U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 2145 Key Wallace Dr. Cambridge, MD 21613 410/228 2677 Fax: 410/221 7738 Blackwater Email: [email protected] http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/ National Wildlife U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov Refuge

For Refuge Information 1 800/344 WILD Reptiles & Amphibians Federal Relay Service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1 800/877 8339 Voice and TTY

July 2008

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Northern Redbelly Turtle Rachel Woodward/ USFWS Reptiles The vast marshes and Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates including turtles, snakes and lizards. Reptiles are characterized by bodies bordering swamps of with dry skin (not slimy) and scales, Blackwater National or scutes. They usually lay eggs. Turtles Northern Redbelly Turtle Wildlife Refuge offer (Pseudemys rubriventris), Common, 10-12.5". Has a smooth, elongated shell that is olive-brown to black with ideal living conditions red vertical forked lines. Prefers larger bodies of fresh water and for an array of reptiles basks like the smaller painted turtle. and amphibians. These Largely vegetarian. Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys p. picta), Common, cold-blooded animals 4-7". The most visible turtle on the refuge can be seen in the summer become dormant in and fall basking on logs in both fresh and brackish water. Has a smooth, flattened, olive to black shell with winter, but as spring yellow borders on seams. Limbs and tail are black with red stripes. Feeds approaches, the wetlands on aquatic vegetation, insects and come alive with the other small animals Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina), Common, sounds and activities 4.5-7". This turtle is brown to black all over with highly visible lines of these creatures. of yellow- orange. The turtle’s shell closes completely when limbs All of these animals, are retracted. Can be seen in the woodlands and is a slow and deliberate mover. Feeds on fruits, from the smallest plants and small animals. salamander to the largest snapping turtle, are an important part of the rich assortment of wildlife that reside in the Blackwater ecosystem. Melissa Zarou/ USFWS Zarou/ Melissa Eastern Painted Turtle

Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Maclaclemys t. terrapin), Common, Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Mclaclemys t. terrapin), Common, 4-9". Shell coloration is highly varied with concentric rings of gray, brown, yellow, green, blue or black with spotted gray head and limbs. Inhabits salt marsh and brackish water areas, and likes to bask. Feeds on fish, crustaceans, mollusks and insects.

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Common, 8-18", 10-45 lbs. This large turtle prefers freshwater ponds and marshes. Recognized by light brown to black color, large head, and saw- tooth ridged tail. Aggressive on land, seldom so in water. Feeds on vegetation as well as small animals and carrion. USFWS

Melissa Zarou/USFWS Snapping Turtle Eastern Box Eastern Mud Turtle Turtle (Kinosternon s. subrubrum), Melissa Zarou/USFWS Common, 3-5". Another bottom- Diamondback loving swimming turtle that likes land Turtles are Terrapin as well. Found in brackish marsh and Rachel Woodward/ fresh water. More common than the commonly seen USFWS musk turtle, which it resembles with basking in the its muddy olive to black coloring. sun on the refuge.

Common Musk Turtle Spotted Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Common, (Clemmys guttata), Common, 3.5- 2-5". Aquatic, bottom-loving species 4.5". Small turtle with bright yellow found in freshwater areas. Has two spots on a smooth dark brown or black light stripes on head and markings shell. Inhabits shallow freshwater on chin and throat. Smooth, light areas. Frequently observed on roads olive to black shell. Commonly called in the spring. Likes to bask and is not a stinkpot and named for a musky aggressive. secretion exuded when handled. USFWS Lizards and Northern Fence Lizard Northern Black Racer Skinks (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus) (Coluber c. constrictor), Common, Common, 4-7". Skin is rough, light 36-60". Smooth, black snake with brown to gray with dark vertical/ white on chin and throat. Active horizontal bands on back and tail. during day. Feeds on rodents, birds, Favorite habitats are rotting stumps snakes, frogs and insects. and logs. Tree climbers that feed on insects and other invertebrates. Black Racer Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus), Uncommon, Ground Skink 22-32". Pale green-bodied, semi- (Scincella lateralis), Uncommon, aquatic and an excellent climber. Food 3-6". A small, brown skink with a dark consists of spiders, small insects and stripe on back. As name implies, this their larvae. skink is terrestrial and seldom climbs. Will enter shallow water to escape Eastern Garter Snake predators and feeds on insects. (Thamnophis s. sirtalis), Common, 18-26". This dark-colored snake with Five-lined Skink three yellow stripes down its body is (Eumeces fasciatus), Common, common in fields, woods and marsh 5-8.5". A smooth, olive to black edge habitats. Feeds on small animals body, and black with white to yellow from earthworms to frogs. striping. Mainly terrestrial, but may occasionally climb trees. Prefers a Eastern Hognose Snake damp habitat of cutover woodlands (Heterodon platirhinos), Uncommon, with rotting stumps or logs. 20-33". A hissing snake with upturned snout and varied coloration. Broadhead Skink Underside of tail is lighter than body. (Eumeces laticeps), Common, Prefers sandy areas. Feeds mainly on 6.5-12.8". A distinctive, large, tree- toads; also eats frogs, tadpoles and dwelling skink that has olive-brown insects. body and orange-red head. Eastern Kingsnake Snakes Black Rat Snake (Lampropeltis g. getula), Common, (Elaphe o. obsoleta), Common, 42-72". 36-48". A shiny, black snake with A shiny black snake with white chin cream chained crossbands and white/ and throat, and checkered belly. yellow checkered throat and chin. A large snake usually seen on Secretive and terrestrial, though the ground, though an likes to swim in borders of swamps. excellent climber. Nocturnal in hot weather. Eats Kills prey by snakes, turtle eggs, rodents and birds. constriction. Redbelly Water Snake (Nattrix e. erythrogaster), Common, 30-48". This thick-bodied snake is reddish-brown above, and red-orange on its belly. The lower half of the head is usually orange, with a yellow throat patch. Aquatic, though often wanders well away from water in hot, Black Rat dry weather. Likes to bask on logs or Snake brush and is an adept swimmer and USFWS diver. USFWS Amphibians Amphibians have two pairs of limbs for walking or swimming, and usually moist skin. They have no external scales. Amphibians are salamanders, toads and frogs, and derive their name (amphibious double life) from their adaptation to a life both in the water and on land.

