Frogs, Turtles & Snakes

PART VIII: SPECIES MANAGEMENT FROGS, TURTLES & SNAKES ichigan reptiles include turtles, recent years declining numbers of some snakes, and one lizard species. amphibians and reptiles have resulted in MMichigan amphibians include state and federal laws designed to protect frogs, toads, and salamanders. Much of them. Reasons for the decline are var- the time we are not aware of these crea- ied and complex. They include the tures; when we are aware, their presence fragmentation and destruction of sometimes annoys or frightens us. wetland areas; exploitation by people Snakes, in particular, have been the sub- for food, pet trade, fishing bait, and other ject of unwarranted fear and preju- purposes; direct persecution by humans; dice, but fortunately this attitude is begin- and exposure to environmental contami- ning to change. Reptiles and amphibians nation. Pesticides entering the water are important to study because they are where many of these creatures live can damp meadows sensitive to subtle environmental changes impact their ability to survive. These with permanent ponds, such as water quality or ozone depletion in chemicals can also contaminate their food painted turtle but tree frogs, wood the atmosphere that permits more ultravi- source (insects) or eliminate it altogether. frogs, spring peepers, olet light to reach the earth from the sun. Because amphibians breathe through and many salamanders As "environmental indicators", reptiles and their skin, they are especially sensitive to inhabit shady wet amphibians help us to monitor these and toxins in the air or water. woodlands with temporary seasonal other changes that may eventually be ponds. harmful to us. Overall Habitat Because most frogs, turtles, and They also play an essential role in our Considerations Amphibians and most reptiles require snakes require different habitats at various ecosystem. Frogs, toads, lizards, and times of the year, they become vulnerable some snakes can destroy large quantities moist lowland areas that have available water at least on a seasonal basis. Turtles when travel is involved. Roadway traffic, of harmful insects. The larger snakes eat for example, claims large numbers of mice, rats, and other rodents. Some tur- usually inhabit permanent water resources such as lakes, ponds, or slow-moving migrating breeders in the spring. When tles act as scavengers in lakes and ponds, their habitat needs are in close proximity and others prey on snails, which act as parts of rivers. Aquatic snakes spend much of their lives in and near the shallow to each other, the need to travel lessens intermediate hosts for parasites, including reducing mortality. Neighboring property the one that causes "swimmer's itch." edges of lakes and streams. Frogs, toads, and most salamanders lay their eggs in owners can often cooperate to restore, Reptiles and amphibians provide an protect, or create new critical habitats. To important food source for other animals water and spend the early part of their lives as gill-breathing larvae or tadpoles. do this you can: including fish and birds. These creatures • Provide sun-basking opportunities are interesting to observe and study, and Many breed in temporary ponds such as vernal pools and other shallow wetlands such as logs, boulders, and other most species carry out their eco- objects that these animals seek. logical roles without conflict free of fish. Some frogs remain in or near with people. lakes and ponds, but others disperse into surrounding areas. • Allow leaf litter to accumulate, and leave rotting logs and downed The Michigan Department of Leopard frogs, for example, prefer branches in woodlots and woodland Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and pools. Wildlife Service administer programs that help us to understand and manage Garter • Provide plants in ponds, marshes, amphibian and reptile populations. In Snake and other bodies of water. Amphibians in particular rely on sub- mergent aquatic plants (water plan- tain, coontail, and bladderwort) to support their egg masses, to act as nursery areas for larvae, and to offer feeding areas for adults. They use emergent plants (cattails, waterlilies, sedges, and rushes) for protection against predators. Managing Habitat for Frogs, Toads and Salamanders Although more than 3,400 species of toads and frogs occur worldwide, only 14 live in Michigan, and two of them -- the Frog and Turtle Pond Blanchard's cricket frog and the boreal chorus frog of Isle Royale -- are uncom- lay their eggs on submerged sticks and mon. Michigan is also home to eight plants. However, the green frog and bull- Landowners interested in building species of salamanders, including the frog lay their eggs in a large mass that ponds should consider creating them Eastern newt. Rare species, protected by floats on the surface or attaches to vege- broad, weedy, and shallow, and plant nat- the Endangered Species Act, are the mar- tation. The