Herpetology B/C

[Kyanite]

Thank you. I'm a bit confused now. On the handout and old tests, apparently you need to distinguish between different species, but in the FAQ, you really don't need to. Plus, you need to relate species with similar distributions, categorize into venomous vs. nonvenomous, some special features. But where do they get this information? For some of the snakes there is barely any information on the internet. Apparently there was herpetology last year. Can anyone give me a summary of what really goes on in the test (Regionals first, please), and what to really study? I don't quite understand.

You SHOULD NOT have to distinguish between species and give info about them.
For info, I recommend field guides, they have lots of info in one place.
The test is usually stations (there was no herpetology last year), so if you have done invasive species or any other ID event, it should look like that.
If you look at the rules, it tells you what to study.

I believe Herpetology was a Trial event in NY if I remember correctly so I beleive that is what they are referring to. For testing, so far out of the two tests I have taken and the one I have written it has all been - - - "Identify the Genus Shown" "Identify the Family shown" "Is this genus opviviaporus?" "Label all the bones in this diagram" "What is the state amphibian of California?" "What environment does this specimen live in?"
Also as Froggie said Field Guides are good for testing but it you want to really do well I recommend making your own notes or getting notes from your teammates.
And as I interpret the FAQ about specific species, tests can ask specific questions about species (ie the axolotl) but they would have to say "why is the axolotl important to science?" and not ask you to identify the specimen down to the name axolotl.

[matematika]

Thank you. I'm a bit confused now. On the handout and old tests, apparently you need to distinguish between different species, but in the FAQ, you really don't need to. Plus, you need to relate species with similar distributions, categorize into venomous vs. nonvenomous, some special features. But where do they get this information? For some of the snakes there is barely any information on the internet. Apparently there was herpetology last year. Can anyone give me a summary of what really goes on in the test (Regionals first, please), and what to really study? I don't quite understand.

You SHOULD NOT have to distinguish between species and give info about them.
For info, I recommend field guides, they have lots of info in one place.
The test is usually stations (there was no herpetology last year), so if you have done invasive species or any other ID event, it should look like that.
If you look at the rules, it tells you what to study.

I believe Herpetology was a Trial event in NY if I remember correctly so I beleive that is what they are referring to. For testing, so far out of the two tests I have taken and the one I have written it has all been - - - "Identify the Genus Shown" "Identify the Family shown" "Is this genus opviviaporus?" "Label all the bones in this diagram" "What is the state amphibian of California?" "What environment does this specimen live in?"
Also as Froggie said Field Guides are good for testing but it you want to really do well I recommend making your own notes or getting notes from your teammates.
And as I interpret the FAQ about specific species, tests can ask specific questions about species (ie the axolotl) but they would have to say "why is the axolotl important to science?" and not ask you to identify the specimen down to the name axolotl.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Just a clarification - for distributions, is it only in North America? Also, for state animals, obviously at Nationals they will test any state, but if you lived in Alaska, for example, would they only test Alaska's state reptile/amphibian? I know that they might go like, "What is animal A's state?", but I mean questions like "What is the state amphibian/reptile of _______?"

[Kyanite]

You SHOULD NOT have to distinguish between species and give info about them.
For info, I recommend field guides, they have lots of info in one place.
The test is usually stations (there was no herpetology last year), so if you have done invasive species or any other ID event, it should look like that.
If you look at the rules, it tells you what to study.

I believe Herpetology was a Trial event in NY if I remember correctly so I beleive that is what they are referring to. For testing, so far out of the two tests I have taken and the one I have written it has all been - - - "Identify the Genus Shown" "Identify the Family shown" "Is this genus opviviaporus?" "Label all the bones in this diagram" "What is the state amphibian of California?" "What environment does this specimen live in?"
Also as Froggie said Field Guides are good for testing but it you want to really do well I recommend making your own notes or getting notes from your teammates.
And as I interpret the FAQ about specific species, tests can ask specific questions about species (ie the axolotl) but they would have to say "why is the axolotl important to science?" and not ask you to identify the specimen down to the name axolotl.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Just a clarification - for distributions, is it only in North America? Also, for state animals, obviously at Nationals they will test any state, but if you lived in Alaska, for example, would they only test Alaska's state reptile/amphibian? I know that they might go like, "What is animal A's state?", but I mean questions like "What is the state amphibian/reptile of _______?"

I prepared my notes for worldwide when considering distributions but with a special focus on North America (But I have already had a question on location in China). I personally have prepared a list that includes the state reptile and state amphibian for every US state that has one. Though its to be expected that test writers may be more partial to specimens from their state you should still prepare for every possible question to be asked.

[matematika]

Quick question. Looking at the pictures of musk and mud turtles, is the difference the number of claws (5 vs. 4)? Also, what is the difference between cooters and redbellies (turtles)?

[Froggie]

Quick question. Looking at the pictures of musk and mud turtles, is the difference the number of claws (5 vs. 4)?

Looking at pictures on the internet, it looks like they both have 5 claws (I could be wrong). Also looking at pictures on the internet, it looks like mud turtles have more of a pointed face.

Another question: Looking at some tests from the test exchange, some questions say "What is the common name?" and the answers say, for example, "King and Milk snakes", like how it is on the list. Is this how I am supposed to answer these question or should I write just "King snake" or just "Milk snake"?

[Angrycatipillar]

oops. Cant delete this apparently. My b. please ignore.

[Canderone]

Okay, so when you look up rosy boa and rubber boa up online and in textbooks, it lists them in different genera. However, on the rules sheet, it just lists them both under Charina, which is the genus for only the rubber boa. This seems to happen a lot throughout the Official National List for 2018. What should I do during competition? Pls help.

[Froggie]

Okay, so when you look up rosy boa and rubber boa up online and in textbooks, it lists them in different genera. However, on the rules sheet, it just lists them both under Charina, which is the genus for only the rubber boa. This seems to happen a lot throughout the Official National List for 2018. What should I do during competition? Pls help.

Always put what it says on the list, because most likely the proctors will be looking at the list when creating the test.

[Canderone]

Okay, so when you look up rosy boa and rubber boa up online and in textbooks, it lists them in different genera. However, on the rules sheet, it just lists them both under Charina, which is the genus for only the rubber boa. This seems to happen a lot throughout the Official National List for 2018. What should I do during competition? Pls help.

Always put what it says on the list, because most likely the proctors will be looking at the list when creating the test.

It's so frustrating because many of the resources contradict each other and it is saying the hydrophiidae is a subfamily of elapidae, but the list says they are separate families altogether. But thanks!

[Kyanite]

Quick question. Looking at the pictures of musk and mud turtles, is the difference the number of claws (5 vs. 4)?

Looking at pictures on the internet, it looks like they both have 5 claws (I could be wrong). Also looking at pictures on the internet, it looks like mud turtles have more of a pointed face.

Another question: Looking at some tests from the test exchange, some questions say "What is the common name?" and the answers say, for example, "King and Milk snakes", like how it is on the list. Is this how I am supposed to answer these question or should I write just "King snake" or just "Milk snake"?

That is what I would do.