AA guideguide toto thethe ReptilesReptiles andand AmphibiansAmphibians ofof UniversityUniversity FarmFarm
Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms Case Western Reserve University Dr. Ana B. Locci, Director
Prepared by Jacob R. G. Kribel, June 2005 ImportantImportant notesnotes onon thisthis guideguide
ThisThis isis anan introductoryintroductory guideguide toto thethe reptilereptile andand amphibianamphibian speciesspecies ofof UniversityUniversity farm.farm. ItIt listslists thethe speciesspecies presentpresent oror possiblypossibly present,present, andand attemptsattempts toto provideprovide baselinebaseline informationinformation thatthat willwill bebe usefuluseful toto anyoneanyone wishingwishing toto learnlearn moremore aboutabout thethe reptilesreptiles && amphibiansamphibians foundfound here.here. TheThe physicalphysical descriptionsdescriptions areare ofof thethe mostmost commoncommon forms,forms, asas therethere isis variationvariation withinwithin somesome species.species. MakeMake suresure youyou havehave aa goodgood fieldfield guideguide inin handhand beforebefore settingsetting offoff toto discoverdiscover thethe reptilesreptiles && amphibiansamphibians ofof thethe farm!farm! ImportantImportant notesnotes onon thisthis guideguide
ThroughoutThroughout thisthis guideguide youyou willwill findfind notesnotes onon thethe conservationconservation statusstatus ofof species,species, bothboth inin thethe statestate ofof OhioOhio andand worldwide.worldwide. Extirpated: A species that occurred in Ohio at the time of European settlement and has since disappeared from the state. Extinct: A species that occurred in Ohio at the time of European settlement and has since disappeared worldwide. Endangered: A species in immediate danger of becoming extirpated or extinct. Threatened: A species that, with increased or continued danger, will become endangered. Species of Concern: A species that, with increased or continued danger, will become threatened. Currently,Currently, therethere areare nono reptilesreptiles oror amphibiansamphibians ofof OhioOhio thatthat areare listedlisted asas extirpatedextirpated oror extinct.extinct. ClassClass ReptiliaReptilia -- ReptilesReptiles
ColdCold bloodedblooded YoungYoung hatchhatch fromfrom eggseggs YoungYoung areare ““miniatureminiature adultsadults””,, resemblingresembling adultsadults inin appearanceappearance fromfrom thethe momentmoment theythey hatchhatch SkinSkin coveredcovered withwith scales,scales, shieldsshields oror platesplates ToesToes havehave clawsclaws (except(except thethe leatherbackleatherback seasea turtle)turtle) IncludesIncludes crocodilians,crocodilians, turtles,turtles, lizards,lizards, andand snakessnakes Source: http://www.naturealmanac.com/archive/snappers/sn.jpg Source: serpentina serpentina tail, tail, ” ” Snapping turtle Snapping turtle Chelydridae Chelydridae Cryptodira Cryptodira Chelydra Chelydra Family Family Testudinata Testudinata saw tooth saw tooth “ Reptilia “ Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Found in any permanent body of fresh water Long Observed in most ponds and the fields between them; common on property pointed carapace property Class Found in any permanent body of fresh water Long Observed in most ponds and the fields between them; common on pointed carapace pictalg.jpg keys/images/turtles/c
picta picta Source:http://www.cortland.edu/herp/ Emydidae Chrysemys Chrysemys Emydidae Cryptodira Cryptodira Midland painted turtle Family Family Midland painted turtle Testudinata Testudinata in straight rows in straight rows Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Found in shallow water with soft, muddy bottom Scutes Observed in all ponds; abundant on property on back, yellow spots side of head abundant on property Class Found in shallow water with soft, muddy bottom Scutes Observed in all ponds; on back, yellow spots side of head carolina carolina Species of concern in Ohio stories/coyote/img/2004-10-14/eastern-box-turtle-lg.jpg Source: http://marriageequalityca.org/events/2004/nationalrally/ Source:
