Woodhouse’s Toad Rio Bosque. The At present only one true frog species inhabits the Amphibians: The Frogs attract mates. calling in a deep-pitched bellow as they try to months, you may get a chance to hear Bullfrogs mammals, birds and reptiles. During the warmer insects, other frogs and toads, as well small with riparian areas and wetlands, where they eat often heard than seen. Bullfrogs are associated a common denizen of the river valley that is more Bullfrog (
Rana catesbeiana Bullfrog
) is ( recognized at the Rio Bosque. Currently, three species of toad have been Amphibians: The Toads Couch’s Sp hind feet which they use for digging. pupil, smooth skin and a black “spade” on their season. They are greenish in color with a vertical back into the soil to await next year’s monsoon the weather dries out, toads dig themselves and breeding which may last only a few days. As rain shower, they emerge for a frenzy of feeding for most of the year; following a large summer ( insect pests. service as natural biological control agents for are primarily insectivores and perform a great seen near the water delivery canals. These toads Bufo woodhousei Scaphiopus couchi
root together. Both have their origin in the Greek referring to these two classes of animals “herps” has come into common use for From this formal word, the shorthand term dealing with Herpetology is the branch of zoology What is a “herp”? deposited on land with less risk of drying out. usually an outer shell, so they can be surrounded by protective membranes and to avoid desiccation. Reptile eggs are unprotected eggs that must be laid in water Generally, amphibians produce naked, “lost” their legs millions of years ago). tetrapods (“four-legs” – even snakes which Reptiles and amphibians are all vertebrate
herpeton adefoot Toad reptiles : a crawling thing. Couch’s Spadefoot Toads ) is a common species often ) live dormant underground and amphibians Woodhouse’s .
Toad
has not been seen in many years. Habitat Bosque would be key to Educational programs of the Texas Forest Service are Leopard Frog species. disability, religion, age, or national origin. the El Paso area for created at the Rio The Rio Grande the re-introduction of this open to all people without regard race, color, sex, ( On the Cover: A Spadefoot Toad www.cerm.utep.edu/riobosque/ sits near a stream. call Find out how you can participate: community involvement for success. The Rio Bosque project relies on Friends of the Rio Bosque, El Paso, TX. ©2004 by the Epson El Paso. Printing generously provided by Illustration by David Nakabayashi Edited by Maria A. Trunk Text by Mike Ross administered by the Texas Forest S by a USDA Urban Forestry Grant Brochure Series was made possible The Rio Bosque Educational found in our river valley. of the unique and valuable ecosystems once working to bring back meaningful examples in a new way. Here, is a diverse partnership Park, the environment is still changing, but are virtually gone. At Rio Bosque Wetlands productive natural habitats, but today they Norte region. They were the area’s most the banks of Rio Grande in Paso del Wetlands and riverside forests once graced Rana berlandieri
915-747-8663 ) or visit ervice.
El Paso, Texas Park Wetlands Rio Bosque HERPS of the Rio Bosque Reptiles: The Turtles At present two species of turtle have been identified within the park: the Spiny Softshell Turtle (Trionyx spiniferus) and the Yellow Mud Turtle Reptiles and amphibians tend to be (Kinosternon flavescens). Spiny Softshell Turtles secretive. Go quietly and keep your can be seen basking in the sun on exposed sand senses alert: you will likely be bars in the Riverside Canal along theDesert east Kingsnake side of rewarded with an opportunity to the park. They have a unique appearance: their bodies are flattened like a large “pancake,” their observe the behavior of these necks are long and their noses shaped like snorkels. Texas Horned Lizard fascinating creatures. All of these features are adaptations for an aquatic existence. Reptiles: The Lizards Six species of lizard have been identified at the Rio Bosque. The Striped Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus inornatus) is commonly Reptiles: The Snakes encountered and can be identified readily by its slim, elongate appearance and bright blue tail. Of the eight snake species confirmed at the Rio Another widespread species is the Side Blotched Bosque, four are occasionally encountered during Lizard (Uta stansburiana). This lizard displays daylight hours, usually in the morning or early an interesting behavior: individuals appear to do evening. The Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis “push ups” to intimidate rivals and defend their getula splendida), the Sonoran Gopher Snake Spiney Softshell Turtle territories. The Texas Horned Lizard Sonoran Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus affinis) and the (Phrynosoma cornutum), sometimes incorrectly Coachwhip Snake (Masticophis flagellum) can referred to as a horned toad, is the Texas State be found throughout the park. The Checkered Reptile. Horned lizard populations seem to be Garter Snake (Thamnophis marcianus), declining in parts of their range, so we are however, is more closely associated with the fortunate to have some representatives residing wetland areas, where it feeds on fish, frogs and at Rio Bosque. insects. All snakes play an extremely important role in the natural control of their prey species; in the As a large undeveloped natural area, Rio Bosque absence of these predators, populations can Wetlands Park provides valuable habitat for many skyrocket to levels that stress the resources of an types of wildlife, including a variety of reptiles ecosystem. No venomous snake has yet been and amphibians. Approximately 20 different documented at the Rio Bosque. species have been identified in the park to date. This diversity is made possible by a diversity of micro-habitats within the park. Some species, such as the Bullfrog, rarely stray far from the wetland areas and water delivery canals. Others, like the Striped Whiptail Lizard, are encountered throughout the park.
Coachwhip Snake For a complete list of reptiles and amphibians found at the park, stop by the Visitor Center or log onto the Rio Bosque website: www.cerm.utep.edu/riobosque/ Striped Whiptail Lizard
Side Blotched Lizard
Checkered Garter Snake