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Presentation:
"Creatures
of the Shadows, Michigan’s Salamanders and Lizards"
Presentation:
"Creatures
of the Shadows, Michigan’s Salamanders and Lizards " -
Due to their secretive nature, Michigan's
10 species of salamanders – and two species of look-alike, but
unrelated lizards – are often overlooked and unappreciated even
by many "nature-loving" folks. Jim Harding, Michigan State
University herpetologist and zoology instructor who literally
wrote the book on Michigan amphibians and reptiles, brings his
wealth of knowledge on these unusual creatures, and offers a
unique window into the world of these silent and inconspicuous –
but ecologically important – animals. Those attending Harding’s
presentation will learn about their abundance and status in
Michigan, plus many interesting facts about their lives, habitat
needs and adaptations for survival.
Jim Harding
James H. Harding is recognized as
one of Michigan’s most knowledgeable experts on Michigan’s
amphibians and reptiles. He is an instructor in Michigan State
University’s Department of Zoology and the natural history
outreach specialist for the MSU Museum. Jim received his
bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Department of Fisheries
and Wildlife at Michigan State University. He teaches the MSU
undergraduate course "Biology of Reptiles and Amphibians." Jim
is a research herpetologist specializing in the conservation
biology of turtles. He has conducted long-term research on the
biology of the wood turtle in northern Michigan, and also has
on-going research on the Blanding’s turtle and the Eastern box
turtle. He is also a trained interpretive naturalist and spent
nine years as the naturalist at the Cranbrook Institute of
Science in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. He is the author or co-author
of four popular books on reptiles and amphibians (listed below),
and has written many articles for academic journals, newspapers
and magazines. His expertise and advice is often sought by
natural resource agencies and private organizations in their
management and conservation efforts to protect Michigan’s
reptiles and amphibians. Jim presently chairs the Michigan’s
Technical Advisory Committee on Amphibians and Reptiles, which
reports to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Books:
Michigan Snakes (A field guide and pocket reference).
Holman, J.A., J.H. Harding, M.M. Hensley, and G.R. Dudderar.
1989. Michigan State University, Cooperative Extension Service,
Pub. E-2000. 72 pp.
Michigan Turtles and Lizards. Harding, J.H. and J.A.
Holman, 1990. Michigan State University, Cooperative Extension
Service and MSU Museum,. 96 pp.
Michigan Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders, Harding, J.H. and
J.A. Holman. 1992. Michigan State University, Cooperative
Extension Service and MSU Museum. Extension Bull. E-2350. 144
pp.
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region.
Harding, J.H. 1997. University of Michigan Press. 378 pp.
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