Reptiles in Managed Woodlands

Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020 Reptiles in Managed Woodlands Tools for Family Forestland Owners Authors: Eliana Pool, Cafferata Consulting; Barbara Garcia, United States Forest Service; Susan Barnes, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Lauren Grand, Oregon State University Forestry Extension; and Jennifer Weikel, Oregon Department of Forestry Introduction Western Pond Turtle Reptiles are some of the most ancient and interesting animals on earth. Not only do they remind us of their dinosaur relatives, but reptiles are of great ecological impor- tance, serving critical roles in ecosystems. They are found on all continents, except Antarctica and there are 29 distinct species of reptiles found in Oregon and Washing- ton. They occur in upland (dry), aquatic (wet), or a combination of these habitats. They are both prey (eaten by fish, mammals, birds, and other reptiles) and predators (eating insects, snails, slugs, worms, amphibians, other reptiles, and small mammals). The reptiles group includes a variety of species such as turtles (e.g., western pond turtle), lizards (e.g., western Photo by Keith Kohl fence lizard), and snakes (e.g., rubber boa). Reptiles may also provide species manage- growth and reproduction, and helps reptiles found in forested habitats in ment and disease control by eating animals them adapt to periodic shortages of food, Oregon and Washington and will describe such as rodents and slugs. water, and oxygen. Reptiles have limited common threats and management rec- Reptiles are scaly ectotherms, or cold- capability to move quickly out of harm’s ommendations to help provide for these blooded animals, who regulate their way, travel long distances or across bar- remarkable animals. Knowing the differ- internal temperature by the external riers such as roads, rivers, and developed ence between reptiles and amphibians can environment. Their specialized physiology landscapes. They often spend most of be confusing. Our callout box explains allows for more energy to be put toward their time at specific breeding locations or the differences. over-wintering sites to which they return Western Fence Lizard year after year, following particular migra- Rubber Boa Snake tion routes. These characteristics make reptiles sensitive to habitat loss, degrada- tion, fragmentation, and to disturbances at breeding and over-wintering sites. Woodland owners in Oregon and Wash- ington can promote habitat for reptiles on their property and improve overall ecosys- tem health. This publication focuses on Photo by Keith Kohl Photo by Simon Wray 1 Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020 Physical Traits Amphibian Reptile Smooth, moist and sometimes sticky Dry and scaly. Scales are made of keratin. Skin Texture skin. Laden with mucous glands. Skin is found underneath the scales. Have soft gel surrounding their eggs Amniotic egg. Have hard, leathery eggs Eggs/Young without any hard covering. Usually, laid on land or they keep eggs in their found in water or damp places. bodies until they hatch. Short fore limbs and long hind limbs Reptiles usually have four limbs, but some Limbs with four or five webbed digits. reptiles (snakes) have no limbs. Yes. Breathes water through gills until it No. Looks like a miniature adult when Metamorphosis* develops lungs. born. Method of breathing Gills and lungs Lungs Nails and teeth (some have venom). Toxic skin secretions and can bite. No Defense Reptiles have scales, which act as armor to nails. physically defend the body. Examples Frog, toad, newts, salamanders Snakes, lizards, turtles *Metamorphosis is the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages. Habitat pond turtle spends the winter buried under Many reptiles have periods of dormancy. Reptiles are found in forests, deserts, grass- leaf litter in forested habitats, sometimes This means that their bodies shut down lands, lakes, and everywhere in between. at the base of trees or near logs. When and conserve energy for the coming year. For many reptiles the utilization of a variety reptiles lay eggs, they need to find warm During this time, they may not eat, drink, of habitats is critical for their success, discrete hiding places, usually in sparsely defecate or move for several weeks. In the although populations and species diversity vegetated areas including forest edges and winter this dormancy period is referred are typically higher in dry sunny regions forest openings. Some snakes and lizards to as hibernation and in the summer, it is than in cooler, more temperate zones. lay their eggs in rock crevices or in empty called aestivation. rodent burrows. Others deposit their eggs Since reptiles are cold-blooded animals in or under rotting stumps or logs where Upland Habitats and therefore use the sun to thermoregu- the heat of the decomposing plant material late, they often bask in sunny places. All species of reptiles in Oregon and Wash- incubates the eggs. Thermoregulation is a process that allows ington use upland habitats, and for some, reptiles to maintain their basic metabolic it is the only habitat they will use over the course of their lifetime. Upland