carolina carolina Emydidae Emydidae Cryptodira Cryptodira Eastern box turtle Eastern box turtle Family Family Testudinata Testudinata turtle with high turtle with high Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia ” Terrapene Terrapene ” Order Order land land Class Found in wooded areas beneath logs, most mobile after rains Variable coloration; “ One sighting near Wade pond; apparently scarce on property domed shell Class Found in wooded areas beneath logs, most mobile after rains Variable coloration; “ One sighting near Wade pond; apparently scarce on property domed shell VHS/Southeastern%20Five- lined%20Skink%20(Eumeces%20inexpectatus).JPG Source: http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/ fasciatus fasciatus lined skink lined skink - - Five Five Scincidae Scincidae Sauria Eumeces Eumeces Sauria Family Family Squamata Squamata Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Commonly found under or around decaying wood Blue tail of juveniles fades in adulthood One possible sighting reported on the property; likely scarce likely scarce Class Commonly found under or around decaying wood Blue tail of juveniles fades in adulthood One possible sighting reported on the property; ~mcs2/herp/snake.pics/racer.jpg
constrictor constrictor Source: http://www.pitt.edu/ Source: Black racer Black racer constrictor constrictor Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes Family Family Squamata Squamata Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Coluber Coluber Order Class Found in woods and fields, climbs when cornered Plain black on top and bottom One possible sighting reported on the property; likely scarce likely scarce Class Found in woods and fields, climbs when cornered Plain black on top and bottom One possible sighting reported on the property; obsoleta obsoleta 20'02/Elaphe%20obsoleta%20-%209.20.02%20-%20SREL,%20SC%20-%204.jpg Source: http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Field%20trips/SREL% Source:
obsoleta white obsoleta white - - Black rat snake Black rat snake Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes Family Family Squamata Squamata Elaphe Elaphe Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Commonly found in virtually any upland site Black top (sometimes mottled) with gray One possible sighting reported on the property; likely scarce bottom likely scarce Class Commonly found in virtually any upland site Black top (sometimes mottled) with gray One possible sighting reported on the property; bottom sipedon sipedon Source: http://rol.freenet.columbus.oh.us/Reptiles_NWSnake.gif
sipedon sipedon Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes Northern water snake Northern water snake Family Family Squamata Squamata Nerodia Nerodia Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Found in swamps, marshes & edges of streams, ponds and lakes Variable appearance, but this is the only large water snake in the area Observed in several ponds; likely abundant on the property on the property Class Found in swamps, marshes & edges of streams, ponds and lakes Variable appearance, but this is the only large water snake in the area Observed in several ponds; likely abundant Source: http://www.neherp.com/img/jw/queen_snakeC.jpg Source:
septemvittata septemvittata Queen snake Queen snake Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes
Regina Regina Family Family Squamata Squamata Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Found in small stony creeks and rivers Yellow stripe on side, 4 brown stripes on yellow bottom One possible sighting on the property; likely scarce the property; likely scarce Class Found in small stony creeks and rivers Yellow stripe on side, 4 brown stripes on yellow bottom One possible sighting on nophis%20sirtalis%20sirtalis.JPG sirtalis sirtalis Field%20trips/SREL03/Tham Source: http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/ sirtalis sirtalis Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes Eastern garter snake Eastern garter snake Family Family Squamata Squamata Reptilia Suborder Suborder Thamnophis Thamnophis Reptilia Order Order Class Found almost anywhere Variable markings, normally have three yellowish stripes on top/sides with black spots between them Observed in almost every area of property; abundant abundant Class Found almost anywhere Variable markings, normally have three yellowish stripes on top/sides with black spots between them Observed in almost every area of property; dekayi dekayi %20web%20site/Serpentes/Storeria%20dekayi%202.jpg Source: http://www.clemson.edu/cef/Herp%20Images%20for Source:
dekayi dekayi Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes
Storeria Storeria Northern brown snake Family Family Northern brown snake Squamata Squamata Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Found in urban and moist rural sites, though often hiding Brown with two parallel rows of black spots on back No verified sightings on property, but is likely abundant abundant Class Found in urban and moist rural sites, though often hiding Brown with two parallel rows of black spots on back No verified sightings on property, but is likely etology/images/snakes/eastern_milksnake.jpg triangulum triangulum Source: http://www.herpnet.net/IowaHerp
