Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida Peter C. H. Pritehard. SLR1LS LDITOR Volume Three Amphibians & Reptiles Edited by Roy W McDiannid Chairman. Special Committee on Amphibians and Reptiles FLORIDA COMM1TTRF ON RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS Sponsored by the FLORIDA AllDUBON SOCIETY and FLORIDA DEFENDERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT Published for the STATE OF FLORIDA GAME AND FRESH WATER FISH COMMISSION by UNIVERSITY PRESSES OF FLORIDA FAMU j FAUlFIUIFSUIFTUl UF/ UNF/ USF/ UWF FLORIDA COMMITTEE ON RARE Special Committee on Amphibians and Reptiles AND Dr. Roy W. McDiarmid (Chairman), Department of ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620 Honorary Co-Chairmen Dr. Walter Auffenberg, Florida State Museum, Uni- Reubin O'D. Askew, Governor, State of Florida versity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601 Nathaniel P. Reed, Hobe Sound, Florida (former Dr. Howard W. Campbell (consulting member), Na- Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior) tional Fish and Wildlife Laboratory, 412 NE 16th Coordinating Committee Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 - Dr. Archie F. Carr, Department of Zoology, University Dr. James N. Layne (Chairman), Chairman Special of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601 Committee on Mammals, Archbold Biological Station Dr. Steven P. Christman, National Fish and Wildlife Dr. Archie F. Carr, University of Florida Laboratory, 412 NE 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL Mrs. Marjorie Carr, Florida Defenders of the Envi- 32601 ronment Mr. Michael J. Fogarty, formerly Wildlife Research Dr. Carter R. Gilbert, Chairman Special Committee on Projects, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Com- Fishes, Florida State Museum mission, 4005 South Main, Gainesville, FL 32601 Mr. Brad Hartman, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Present address: 1101 5th St., Rt. 5, Stuart, Florida Commission 33494 Dr. Herbert W. Kale, Chairman Special Committee on Mr. Frank Lund, P.O. Box 541, Jupiter, FL 33458 Birds, Florida Audubon Society Dr. 0. Bruce Means, Tall Timbers Research Station, Dr. Albert M. Laessle, University of Florida Route 1, Box 160, Tallahassee, FL 32301 Dr. Roy W. McDiarmid, Chairman Special Committee Mr. John C. Ogden, National Audubon Society, P.O. on Amphibians and Reptiles, University of South Box 231, Tavernier, FL 33070 Florida Dr. Peter C.H. Pritchard, Florida Audubon Society, Dr. Peter Pritchard, Florida Audubon Society P.O. Drawer 7, Maitland, FL 32751 Dr. William B. Robertson, Jr., Everglades National Park Dr. William G. Weaver, Department of Biology, Miami- Mr. Thomas Savage, Florida Department of Natural Dade Junior College, North, 11380 NW 27th Avenue, Resources Miami, FL 33167 Dr. Joseph L. Simon, Chairman Special Committee Consultants: on Freshwater and Marine Aquatic Invertebrates, Mr. James F. Berry, Department of Biology, University University of South Florida of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Dr. Daniel B. Ward, Chairman Special Committee on Mr. J. Steve Godley, Department of Biology, University Plants, University of Florida of South Florida, Tampa FL 33620 Dr. Howard V. Weems, Jr., Chairman Special Com- Mr. Howard Kochman, Department of Zoology, Uni- mittee on Insects and Terrestrial Invertebrates, Florida versity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Mr. Roger A. Sanderson, Department of Biology, Uni- Mr. Lovett Williams, Chairman Special Committee on versity of South Florida, Tampa FL 33620 Recommendations and Liaison, Florida Game and Dr. Robert M. Shealey, Biology Department, Pensacola Fresh Water Fish Commission Junior College, Pensacola, FL 32504 Cover photograph (by R.S. Simmons): Hyla andersonii Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida Peter C. H. Pritchard, SERIES EDITOR Volume Three Amphibians & Reptiles Edited by Roy W McDiarmid Chairman, Special Committee on Amphibians and Reptiles FLORIDA COMMITTEE ON RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS Sponsored by the FLORIDA AUDUBON SOCIETY and FLORIDA DEFENDERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT Publication funding provided by U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY and the EDWARD BALL WILDLIFE FOUNDATION Published for the ST A TE OF FLORIDA GAME AND FRESH WA TER FISH COMMISSION by UNIVERSITY PRESSES OF FLORIDA FAMU IF A U/FIU/FSU/FTU/UF/UNF/USF/UWF Gainesville Series note: Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, published under the general editorship of Peter C. H. Pritchard, in 1978 includes four volumes: Volume 1 - Mammals, edited by James N. Layne Volume 2 - Birds, edited by Herbert W. Kale II Volume 3 - Amphibians and Reptiles, edited by Roy W. McDiarmid Volume 4 — Fishes, edited by Carter R. Gilbert In preparation for later publication in the series are three additional volumes dealing with plants, invertebrates, and recommendations and liaison. Copyright © 1978 by the State of Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission All rights reserved Typeset by Copy Grafix, Tallahassee Printed by Douglas Printing Company, Jacksonville Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Main entry under title Rare and endangered biota of Florida. Includes bibliographies. CONTENTS: v. 1. Mammals. - v. 2. Birds. - v, 3. Amphibians and reptiles. - v. 4. Fishes. 