habitats, processes (Pilliod et. al. 2017). Reptiles Western Painted Turtle need help to maintain their body tempera- including forests, are very diverse and have tures in the right range to enable them to key habitat elements that meet various eat, hide, move, mate, nest and lay eggs critical life history needs like foraging and to keep their bodily functions work- areas and places to nest, lay eggs, and raise ing properly. The sun also helps them young. During periods of dormancy, rep- maintain healthy levels of vitamins and tiles may be found in many places within minerals. Both aquatic and upland habitat forested environments. For example, basking areas are important for reptiles. Northern alligator lizards will seek refuge They are so important, western painted under downed wood in coniferous forests. turtles have been observed using the backs Other forest habitat features used by rep- of loons to bask (Gelatt and Kelley 1995). tiles include abandoned mammal burrows, leaf litter, soil, and bark. Staying warm is a way of life for a reptile. For example, in cool wet places the western Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW 2 Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020 Forests are an important aspect of reptile habitat for some reptiles, they are gener- life history because they provide a less vari- It is well known that reptiles ally less desirable than natural habitats. able microclimate that protects dormant are known for needing lots of reptiles from harsh conditions. It is estimat- sunshine. However, did you Often on warm, sunny days turtles and ed that reptiles can reduce their energy use know that reptiles can overheat snakes can be seen lounging on logs by 90-95% during dormant phases, which too? Reptiles have no way to and other exposed objects that are cool down like people do and becomes a vital survival instinct during partially submerged in the water like must find shade or some way to particularly cold winters or during sum- rocks, fallen limbs, and floating vegeta- escape extreme heat. Reptiles tion. These basking sites are necessary mers with prolonged periods of drought have varying degrees of heat and high temperatures (ODFW 2015). for thermoregulation and also provide tolerances. protection from predators such as bass Aquatic Habitats and other large fish. Garter snakes are Some reptiles require aquatic habitats floodplains, and riparian fringes. Although often found in and near water and will too! Aquatic habitats include wetlands, artificial features such as fire and irrigation sometimes swim to hunt frogs and even rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, sloughs, ponds and ditches can provide aquatic fish. On cooler days, when cloud cover and Table1. Native Reptiles found in forested habitats of Oregon and Washington Species Range Habitat Turtles Eastern OR and WA; Found in slow-moving or still water (ponds, Western painted turtle* Columbia River in OR and sloughs, streams, rivers and oxbow lakes) with (Chrysemys picta bellii) WA; Puget Sound and mucky bottoms, floodplain woodlands, shrubby Willamette Valley fields, roadsides, pastures, and open beaches. Found in permanent and intermittent waters in- Willamette Valley, Coast cluding marshes, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Western pond turtle* Range and SW OR; Usually with areas of large amounts of vegetation (Clemmys marmorata) Columbia Plateau OR and and basking sites. Require upland areas adjacent WA, Puget Sound WA to water for egg laying and overwintering refugia. Require nearby forested areas for overwintering Lizards and Skinks Often found in moist meadows in coniferous Northern alligator lizard Western OR and WA forests and riparian areas, oak-pine forest and (Elgaria coerulea) and eastern WA. forest edges. Found in grasslands, chaparral, oak woodlands, Southern alligator lizard Western OR and WA as edges of coniferous forests, riparian zones, and (Elgaria multicarinata) well as in northcentral OR moist canyon bottoms. Throughout OR except Found in desert canyons, grasslands, hard- Western fence lizard the Coast Range and high wood and coniferous forests, rocky areas and (Sceloporus occidentalis) cascades; Puget Sound chaparral. Lowland, and central WA Mostly throughout OR Western skink Found in oak woodlands, less damp coniferous except coastal areas and (Eumeces skiltonianus) forests, pine and juniper woodlands. high elevations; eastern WA 3 Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020 Species Range Habitat Snakes Throughout most of OR Found in a wide variety of habitats. Usually Rubber boa and WA except the most occur in close proximity to water. In forests use (Charina bottae) coastal areas and some logs, bark, flat rocks, crevices, and forest litter. sagebrush areas. Throughout OR except the Found in sagebrush flats, juniper woodlands, Racer Coast and Cascade ranges chaparral, meadows, and fields where rocks, (Coluber constrictor) and eastern WA logs, or dense shrubs are present. OR Coast Range and the Sharptail snake Found in oak woodlands, river valleys and Willamette Valley and the (Contia tenuis) canyons.

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