triangulum triangulum Colubridae Colubridae Serpentes Serpentes Eastern milk snake Eastern milk snake Family Family Squamata Squamata Reptilia Suborder Suborder Reptilia Order Order Class Found in rural buildings, fields, rivers and hillsides Strongly patterned; differs from copperhead in that patterns continue onto head No verified sightings on property, but is likely common common Class Found in rural buildings, fields, rivers and hillsides Strongly patterned; differs from copperhead in that patterns continue onto head No verified sightings on property, but is likely Lampropeltis Lampropeltis SummarySummary ofof ReptilesReptiles atat thethe UniversityUniversity FarmFarm
ClassClass ReptiliaReptilia Order Testudinata Order Squamata (contd.) Suborder Cryptodira Suborder Serpentes Family Chelydridae Family Colubridae Chelydra serpentina C Coluber constrictor constrictor S Family Emydidae Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta S Chrysemys picta A Nerodia sipedon sipedon A Terrapene carolina carolina S Regina septemvittata S Order Squamata Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis A Storeria dekayi dekayi P Suborder Sauria Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum P Family Scincidae Eumeces fasciatus S A = abundant C = common S = scarce P = possible to see, though not previously reported ClassClass AmphibiaAmphibia -- AmphibiansAmphibians
ColdCold bloodedblooded YoungYoung hatchhatch fromfrom eggseggs YoungYoung areare inin aa larvallarval (usually(usually aquatic)aquatic) stage,stage, andand metamorphosemetamorphose intointo adultsadults SkinSkin moistmoist andand glandularglandular ToesToes withoutwithout clawsclaws IncludesIncludes salamanders,salamanders, toadstoads andand frogsfrogs eft eft viridescens viridescens notophthalmus_viridescens_viridenscens.jpg Source: http://www.keiriosity.com/other_pictures/salamanders/ Source:
viridescens viridescens spotted newt, Red spotted newt, Red - - Salamandridae Salamandridae Urodela Urodela Red Red Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Class Found in permanent and semi permanent unpolluted bodies of water Bright red spots of variable number and position Observed in wooded ravines and wetlands; abundant abundant Class Found in permanent and semi permanent unpolluted bodies of water Bright red spots of variable number and position Observed in wooded ravines and wetlands; Notophthalmus Notophthalmus daten_arten/desmognathus/ fuscus fuscus fuscus/desmognathus_fuscus3.jpg Source: http://www.agurodela.de/ Source: fuscus fuscus Plethodontidae Plethodontidae Urodela Urodela Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Northern dusky salamander Northern dusky salamander Desmognathus Desmognathus Order Order Class Found along the edges of woodland streams Dorsal keel on tail; gray or brown in color One possible observation in wooded ravine; likely scarce on property property Class Found along the edges of woodland streams Dorsal keel on tail; gray or brown in color One possible observation in wooded ravine; likely scarce on Source: http://www.brevard.edu/science/MtnDusky4.jpg Source: ochrophaeus ochrophaeus Plethodontidae Plethodontidae Urodela Urodela Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Mountain dusky salamander Desmognathus Mountain dusky salamander Desmognathus Order Order Class Found along the edges of woodland streams Round tail; stripe of varying colors down back and tail; black chevrons down back; fade from orange to brown as adults Observed in many ravines and streams; abundant abundant Class Found along the edges of woodland streams Round tail; stripe of varying colors down back and tail; black chevrons down back; fade from orange to brown as adults Observed in many ravines and streams; a_bislineata.jp a/bislineata/euryce de/daten_arten/euryce Source: http://www.agurodela. bislineata bislineata lined salamander lined salamander - -
Eurycea Eurycea Plethodontidae Plethodontidae Urodela Urodela Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Northern two Northern two Class Found around the edges of woodland streams Two dark dorsal lines; dorsal coloration is variable shades of yellow Observed in many ravines and streams; abundant abundant Class Found around the edges of woodland streams Two dark dorsal lines; dorsal coloration is variable shades of yellow Observed in many ravines and streams; /herp/keys/images/salamand/pcinelg1.jpg
cinereus cinereus Source: http://www.cortland.edu backed salamander backed salamander - -