Salamanders and Marbled Salamander Northern Water Snake Newts (Ambystoma opacum), Common, 8.9-10.9". Stout, thick-tailed, and black Northern Water Snake with gray/silver markings and a black (Nerodia s. sipedon), Common, belly. Subterranean except during 24-42". Has red-brown to black brief breeding season in autumn. Eats markings on back and sides on earthworms and other invertebrates. a gray or brown body. Seen in freshwater wetlands, where it eats Redback Salamander frogs, salamanders and small fish. (Plethodon c. cinereus), Common, Aggressive, but not venomous like 2-4". Terrestrial, with red stripe from the Water Moccasin it resembles (not head to tail on a dark body. Nocturnal, found this far north). hiding under objects by day. Feeds on USFWS insects and spiders.

Northern Copperhead USFWS (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen), Red-spotted Newt Uncommon, 24-36". The only (Notophthalmus v. viridescens), venomous snake on the refuge. Has Uncommon, 2.3-4.8". Has black ringed copper brown crossbands on a light or reddish spots on an olive body, with medium brown background. Mice are Red-spotted Newt yellowish belly. Largely aquatic, its principal food. except in the land stage, or red eft. Copperhead May remain active all winter in aquatic form, even under ice.

Other reptiles Red-eared Slider (Turtle) Toads Eastern Spadefoot that may occur (Trachemys scripta elegans) (Scaphiopus h. holbrookii), Common, on the refuge: 2-3.5". Smooth skin, bulging eyes, Southern Ringneck Snake and a horny black spade on hind feet. (Diadophis p. punctatus) Found in areas with sandy soil.

Eastern Ribbon Snake Fowler’s Toad (Thamnophis s. sauritus) (Bufo woodhouseii fowleri), Common, 2-3". Abundant throughout all refuge Eastern Worm Snake habitats. Has three or more warts (Carphophis a. amoenus) on back on a brown/olive body. Eats insects. Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis t. triangulum) Frogs Northern Cricket Frog (Acris c. crepitans), Common, Corn Snake .3-1.4"A small non-climbing frog with (Elaphe g. guttata) dark stripe on thigh. Lives in water with cover vegetation.

Northern Spring Peeper U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Pseudacris c. crucifer) Common, Blackwater is one of more than 550 .8-1.3". Small swamp or wet woods national wildlife refuges administered frog with smooth tan/brown skin and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. a brown X on back. Seldom seen, The National Wildlife Refuge but piping call is heard in breeding System is a network of lands and season. waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and wildlife Chorus Frog habitat, and represents the most (Pseudacris triseriata feriarum), comprehensive wildlife management Common, .8-1.5". Small treefrog with program in the world. Units of the three dark stripes down body. Live in USFWS system stretch across the United shallow water and low vegetation. States from northern Alaska to

the Florida Keys and include small Green Treefrog islands of the Caribbean and South (Hyla cinerea), Common, 1.3-2.3". A Pacific. The character of refuges is as long-legged, smooth-skinned, vivid diverse as the nation itself. green frog seen in trees and fresher wetlands. The Service also manages national Green Treefrog fish hatcheries, and provides federal Gray Treefrog leadership in habitat protection, (Hyla versicolor and Hyla fish and wildlife research, technical chrysoscelis),Common, 1.3-2". Gray assistance and the conservation and and warty, dark blotch on back, and protection of migratory birds, certain white spots below eyes. Seen in small marine mammals, and threatened and

USFWS trees and shrubs. endangered species.

Bullfrog Reptile & Ammphibian guides are (Rana catesbeiana), Common, 3.5-6". available for further reference at the A large frog with a bright green head visitor’s desk as well as the refuge and green/brown body with dark library. splotches. Lives in large bodies of fresh water. Feeds on insects. Bullfrog Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia),Common, 2-3.5". Has a pointy nose, white belly, and oval spots on body. Lives in fresh water and marsh edge habitats.

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris),Common, 1.75-3". Has square spots in parallel rows down back and yellow/orange on inner surface of hind legs. Lives in fresh water, brackish marsh, fields and wood margins. Other Eastern Narrowmouth Toad amphibians that (Gastrophryne carolinensis) may occur on the refuge: Green Frog (Rana clamitans melanota)