I just had this thought, how does everyone feel about handling herps for photos for iNat? Sure it might cause some stress to the animal (I have nothing to prove this, just assuming), but the photo will contribute to citizen science and perhaps if there are others with you who aren’t really into natu…

The topic, in my opinion, is not about just handling reptiles or amphibians, but handling them for iNat. This means handling them to take photos and share them. Sharing photos of wildlife handling without proper context (rescuing, research, etc.) gives the idea that it’s ok to do it. This encourages…

I often catch and handle green anoles and Mediterranean house geckos when they come inside my mother’s house or mine. I’ll photograph them for iNaturalist before releasing them outside. I plan to continue to do so for their safety (my mom has a cat and a dog, we both have vaccuums and other hazard…

My initiation into nature study and a career as a biologist was by catching herps as a kid. Still enjoy it occasionally today. I wouldn’t deny that to some youngster who might be developing an interest in biology. Yes, there are concerns today about transmission of chytrid fungus in amphibians and…

I use a tub, like a sandwich meat tub, cup, or clear ice cream tubs and place it over the animal and slide a paper under it. I do this with all of the little critters that come in our house and I can easily take close up pictures, plus it makes it easy to release them. This is especially helpful wit…

I chose “depends” so here’s my comment. First, I’ll say I tend to avoid handling herps and other organisms. However, I sometimes dig up snakes in my garden and want to show them to my wife (or rarely visitors). For that purpose, I don’t see a problem. I can understand how, like handling bird nes…

Oh, I do that with arthropods! Now that you’ve said it, it seems so obvious. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to do it with vertebrates too.

I am confused by your interpretation of “ethics”. What does it mean for you? For me ethics is about values, fairness, and responsibility. If there is a concern of health and safety, then to me it clearly becomes one of ethical consideration.

Here - ethical in terms of animal welfare

My post was not intended to communicate my “interpretation” of ethics. It was intended to remind people that, whatever their opinion on the ethics ot handling herpetofauna, there are superceding reasons to refrain from, or minimize, indulgence in said activity. The question of handling wildlife does…

I don’t see the link between wildlife selfie tourism and iNaturalist. Yes, people do this. And people regularly trample patches of breeding plants to get their “Easter Photos” or photos of babies in wildflowers. As for people trying to take selfies with a real wild anaconda, that’s a mistake the…

Poll: is handling herps for iNat ethical?

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Poll: is handling herps for iNat ethical?

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