The Herpetology Net is great for amphibian work and is particularly suited for mid- to late-summer surveys of amphibian larvae. With a detachable head, lightweight design (allowing one handed operation) and wide shallow mesh bag, every feature of this net has been optimised to benefit the user. The net pole is 2.3 metres in length and is telescopic to aid transport and storage. The net head is 33 cm wide with a shallow mesh bag. As a result the net is readily moved through the water and folds only a little over netted animals. It provides a broad catching basket that can be easily slid at distance under or into vegetation before animals get a chance to move away. As plants are reached and knocked into, the animals tend to move down it.
The net bag does not hang down far and so does not snag easily in brambles, branches or debris on the bottom of ponds. Being light it is quick to manoeuvre and having a very large head surface area, it is extremely effective at catching at distance. There is less ‘wave’ disturbance compared to other nets and less capture of debris and mud too. To clean the net, it can be reversed in seconds by turning over while extended, rather than being brought in for cleaning out and rinsing.
The Herpetology Net is also available as separate Net Head and Handle components.