mudpuppy uses rocks in ural vegetation along at least part of the bled salamander and the smallmouth sala- warm, shallow water for its nest chamber. pond margin. Surrounding the pond with mander. The four-toed salamander is especially beach sand or mowing to the water's adapted to boggy cedar swamps contain- edge will be of little or no use to amphib- Water is critical for population survival ing sphagnum moss where it lays its eggs. ians. Because many larger frogs (bull- because these creatures seek shallow frogs, green frogs, and leopard frogs) wetlands and vernal pools in which to Other species with specialized habitat hibernate in the bottom of ponds and breed and lay their eggs. When the shal- needs or unusual life cycles include: lakes, you should provide an area deeper low wetlands remain wet, and are free than five feet to prevent the water from from egg and larvae-eating fish, most •The mink frog lives in ponds, bogs, freezing to the bottom in winter. Avoid young, gill-breathing amphibians will lakes and slow-moving streams of the stocking ponds or lakes with fish that will make the transition from egg to larvae to Upper Peninsula. eat amphibian eggs and larvae. Consider adult in one summer. Dry years can result building two ponds -- one for game fish in very few eggs or hatchlings, or minimal •The eastern newt hatches into a and one for amphibians. survivability to adulthood. Species that do larval form in shallow water, trans- not require a large wet area may lay their forms into a land-loving juvenile, and Salamanders consume worms, snails, eggs in ditches with just enough water to then at two years of age or older slugs, and both waterborne and terrestrial encourage breeding. becomes a fin-tailed adult that returns insects. In the woodlands, salamanders to water. seek leaf mold, decaying logs, and moist Most frogs, toads, and salamanders spots under rocks for food and shelter. •The pickerel frog prefers cool, unpolluted water and will not inhabit Frogs and toads eat insects, spiders, Spotted Salamander bogs, lakes, or streams with excessive and mites. Leaving leaf litter and rotten nutrients, suspended sediments, or logs in your woods will provide frogs and contaminants. toads with important cover. Toads in particular are beneficial to gardeners because •The Fowler's toad lives in open they consume insects harmful to flowers, woods and sandy-soiled fields located vegetables and other plants. Attract toads along southern Lake Michigan sand by placing an old stump or hollow log in dunes with ponds and wetlands. your garden. Propping up pieces of wood FROGS, TURTLES & SNAKES Kirtland's and around tree roots, and cracks in old northern copper- house and barn foundations as places belly inhabit wet for hibernation. meadows, tama- rack swamps, •Keep grasses uncut along the river-bottoms, water's edge, which provides cover. woodland ponds, and open swamp- You may wish to create a snake hiber- forests in the nation mound for use along the forest Toad Home: Create by placing a shallow depression under southernmost edge. It is essentially an underground flat rocks. To create an entrance, punch a hole in an 8-inch counties of the brushpile designed to provide burrow sites flower pot and slide into depression. Lower Peninsula. for hibernating snakes. Build these or turning a flowerpot on its side will also mounds along forest openings, road cuts, give toads a damp, shady daytime haunt. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake timber landings, or any land clearing with frequents marshes and swamps but will slash and stumps. It is important that Managing Habitat move into meadows and woodlands in sunlight reaches the mound so it should for Snakes summer. Wet meadows, marshes, and be located on the north side of a clearing. Reptiles do not have a water-depen- the grassy edges of lakes and streams are dent larval stage as do amphibians, but preferred by the butler's garter snake, Trees on the site should be cut to many species live in or near wetlands and northern ribbon snake, blue racer, eastern approximately 12 to 18 inches above the waterways where they find food and shel- fox snake, and the eastern smooth green ground level. Then cut the trunks into 10- ter. Creating, restoring, or enhancing wet- snake. The northern ringneck snake and lands is generally beneficial to snakes and black rat snake like moist woodlands. The turtles too. Aquatic snakes spend much of hognose snake and western fox snake their time in or near the shallower edges inhabit open sandy woodlands and wood- of lakes and streams. Uplands are also ed dunes. favored by most snakes, all lizards, and the eastern box turtle. Michigan's most common snake, the eastern garter, occupies open woodlands, Michigan is home to 17 species of meadows and old fields. Also preferring snakes. Seven species lay eggs; the other these habitats are the brown snake, the 10 bear their young live.

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