1. Rare animals-Florida. 2. Rare plants-Florida. 3. Wildlife conservation-Florida. 1. Pritchard, Peter Charles Howard, 1943- II. Florida Audubon Society. HI. Flor- ida Defenders of the Environment. QL84.22.F6R37 596'.09759 78-12121 ISBN 0-8130-0619-8 (v.3) University Presses of Florida, a Type I institute of the State of Florida University System, is the publishing agency for Florida's nine public universities: Florida A & M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, Florida Technological University, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, and University of West Florida, The publishing unit of the organization is located at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Charged by Board of Regents policy with publication of "general works of particular interest and usefulness to the citizens of Florida," University Presses of Florida is pleased to be cooperating with the State of Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission in the publication of this series. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures iv Foreword by O.E. Frye, Jr v Preface by Peter C.H. Pritchard vi Introduction by Roy W. McDiarmid vii Acknowledgements ix Description of Major Terrestrial and Wetland Habitats of Florida by Brad Hartman xvi Definitions of Status Categories ., xx Species Lists xxi Species Accounts Amphibians 1 Endangered 3 Threatened 5 Rare 6 Status Undetermined 17 Reptiles 19 Endangered 21 Threatened 30 Rare 47 Species of Special Concern 65 Status Undetermined 69 LIST OF TABLES Table Page I. The number of species of Florida amphibians and reptiles in the five status categories of concern viii II. The distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the 67 counties of Florida x III. The distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the major terrestrial and aquatic habitats of Florida xiv LIST OF FIGURES Fig. Page 1. Hyla andersonii from near Dorcas, Okaloosa County, Florida (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 3 2. Rana areolata aesopus from near Waldo, Alachua County, Florida (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 5 3. Amphiuma pholeter {photograph by R.S. Simmons) 6 4. Desmognathus momkola (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 8 5. Haideotrkon wallacei (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 10 6. Hemidactylium scutatum (photograph by R.W. McDiarmid) 12 7. Siereochilus marginaius from S.R. 2, Baker County, Florida (photograph by R. W. McDiarmid) 13 8. Notophthalmus perstriaws (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 14 9. Rana virgatipes (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 16 10. Crocodyius acutus (photograph by P.C.H, Pritchard) 21 11. Chelonia mydas mydas (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 23 12. Eretmocheiys imbricate imbrkata (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 25 13. Lepidochelys kempii (photograph by P.C.H, Pritchard) 26 14. Nerodia fasciata taeniata from Volusia County, Florida (photograph by S.P. Christman) 27 15. Stilosoma extenuatum from near Ocala, Marion County, Florida (photograph by R.S- Simmons) .. 29 16. Stiiosoma extenuatum habitat in longieaf pine-xerophytic oak woodland near Silver Springs, Marion County, Florida (photograph by H.W. Campbell) 29 17. Kinosternon bauri bauri (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 31 18. Chrysemys concinna suwanniensis (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 32 19. Gopherus polyphemus (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 34 20. Caretta carelta catena (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 36 21. Eumeces egregius egregius from Saddlebunch Keys, Monroe County, Florida (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 37 22. Eumeces egregius iividus (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 39 23. Neoseps reynoidsi from Auburndale, Polk County, Florida (photograph by R.W. McDiarmid) 40 24. Diadophis punctaius acricus from Big Pine Key, Monroe County, Florida (photograph by S.P. Christman) 42 25. Elaphe guttata guilata from Marathon Key, Monroe County, Florida (photograph by R.S. Simmons) 43 26. Sioreria dekayi victa from Big Pine Key, Monroe County, Florida (photograph by S.P. Christman) 44 27. Tantilla ooiitica habitat in tropical hammocks on north Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida (photograph by H.W. Campbell) 45 28. Ciemmys guttata (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 48 29. Graptemys barhouri (photograph by R.A. Sanderson) 49 30. Graptemys pukhra (photograph by R.M. Shealy) 51 31. Trionyx muticus calvatus (photograph by Isabelle Hunt Conant) 53 32. Dermocheiys coriacea (photograph by P.C.H. Pritchard) 55 33. Scehporus woadi (photograph by R.S.