Plethodon Plethodon Plethodontidae Plethodontidae Urodela Urodela Red Red Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Class Commonly found in moist, undisturbed wooded areas Large red stripe from head to tail, though some individuals are solid gray/black Observed in wet areas of arboretum woods; abundant abundant Class Commonly found in moist, undisturbed wooded areas Large red stripe from head to tail, though some individuals are solid gray/black Observed in wet areas of arboretum woods; Source: http://www.tiherp.org/pix/Caudata/Plethodon%20glutinosus.jpg glutinosus glutinosus Slimy salamander Slimy salamander Plethodontidae Plethodontidae Plethodon Plethodon Urodela Urodela Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Class Commonly found on wooded ravines and hillsides Black with white or brass colored spots Observed in one ravine; likely common likely common Class Commonly found on wooded ravines and hillsides Black with white or brass colored spots Observed in one ravine; Source: http://www.cortland.edu/herp/keys/images/frogs/bamerilg.jpg Source:
americanus americanus American toad American toad skin Bufo Bufo skin Bufonidae Bufonidae Anura Anura warted warted Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Class Found anywhere relatively close to shallow water for breeding Most are brown with highly Observed virtually everywhere on the property; abundant property; abundant Class Found anywhere relatively close to shallow water for breeding Most are brown with highly Observed virtually everywhere on the cricifer cricifer Source: http://www.kbs.msu.edu/ACWA/natres/natrgrh/frogtoad/speeper.gif Source: Spring peeper Spring peeper
Pseudacris Pseudacris Hylidae Hylidae on back on back Anura Anura ” ” X X Amphibia Family Family Amphibia “ “ Order Order Class Found in forests, typically in secondary growth areas Brown with imperfect, dark Observed in the field by the experimental pond; abundant abundant Class Found in forests, typically in secondary growth areas Brown with imperfect, dark Observed in the field by the experimental pond; us/amphibians/rana_catesbeiana_1.jpg Source: http://deathvalley.
catesbeiana catesbeiana Bull frog Bull frog
Rana Rana Ranidae Ranidae Anura Anura gray/brown gray/brown ” ” Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Mesh Mesh Class Found along the edges of bodies of water, prefers large bodies of water “ Observed in the insect, upper and wade ponds; abundant pattern on green back abundant Class Found along the edges of bodies of water, prefers large bodies of water “ Observed in the insect, upper and wade ponds; pattern on green back melanota melanota Source: http://www.kbs.msu.edu/ACWA/natres/natrgrh/frogtoad/green.gif Source: Green frog Green frog clamitans clamitans Ranidae Ranidae Anura Anura Rana Rana Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Class Found in shallow, fresh water Variable coloration; green/brown above, brown/gray below Observed in all ponds and several ravines; abundant abundant Class Found in shallow, fresh water Variable coloration; green/brown above, brown/gray below Observed in all ponds and several ravines; Source: http://www.herpnet.net/IowaHerpetology/images/Frogs_Toads/Pickerel_frog.jpg palustris palustris Pickerel frog Pickerel frog Rana Rana Ranidae Ranidae Anura Anura Amphibia Family Family Amphibia Order Order Class Found in bogs, rocky ravines and shallow streams Tan with two lines of dark, square spots down back Observed in several ravines, ponds and marshy areas; abundant marshy areas; abundant Class Found in bogs, rocky ravines and shallow streams Tan with two lines of dark, square spots down back Observed in several ravines, ponds and SummarySummary ofof AmphibiansAmphibians atat thethe UniversityUniversity FarmFarm
ClassClass AmphibiaAmphibia OrderOrder UrodelaUrodela OrderOrder AnuraAnura Family Salamandridae Family Bufonidae Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens A Bufo americanus A Family Plethodontidae Family Hylidae Desmognathus fuscus fuscus S Pseudacris cricifer A Desmognathus ochrophaeus A Family Ranidae Eurycea bislineata A Rana catesbeiana A Plethodon cinereus A Rana clamitans melanota A Plethodon glutinosus C Rana palustris A
A = abundant C = common S = scarce P = possible to see, though not previously reported ReferencesReferences
AA FieldField GuideGuide toto ReptilesReptiles andand AmphibiansAmphibians ofof EasternEastern andand CentralCentral NorthNorth America.America. ThirdThird Edition,Edition, expanded.expanded. CaseCase WesternWestern ReserveReserve UniversityUniversity FarmFarm InventoryInventory andand Analysis.Analysis. 19831983