POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL (New York) 26 October 05 Turtles in running to symbolize N.Y. - Lawmaker asks kids to help pick (Dan Shapley)
The question in some minds is this: What represents New York best, a gnarly, mud-splattered snapping turtle hissing at passing cars, or a timid box turtle folding itself up in its shell?
Is it an endangered species we collectively protect, or a survivor that doesn't need our help?
Assemblyman Joel Miller, R-Poughkeepsie, is asking schoolchildren to help name a reptile as the 13th entry on the state's list of official emblems. It will then take a vote of the Legislature and the signature of the governor to designate an official reptile of New York.
The idea started with Jude Holdsworth, a Pleasant Valley resident who spends many of her days tromping through swamps in hip waders, holding aloft an antenna that picks up radio signals from transmitters she glues to the shells of Blanding's turtles.
"It struck me as ludicrous that we should have an official state muffin," she said, "and not an official state turtle."
New York's animal is the beaver. Its flower is the rose. The official state shell is the bay scallop. And yes, there is a state muffin: — the apple muffin.
Spotlight shifts
The designations generally garner some attention as lawmakers consider them. Before long, they become trivia.
Bluebirds may have benefited from the attention, as bird lovers put up houses for the state bird each spring.
By the time the state designated its official insect in 1989, the native 9-spotted ladybug had been run out of the state by the 7-spotted ladybug from England and the 14-spotted ladybug from Asia.
Twenty states have official reptiles.
In 1972, California be-came the first, when it tapped the desert tortoise, an endangered species.
Alabama, the "lizard state," bypassed lizards completely when it chose the red-bellied turtle as its representative reptile in 1990.
Illinois and Mississippi joined the club this year. In an online election, Illinois voters championed the painted turtle. Mississippi, like Florida and Louisiana before it, favored the alligator.
New York is home to 41 reptilian species — 20 turtles, 17 snakes, four lizards and no alligators. Contrary to the urban legend, alligators do not inhabit New York City's sewers.
Four turtles — the box, painted, snapping and wood turtles — made Miller's short list of candidates because they are among the most common and well known.
He steered clear of more politically charged species, such as the Blanding's turtle and timber rattlesnake, whose threatened status has stalled or stopped development. Besides that, there's no assurance threatened species won't go the way of the 9-spotted ladybug.
Lawmaker prefers turtles
Already under pressure to include a snake in the contest, Miller is sticking to his guns.
"Most people do not view snakes in an affectionate way," he said. "Starting with the biblical stories of Genesis, snakes have not been the most popular, though, frankly, if I met an alligator or a snake in a puddle of water, I'd take the snake."
If pressure mounts in favor of a snake or lizard, Miller said he'd push for a "state turtle" designation rather than a "state reptile" to build consensus.
Before he brings his reptile bill to the capital, he's sending letters to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade classes in his district and elsewhere in the state, urging students to choose their favorite from among the four turtles.
Skip Hoover, a fifth-grade teacher at Krieger Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, is enthusiastic about the idea because it will teach children about the environment and law-making. His class raises baby turtles each year.
"Personally, my choice is the painted turtle because that tends to be what we get here in the classroom, but I think we have to consider the snapping turtle," he said. "I think they're the most resilient, the most vibrant. The snapping turtle is dealing with the changes that are going on in our county and our state better than most."
Miller, who supports the box turtle, is openly opposed to the snapping turtle because of its vicious reputation and monstrous appearance.
"I was hoping the snapping turtle would not win because I don't think that's a great representative of New York state," Miller said, "but we'll give them a shot at it."
He said he would accept the results, whatever the students choose.
Holdsworth wanted to see the Blanding's turtle — which didn't make Miller's short list — designated because added attention might help protect it. As it is, she lobbied to keep the snapping turtle in the running in hopes of improving its image. She said she's satisfied the candidates include wood and box turtles, both of which are in decline.
"It would be nice if the rare species was the official one because whatever turtle makes it is going to get some special attention," she said. "It might help in the conservation efforts."
The contest has the attention of other reptile enthusiasts, or "herpers," as some refer to themselves. Herper comes from the word herpetofauna, meaning reptiles and amphibians.
Allen Salzberg, editor of Herp Digest.org, "the only E-zine that reports on the latest news on herpetological conservation and science," said his first instinct was to favor the box turtle because it is recognizable and a good turtle for students to study.
Then again, he said, the Blanding's turtle is a tantalizing choice because of the potential to "embarrass" the state if the turtle goes extinct.
"Personally, though, I would vote for the common snapping turtle," he said.
"Everyone knows it. It's all over the state. It's a real survivor, ornery — a good symbol for New York," he said. "Or so I think, since I live in New York City. Most people would probably want something prettier."
Turtles in running to symbolize N.Y.

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