Snakes, Reptiles and Amphibians

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Snakes

Ring Neck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) : This little guy only grows to about 6 inches in length. Photo by Ken Clark.

Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis): Common but not in October! Harmless. Location: Sherman's Gap Trail, GWNF, Massanutten Mt, VA.

Plain ol' Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon): Non-poisonous but still gives me the hebee gebees! Location: The Forks of Red Creek, Dolly Sods, MNF, WV.

Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi): Habitat - woods, swamp and creek borders. Photo by Ken Clark.

Common Black Snake (Elaphe obsoleta):  Up to 5 feet in lenght. Constricts birds and rodents. Photo by Ken Clark.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus): Inhabits rocky areas. Coils and rattles before striking. Poisonous! Location: Massanutten Mt, GWNF, VA. Photo by Tony Van Vugt.

Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix): Head coppery red. Hour glass pattern on the body. Can be found anywhere but is particularly fond of rocky areas. Poisonous. Location: Weverton Cliffs, MD.Photo by Sue Muller.

Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum): Up to 30 inches. Constricts rodents and other snakes. Location: Bear Rocks Tr, Dolly Sods, WV. Photo by Craig Ross.

Turtles

Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina): Terrestrial.  Photo by Ken Clark.

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Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta ): Becoming scarce. Found this one on Long Pond Trail, Green Ridge State Forest, MD.

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One Very Large Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina ): Photograped by Doug Trimble. Location: C&O Canal, Great Falls National Park, MD. Photo by Doug Trimble.

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Top Photo - Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)apparently building a nest. Location: Flag Ponds Nature Park, MD. Photo by Ken Clark.

Bottom photo: walking across a road. Photo by Anita Mueller.

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Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans): Great Falls NP, MD. Photo by Ken Clark.

 

Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum ) - 3-4 inches. Olive to dark brown. Photo by Ken Clark.

 

 

Diamond Back Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin): Region's most common saltwater turtle and namesake of the Maryland Terrapins. Photo by Dimitri Tundra.

 

Eastern Red-bellied Turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris): Deep ponds, rivers, lakes and brackish marshes. Photo by Dimitri Tundra.

 

 

Frogs and Toads

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American Toad (Bufo americanus)
: Grows to 3 inches. This one was a bit larger and very plump. This might not be a correct ID. Location: Bluff Trail, SNP, VA.

Fowler's Toad (Bufo fowleri): Formerly considered a race of Woodhouse's Toad (B. Woodhousii): Grey to brown with black marks outlined in white. White medial stripe. Location: Assateague Island, VA. Photo by Mary Noel.

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Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica): Only about 2 inches long. Don Ni saw this one on Red Creek Tr, Dolly Sods, MNF.

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Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor): This little guy (less than 2 inches) can change from grey to brown to green rather quickly to match his surroundings. Makes a trilling sound ... like a turkey. Location: Great Falls National Park, MD. Photo by Ken Clark.

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Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) jumping across some moss. Photo by Ken Clark.

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana): Yellowish green with dark mottling on the top top. Yellow under side. Up to 5 inches in length. Females can lay up to 20,000 egs! Photo by Anita Mueller.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans): Dark brown/green above, legs have black bands. Stands on hind legs when cornered and lets out an eek sound before leaping. Location: Assateague Island, VA. Photo by Mary Noel.

Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea): Only grow to 1.5 inches. Note the Bright green with pale cream underside. Some do not have the stripe down the side. Photo donated by Saki.

Newts/Salamanders

and Lizards

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Lead-backed Salamander : Variant of the Northern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus). Lives in moist areas, under logs and rocks. Nocturnal. Location: Rose River Tr, SNP, VA. 

Five Lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus): Smooth scales. Grows to 5.5 inches. Young specimens have an iridescent blue tail. Location: Great Falls NP, MD. Photo by Ken Clark. Juvenile photo: Sunset Rocks, PA by Matt Culbertson.

Broad-Headed Skink (Eumeces laticeps). This kind of lizard often climbs trees to get at insects (note the ant at the bottom edge of the hole). Overall Run Trail, SNP. Photo by Ken Clark.
 

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Fence Lizards (Sceloporus undulatus): Very Common. They will freeze when detected and rely on their camouflage to protect themselves. Photo by Ken Clark.

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Red Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) (Terestrial form): Can be found on trails far from water. The adult form is green and aquatic, never leaving the water. Location: Seneca Creek Trail, MNF, WV.

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Spotted Newt (Aquatic form): Olive drab with orange spots and larger, flatter tail. Seen here copulating. Photo by Ken Clark. C&O Canal tow path near Paw Paw Tunnel, MD.

Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda): 5 inches. Found stream0side and at the mouths of caves. Nocturnal except on rainy days. Location: PA. Photo by Ken Clark.

 

 

Others

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Electric Blue Crayfish: Because of the low light conditions the brilliant neon blue of this little fellow does not come through in this photo. Can be found 100s of yards (miles) from any apparent water source. I've been told by rangers that they migrate via underground streams. This one was high up on the North Face Trail in the Tea Creek Backcountry, MNF, WV.

 

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