About Michael Hobbs & Hobbs Ecology
At Hobbs Ecology, our mission is to protect small animal species and their ecosystems. We specialize in road ecology, tunnel permeability, and the breeding migration of amphibians. Our commitment to safeguarding our natural world drives everything we do. Nature needs our help, and we are here to provide it.
Michael Hobbs has a distinguished background in both education and professional experience. His journey began in the United States Navy as a Plane Captain operating throughout East Asia on the USS Midway. Later, he became an aviation electronics technician in Silicon Valley. As a dedicated single parent and avid traveler, Michael’s passion for environmental conservation grew, leading him to earn his M.Sc. and establish Hobbs Ecology.
Michael’s work as a consultant focuses on designing innovative solutions and capturing critical data in the Bay Area. He holds several patents on the HALT trigger camera, a revolutionary tool that captures images of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and small mammals day and night.
Our expertise in road ecology, tunnel permeability, and breeding migration of amphibians and reptiles positions us as leaders in the field, and we will continue to work tirelessly to create environments where these species can thrive, safer from the threats posed by human infrastructure and activity.
A Message From Our Founder
At Hobbs Ecology, we are dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of small animal species through innovative technologies and informed ecological practices. Our commitment to preserving the natural world drives everything we do, from designing state-of-the-art ecological solutions to capturing critical data that informs conservation efforts.
We believe that every species, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. That’s why we have developed precision tools like the HALT camera trap, which ensures 100% detection of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and small mammals both day and night. This groundbreaking technology allows us to monitor and study these creatures with unprecedented accuracy, providing valuable insights into their behaviors and habitats.
Whether you’re conducting research, implementing conservation initiatives, or seeking to enhance your ecological impact, Hobbs Ecology is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in achieving your ecological goals. Together, we can make a difference and protect the biodiversity that enriches our planet.
– Michael Hobbs
Founder & Ecologist
San Jose, CA
Publications
Cheryl S. Brehme, Jeff A. Tracey, Brittany A.I. Ewing, Michael T. Hobbs, Alan E. Launer, Tritia A. Matsuda, Esther M. Cole Adelsheim, Robert N. Fisher, Responses of migratory amphibians to barrier fencing inform the spacing of road underpasses: a case study with California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) in Stanford, CA, USA, Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 31, 2021, e01857, ISSN 2351-9894, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01857
Hobbs MT, Brehme CS (2017) An improved camera trap for amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and large invertebrates. PLoS ONE 12(10): e0185026
Hobbs, Michael Thomas (2013) Amphibian Mortality on Roads: A Case Study in Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander Habitat. Master’s Theses. 4389
Presentations
Western Section of The Wildlife Society. 2019 Annual Meeting. Tanaya Lodge at Yosemite, CA. An Improved Camera Trap for Amphibians, Reptiles, Small Mammals, and Large Invertebrates. Michael T. Hobbs1* and Cheryl S. Brehme2. 1Wildlife Ecologist, Technologist, San Jose, CA; 2Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, San Diego, CA.
California-Nevada Amphibian Populations Task Force January 11-12, 2018. Auburn, CA. An Improved Camera Trap for Amphibians, Reptiles, Small Mammals, and Large Invertebrates. Michael T. Hobbs1* and Cheryl S. Brehme2. 1Wildlife Ecologist, Technologist, San Jose, CA; 2Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, San Diego, CA.
2014 ESA Annual Meeting August 10-15, 2014 Sacramento, CA. Poster presentation: “Amphibian Mortality on Roads: A Case Study in Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander Habitat” (#48057)
California-Nevada Amphibian Populations Task Force January 8-10, 2014 Pepperdine University, CA. Amphibian Mortality on Roads: A Case Study in Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander Habitat. Michael Hobbs* and Lynne Trulio. Department of Environmental Studies, San José State University, San José, CA.
Patents
Hobbs, Michael (2019) Drift Fence Camera Trap. United States Patent No.: US 10,258,029.
Hobbs, Michael (2018) Tunnel Camera System. United States Patent No.: US 10,015,453.