Bob Thomas, environmental communications professor, took his environmental studies students and a few others on a nighttime frog walk through Jean Lafitte Park April 22.
Thomas is an expert on the frogs, spiders, alligators and plant life found in the swamps. Having the walk at night gave the group a glimpse of those specimens at their favorite time to hunt.
During the walk, students got the chance to stare alligators, no more than 10 feet away, in the face with flashlights as Thomas explained how to tell an alligator’s age. The group was joined on the boardwalk with creatures like the fishing spider and the Lubber grasshopper. Thomas warned everyone to watch their feet because the swamps are also home to venomous snakes.
The experts of the group stood out as they identified the frogs by their Latin name at first sight. One student pointed out that a green tree frog is actually a “Hyla cinerea”.
Whitney Gentry, biology junior, was excited about venturing out that night.
“Although this is required, it is still fun to get out there and see frogs,” Gentry said.
Gentry wants to be an exotic animal veterinarian, but is interested in any kind of life. “I love doing recreational things like this. It is cool to listen for different species of frogs and trying to identify them,” she said.
Thomas has been doing the “frog walk” for six years to teach his students about the erosion of coastal wetlands and the variety of life out after the sun goes down.
Many people are frightened of dark, wooded areas, but Thomas is a veteran of solo nature walking.
“It comes naturally. I’m not reckless about it. In fact, I’m very guarded and cautious. But, the thrill of the experience is intoxicating,” he said.
Thomas compares his fascination with the wetland creatures to collecting. He loves learning about the life histories and ecological needs of the critters, then finding as many species as he can.
Tulane ecology and evolutionary biology junior Anat Belasen takes Thomas’ herpetology class and said, “The only time I was scared was when I ventured off the trail toward the canal to try and grab a frog that I thought was a different species from the ones we’d been seeing. I got a little nervous that an alligator was waiting for me nearby.”
Her favorite part of the walk was the rare sight of the barred owl.
“Although I love herps, and especially frogs, I’ve never seen an owl in the wild. Hearing the owl’s hoot was great, and then actually seeing it in a tree was amazing. I didn’t realize how big it would be,” Belasen said .
Not many people get to hear a bull frog croak, see lightning bugs or spy on an alligator searching for its meal, but the opportunity is available at the Jean Lafitte Coquille Trail. This trip with Thomas was Belasen’s favorite walk.
“I love seeing the cypress trees and all of the wildlife,” she said. “At night, it’s a completely different experience.”
