How To Use This Checklist AMPHIBIANS: CLASS AMPHIBIA True Frogs: Family Ranidae The word amphibious means "leading a double life", referring __ Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus C to the incredible metamorphosis of these animals. Most __ Green Frog Lithobates clamitans C The information presented in this checklist reflects our amphibians have an aquatic larval form, with gills. They __ Pickerel Frog Lithobates palustris C current understanding of the status of the reptiles and transform into adults that may have lungs, gills or breathe __ Northern Leopard Frog Lithobates pipiens O; may be amphibians found within Cleveland Metroparks. You can add to through their thin, moist skin. declining our understanding by being a knowledgeable observer. Record __ Wood Frog Lithobates sylvatica O your observations and contact a naturalist if you find SALAMANDERS: ORDER CAUDATA something that may be of interest. Species Cleveland Metroparks: 15 REPTILES: CLASS REPTILIA Species North America: 187 Reptiles have skin covered with scales, shields or Species are listed taxonomically. Each species is listed with a Species Worldwide: 342 plates. If they have limbs, their toes have claws. Their common name, a scientific name and a note about its life-cycles are not as complex as the life-cycles of occurrence within Cleveland Metroparks. Check off species Waterdogs: Family Proteidae amphibians. Some reptiles lay eggs, while others give that you identify in Cleveland Metroparks. __ Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus R; may be more common, live birth. but difficult to find Newts: Family Salamandridae TURTLES: ORDER TESTUDINES __ Eastern Newt Notophthalmus viridescens O Species Cleveland Metroparks: 7, +2 hypothetical Cleveland Metroparks Mole Salamanders: Family Ambystomatidae Species North America: 56 Outdoor Experiences Division __ Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum O Species Worldwide: 294 Administration ...... (216)881-8141 __ Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum C Brecksville Nature Center...... (440)526-1012 __ Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum R; one record Snapping Turtles: Family Chelidridae CanalWay Center...... (216)206-1000 __ Small-mouthed Salamander Ambystoma texanum R __ Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina C __ Ambystoma sp (unidentifiable) Musk Turtles: Family Kinosternidae Garfield Park Center...... (216)341-3152 Special Note: Cross-breeding is frequent among the mole __ Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus O North Chagrin Nature Center and salamanders, field identification may not always be possible. Water and Box Turtles: Family Emydidae Look About Lodge ...... (440)473-3370 Lungless Salamanders: Family Plethodontidae __ Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata h; found in Rocky River Nature Center...... (440)734-6660 __ Northern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus fuscus C Cuyahoga County, but not in Cleveland Watershed Stewardship Center...... (440)887-1968 __ Allegheny Dusky Salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus C; Metroparks; some released from captivity eastern Cuyahoga County only __ Blanding’s Turtle Emydoidea blandingii R; small __ Northern Two-lined Salamander Eurycea bislineata C population along the lower Cuyahoga River __ Longtail Salamander Eurycea longicauda R __ Common Map Turtle Graptemys geographica h; __ Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum R; found in some rivers in northeast Ohio; some RELATIVE ABUNDANCE one record may be released from captivity __ Redback Salamander Plethodon cinereus C __ Midland Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta C C = Common. Widespread and often numerous in __ Northern Slimy Salamander Plethodon glutinosus O __ *Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta O; native to proper __ Ravine Salamander Plethodon richmondi R southeastern U.S.; commonly released habitat and season. __ Northern Red Salamander Pseudotriton ruber R __ *Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina O; native to eastern U.S.; status as a native species in O = Occasional. Found at scattered locations or FROGS AND TOADS: ORDER ANURA northeast Ohio uncertain; commonly released widespread but in moderate numbers. Species Cleveland Metroparks: 9, +1 hypothetical Softshell Turtles: Family Trionychidae Species North America: 100 __ Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera O; found R = Rare. Represented by a few individuals or has Species Worldwide: 3,500+ in rivers a very restricted range within Cleveland Metroparks. True Toads: Family Anaxyrus Special Note: Wood Turtles Clemmys insculpta are h = Hypothetical. Occurrence within Cleveland __ American Toad Anaxyrus americanus C occasionally seen in the Cleveland area. These are Metroparks possible but not confirmed. __ Fowler's Toad Anaxyrus woodhousei h; hybridizes with released or escaped; not native to Ohio American toad; identification difficult X = Extirpated. Once occurred, but is no longer Treefrogs: Family Hylidae found in Cleveland Metroparks. __ Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor C __ Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer C * = Exotic. Place of origin given. __ Midland Chorus Frog Pseudacris triseriata R; generally occurs west of the Cuyahoga River NOTICE: Collecting any animal, plant, etc. within Cleveland Metroparks is strictly prohibited, as is releasing any animial into Cleveland Metroparks. SNAKES AND LIZARDS: ORDER SQUAMATA NOTICE: There are no verified records of native venomous Lizards: Suborder Lacertilia snakes in Cleveland Metroparks. There is one old record of A Checklist of the Species Cleveland Metroparks: 1; possibly extirpated the Massasauga or "swamp rattler" from southwestern Species North America: 119 Cuyahoga County, but the snake is no longer found here. Species Worldwide: 4,503 Caution should still be used if you find a snake that Skinks: Family Scincidae you cannot identify. Snakes can be accidentally transported __ Five-lined Skink Eumeces fasciatus Current status from one region to another and can escape or be released unknown; possibly extirpated from Cleveland from collections. Species not native to the area could be Metroparks; still found in parts of northeast Ohio. found. of Cleveland Metroparks Snakes: Suborder Serpentes Notes Species Cleveland Metroparks: 11 Species North America: 154 Species Worldwide: 2,927

Colubrid Snakes: Family Colubridae __ Northern Water Snake Nerodia sipedon C __ Queen Snake Regina septemvittata O __ Northern Brown Snake Storeria dekayi C __ Red-bellied Snake Storeria occipitomaculata R; no recent records; easily overlooked __ Eastern Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis C __ Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus R __ Northern Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus O __ Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis R Amphibians and reptiles were once lumped into one __ Racer Coluber constricter R; may be declining Special Note: The subspecies called "blue racer" classification, simply known as reptiles. They are actually and "black racer" are both found in our area. two distinct groups of organisms, although they remain __ Eastern Rat Snake Pantherophis obsoletus O closely associated in our minds. People who study them are __ Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum O called Herpetologists. Amphibians and reptiles are vertebrates (animals with backbones) and are Special Note: The Eastern Fox Snake Pantherophis gloydi, has been found in Cuyahoga County, but has ectothermic (cold blooded). probably been transported into the area from northwest Ohio

Acknowledgments Special thanks to Dr. Timothy Matson of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Mr. Ralph A. Pfingsten and Mr. Keith Gisser for their valuable contributions to this checklist.

This checklist was compiled with the cooperation of Date/time: Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Education Division and Natural Resources Division. Location:

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Updated 2015 / 35038