Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge FUi.sSh. F&is Wh i&ld Wlifiel dSliefrev iScee rvice 2591 Whitehall Neck Road Smyrna, DE 19977-6872 302/653 9345 Bombay Hook E-mail: [email protected] http://bombayhook.fws.gov https://www.facebook.com/bombayhookwildliferefuge National Wildlife Federal Relay Service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Refuge 1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Amphibians 1 800/344 WILD http://www.fws.gov and July 2013 Reptiles

Green treefrog Jane M. Rohling Bombay Hook National Wildlife Amphibians Refuge comprises 16,251 acres, approximately three-quarters of Salamanders Redback Salamander which is tidal salt marsh. It also (Plethodon cinereus) includes freshwater impoundments, Common woodland salamander. This goose, designed by brushy and timbered swamps, and J.N. “Ding” Darling, has Hides beneath logs, bark slabs and become the symbol of the upland habitats. The general terrain stones during the daytime. In this National Refuge System. is flat and less than ten feet above sea area, it is usually in the “lead” phase, level. that is, the reddish pigment is usually The variety of habitats within lacking. They mate in the fall and the Bombay Hook Refuge provides the female lays her eggs in the spring. essential living requirements for an interesting array of amphibians Marbled Salamander (salamanders, toads, and frogs) and (Ambystoma opacum) reptiles (turtles, snakes and lizards). Fairly common. Found in woodland Many of these kinds of animals are areas hiding under logs. A mole often overlooked by visitors. They salamander, spending most of its life are hard to see; however, closer underground. Fall breeder. scrutiny may expose a “clump of moss” as a frog or “part of a vine” to Spotted Salamander be a snake. A slight movement on (Ambystoma maculatum) their part as you approach may be the Uncommon. Found in woodland and giveaway. The frogs and toads can pond areas. Hides beneath logs also be identified by their voices during the day. Recognized by bright which ring out in loud chorus during yellow spots. Like marbled spring nights, and into the summer. salamander, breeds in fishless pools. Early spring breeder. Marbled salamander

Toads and Frogs Fowler’s Toad (Bufo woodhousii fowleri) Common in woodland and grassy areas. Has three or more warts in each dark spot unlike the American toad which has l or 2. Breeds in shallow temporary pools in warm months, usually May and June.

Northern Cricket Frog (Acris c. crepitans) Common. Inhabits emergent and shoreside vegetation of freshwater pools. Call sounds like two marbles Redback salamander hitting together. Breeding usually occurs May through July. Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Common large frog of the freshwater pools. The familiar jug-o-rum call can be heard throughout the warm weather.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans melanota) Inhabits the shallow freshwater of pools, ponds, and ditches. Its call sounds like a loose banjo string. Breeds April through August.

Green treefrog Southern Leopard Frog (Rana u. utricularia) Common in shallow freshwater areas. Travels into grass fields, far from water, during the summer.

Green Treefrog Pickerel Frog (Hyla cinerea) (Rana palustris) Common in woodland areas adjacent Common. Inhabits shallow, to ponds. Seen particularly during freshwater areas. Travels into grass spring. Visits windows at night, fields during the summer. seeking insects attracted by light. Cowbell-like breeding call can be Wood Frog heard early to mid summer. (Rana sylvatica) Common. Should be looked for in Gray Treefrog shallow woodland pools during the (Hyla versicolor) early spring. One of the first frogs to Uncommon. Forages aloft in small call in spring. Gasping or clacking like trees and shrubs near water. Breeds call heard in early March. in quiet shallow waters.

Northern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris c. crucifer) Common. Congregates and calls loudly in early spring where shrubs stand in shallow water. Breeds February through June.

New Jersey Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata kalmi) Common. Congregates during the spring in low vegetation along the Pickerel frog edges of freshwater pools and ponds. Call is reminiscent of a finger going across a comb. Breeds February through June. Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys p. picta) The most frequently seen turtle. Basks in the warm sunlight on logs, stumps and vegetated clumps in the freshwater pools.

Redbelly Turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) Uncommon. Inhabits the freshwater pools. Basks like the painted turtle Eastern box turtle but is much larger. Feeds primarily on Reptiles aquatic vegetation.

Turtles Common Snapping Turtle Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Chalydra s. serpentina) (Malaclemys t. terrapin) Common in the freshwater pools, but Common estuarine species. Lives in also inhabits brackish and salt water. unpolluted salt marsh and brackish The largest nesting turtle in water habitats. Lays eggs on the Delaware, it lays its eggs in the dikes or other accessible areas in upland fields and dike road during early June to early July. the late spring.

Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) Common. Lives in the freshwater pools. May give off musky smell when handled, sometimes called stinkpot.

Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon s. subrubrum) More common than the musk turtle which is resembles. Inhabits both fresh and brackish water. Five-lined skink

Spotted Turtle Lizards Five-lined Skink (Clemmys guttata) (Eumeces fasciatus) Uncommon. Inhabits shallow Uncommon. Lives in cut-over freshwater in the pools, ponds and woodlands that have rotting stumps ditches. Most individuals have yellow and logs. Mainly terrestrial, but can or orange spots on shell. climb trees. Juveniles have bright blue tails. Adult males have reddish orange heads. Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina) Uncommon. This is a dry-land turtle Northern Fence Lizard most frequently seen in the (Sceloporus undulatus woodlands. Feeds on slugs, worms hyacinthinus) and vegetation. May live to 80+ Uncommon. Favors rotting logs and years. open woodlands. Seldom far from trees. Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) Difficult to observe because it blends with the background. Favors dense vegetation along shallow bodies of freshwater. Feeds on insects.

Black Rat Snake (Elaphe o. obsoleta) Common. Seen in the upland woods or on field edges. A large, thick, bodied snake. Excellent climber, often found Northern water snake in trees.

Eastern Kingsnake Snakes Northern Water Snake (Lampropeltis g. getula) (Nedrodia s. sipedon) Uncommon. Secretive, hiding under Most commonly encountered snake on boards and logs. Hunts along the Refuge. Common in and about fresh banks of freshwater pools and and brackish water. Harmless, but swamps. May feed on other snakes. will bite if provoked. Feeds on frogs and fish. Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis t. triangulum) Eastern Garter Snake Rare on Delaware’s coastal plain. (Thamnophis s. sirtalis) Secretive. Found around farm Frequently seen. Inhabits fields, buildings and in fields and woods. woods and marsh edges. Eastern Hognose Snake Eastern Ribbon Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) (Thamnophis s. sauritis) Uncommon. Prefers cultivated fields Frequently seen. A semiaquatic snake and woodland meadows. Feeds on found along the edges of the toads and frogs. Will play dead if freshwater pools, swamps and ditches, harassed. and occasionally in fields and woods. Eastern Worm Snake Ringneck Snake (Carphophis a. amoenus) (Diadophis punctatus) Uncommon. Inhabits farmland Secretive. Hides under stones and bordering woodlands; dwells in damp bark slabs in woodlands, especially situations under rocks, decaying logs, near damp spots. Bright yellow to and loose soil. orange ring around neck.

Northern Black Racer (Coluber c. constrictor) Seen occasionally in the woods and h a

along field edges. A large snake, n n

a Rough green snake active during the day. v a S

t r e b o R The 35 species on this list have been identified on the Bombay Hook Refuge by refuge personnel with cooperation from the staff of the Philadelphia Zoological Garden. A special thanks also goes to Dr. Roger Conant, author of the Field Guide to the Reptiles of Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, in the Peterson Series. To Skip Conant USFWS volunteer; Jim White of the Delaware Nature Society, Mike McLaughlin associated with Delaware conservation groups who assisted in updating this list. Northern Spring peeper Names were taken from “Common and Scientific Names” by the Society for the Study of Reptiles and Amphibians.

Other species no doubt exist on the refuge and reports of their U.S. Fish and Bombay Hook is one of more than identification will be welcomed at the Wildlife Service 560 refuges in the National Wildlife refuge headquarters. Following is a Refuge System administered by list of other possible species: theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Northern Brown Snake ( Storeria The National Wildlife Refuge System dekayi ), Ground Skink ( Scincella is a network of lands and waters lateralis ), Eastern Mud Salamander managed specifically for the (Pseudotriton montanus ), Northern protection of wildlife and wildlife Red Salamander ( Pseutotriton habitat and represents the most ruber ), Cope’s Gray Treefrog ( Hyla comprehensive wildlife resource chrysoscelis ), and Eastern Spadefoot management programs in the world. (Scaphiopus h. holbrookii ). Units of the system stretch across the United States from northern Alaska to the Florida Keys, and include small islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. The character of the refuges ia as diverse as the nation itself. The Service also manages National

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o conservation and protection of R migratory birds, certain marine mammals and threatened and Eastern painted turtle endangered species.