Dr. Whit Gibbons

Abstract
Among the eastern states, Kentucky has its share of reptiles and amphibians, the hidden diversity of the Southeast and the unsung heroes as indicators of environmental health and regional biodiversity. Snakes and salamanders are superb sentinels of environmental quality because of their high position on the food chain as top predators. Lots of snakes and salamanders mean healthy habitats. The presence of turtles on land or in lakes and rivers can also provide measures of environmental condition, based on the health of individuals and their regional biodiversity. And all reptiles and amphibians serve important ecological roles in the food webs of southeastern systems. Taking a closer look at these creatures of the wild provides insight not only into wildlife ecology but about society and environmental attitudes.