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Snagging sneaky salamanders

A bullfrog tadpoles was found in a mesh trap at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range near Wedgefield, S.C., Jan. 12, 2018. Although no tiger salamanders were caught, there was a healthy amount of bullfrog tadpoles. In many cases, multiple species are caught in the traps giving biologist a general idea of what is in the wetlands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman)

Snagging sneaky salamanders

Hutch Collins, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron threatened and endangered species biologist, heads out to the wetlands at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range near Wedgefield, S.C., Jan. 11, 2018. Collins planned to catch tiger salamanders, an endangered species native to S.C. As a biologist, it is Collins duty to help protect different species on federal land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman)

Snagging sneaky salamanders

Hutch Collins, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron threatened and endangered species biologist, sets a glow stick into a mesh trap at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range near Wedgefield, S.C., Jan. 11, 2018. The glow sticks attract tiger salamanders at night with their bright colors. The traps have an empty plastic bottle to help the trap float in case any animals need extra air to breathe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman)

Snagging sneaky salamanders

Hutch Collins, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron threatened and endangered species biologist, walks away without catching any tiger salamanders at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range near Wedgefield, S.C., Jan. 11, 2018. Collins caught species, such as bullfrog tadpoles, in the traps, but Collins will continue to set out traps in effort to catch a tiger salamander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman)

Snagging sneaky salamanders

Published Jan. 17, 2018
By Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman
20TH Fighter Wing

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Swampy wetlands cover the ground with slippery creatures lurking below. The smell of sulfur fills the air as the tall dry grass rustles in the wind. Somewhere in the midst, black creatures with yellow spots called tiger salamanders, an endangered species of South Carolina, slithers around the abyss.

Hutch Collins, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron threatened and endangered species biologist, sets out to capture these sneaky creatures in order to record if they are repopulating or decreasing in numbers at Poinsett near Wedgdfield, South Carolina.

Tiger salamanders fall under the Sikes Act and are considered state endangered species. The Sikes Act directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out conservation programs that recognize the importance and value of military lands to natural resources. The ecosystems are protected, while still allowing the land to meet military operations.

The Air Force is a good steward of natural resources not just here at Poinsett, but other locations as well,” said Collins. We are here to support the Sikes Act and any endangered species.

To catch tiger salamanders, Collins sets traps in the water that are similar to traps commercially used to catch crayfish.

The traps are made of a soft mesh with small holes to prevent anything caught from being injured or stuck. Inside of the trap is an empty bottle used to keep the mesh afloat in case species like turtles or snakes make their way into the trap and need air to breathe. Additionally, there are glow sticks placed in the traps to attract the salamanders at night.

Tiger salamanders are nocturnal animals, so the light from the glow stick attracts them at night,” said Collins. In the morning we go out, check the traps, and record what we find then release it back into the wild.

Regardless of what is caught, the traps help determine what is breeding in the wetland. Amphibians are used as indicators of environmental integrity such as contaminates or pollutants, because they are some of the first animals to be affected.

At the end of the day, the tiger salamanders snuck away. Collins may have not caught what he planned but did catch a healthy amount of bull frog tadpoles. His journey to catch the sneaky salamander continues as he sets additional traps and waits patiently for his slippery friends.