A herpetologist tags 30 crocodiles in a river system. Each year, the population increases by 20%, but 5 tagged crocodiles are lost to migration or mortality annually. How many total crocodiles (including tagged) are present at the end of 3 years, assuming tagged individuals are not replaced and population growth applies to the entire population?

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:20:42 +0000

**How a Herpetologist’s Tagging Effort Tells a Larger Story About River Ecosystems — and What’s Actually Happening Beneath the Surface** Imagine glimpsing a remote river system where a herpetologist carefully tags 30 crocodiles, each one a quiet witness to nature’s rhythm. For one researcher, this act isn’t just a field task—it’s part of a broader effort to track how reptile populations adapt in changing environments. Every year, the overall crocodile population grows by 20%, yet five tagged individuals fade each year due to natural loss, migration, or mortality—creating a dynamic balance far from simple population math. What unfolds over three years reveals not just figures, but insights into ecological resilience, conservation science, and the metrics shaping wildlife research. --- **Why the Tagging of 30 Crocodiles Matters in US Conservation Conversations**