Turtles and amphibians of southern Haiti

The Audubon Center appreciates all nature, not just birds.  Here are some photos of turtles and frogs found in the Les Cayes area.  Does any one know which species they are?

Frogs A & B - This is the invasive species the Cane toad, or Marine toad.  They secret a toxin that can kill small mammals and harm humans, and they eat Haiti's native animals. 

C'est l'espèce invasive le crapaud de canne, ou crapaud marin. Ils secrète une toxine qui peut tuer les petits mammifères et les humains de nuire, et ils mangent les animaux indigènes d'Haïti. 


Frog C is most likely Eleutherodactylus abbotti.

The turtle is most likely Trachemys stejnegeri, though the range map on CaribHerp indicates it may be the other native freshwater turtle Trachemys decorata.

Frog A - Etang Lachaux

Frog A - Etang Lachaux

Frog B - Etang Laborde

Frog C - Les Cayes.

Frog C - Les Cayes.

Frog C - Les Cayes.

Turtle A

Turtle A

Turtle A

 

A 1931 Book of Birds of Haiti

I recently purchased the 1931 book 'The Birds of Haiti and the Dominican Republic' by Alexander Wetmore and Bradshaw H. Swales.  The book begins with a review of natural history surveys done on the island since the arrival of Columbus.  Then gives a summary of the avifauna in various regions of the island.  It also gives accounts of the bird species found on the island.  My attention was drawn to references of parrots and parakeets being common.  There are some black and white photos from the 1927 birding expedition, as well as black and white illustrations of some of the birds.  I plan to compare the bird list in this book with that of the 2006 Princeton Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  Visit the Audubon Center Facebook page for photos from this glimpse into history.  https://www.facebook.com/audubonhaiti