Amphibians and Reptiles: An Introduction to Herpetofauna Compiled by the Davidson College Herpetology Laboratory Hognose Snake Green Tree Frog Edited for Virginia by Mike Clifford, Virginia Herpetological Society

Herpetofauna Amphibians (51 salamander s & 27 frogs & toads in VA) Amphibians (51 salamander s & 27 frogs & toads in VA) Reptiles (30 snakes, 10 lizards, & 22 turtles in VA) Reptiles (30 snakes, 10 lizards, & 22 turtles in VA) Important to their environment Important to their environment Why? Why? Ringneck Snake Green SalamanderPainted Turtle hatchlings

Amphibians Skin Skin Breathe through their skin Breathe through their skin Must stay moist Must stay moist Good sense of smell Good sense of smell Food: Food: Insects Insects Anything that will fit into their mouths Anything that will fit into their mouths Grey Tree Frog Bullfrog Spotted Salamander

Amphibian Life Cycle Upland Chrous FrogFrog Eggs Spring Peeper Cricket Frog Spring Peeper Metamorph Pine Woods Tree Frog Tadpole

Frogs Good jumpers Good jumpers Tadpoles as babies Tadpoles as babies Lose their tails as adults Lose their tails as adults Spring Peeper Spring Peeper tadpole Southern Leopard Frog Upland Chorus Frog

Toads Similar to frogs Similar to frogs Warty skin Warty skin Gland behind their eye secretes poison Gland behind their eye secretes poison American Toad Fowler’s Toad

Salamanders Some have lungs Some have lungs Some don’t have lungs Some don’t have lungs Breathe entirely through their skin Breathe entirely through their skin Lay eggs in a variety of habitats Lay eggs in a variety of habitats Land Land Stream Stream Wetland Wetland Slimy Salamander Red Salamander Spotted Salamander Dusky Salamander

Reptiles Alligator (not in VA) Alligator (not in VA) Turtles (22 VA species) Turtles (22 VA species) Lizards (10 VA species) Lizards (10 VA species) Snakes (30 VA species) Snakes (30 VA species) Give birth to live young or lay terrestrial Give birth to live young or lay terrestrial eggs with leathery shells Have scales or scutes Have scales or scutes Copperhead Ringneck Snake River Cooters

Crocodilians American Alligator – not native to Virginia but is found just to the south in North Carolina American Alligator – not native to Virginia but is found just to the south in North Carolina American Alligators

Turtles Backbone attached to shell Backbone attached to shell Omnivorous: Will eat plants or animals Omnivorous: Will eat plants or animals Particularly likes insects and worms Particularly likes insects and worms Found in 3 habitats: freshwater, saltwater, on land Found in 3 habitats: freshwater, saltwater, on land Yellow-bellied Sliders Eastern Painted Turtle

What type of turtle would you find in the ocean? Sea Turtles Sea Turtles All species are endangered. All species are endangered. Crush from Finding Nemo Crush from Finding Nemo Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Ponds and Rivers Snapping Turtle Eastern Mud Turtle Eastern Painted Turtle Bog Turtle Common Musk Turtle

Your Backyard Box Turtle! Box Turtle!

Lizards Many different species Many different species A lot of islands have species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth A lot of islands have species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth Broadhead Skink Ground Skink Five-Lined Skink Fence Lizard

Snakes Snakes can be venomous and dangerous, but most are not going to hurt you. Snakes can be venomous and dangerous, but most are not going to hurt you. Snakes don’t have legs. Snakes don’t have legs. Shed their skin. Shed their skin. Black Racer Scarlet Kingsnake Ringneck Snake

Snake Feeding Eat only animals Eat only animals Swallow their food whole Swallow their food whole Can eat animals bigger than themselves Can eat animals bigger than themselves 3 main methods 3 main methods Constriction Constriction Venom Venom Swallow live prey Swallow live prey Eastern Cottonmouth eating a mouse Northern Watersnake eating a fish

Conservation Problem: Problem: Fewer amphibians and reptiles exist today than did in the past Fewer amphibians and reptiles exist today than did in the past More amphibians are endangered than any birds or mammals More amphibians are endangered than any birds or mammals Bog TurtleSpring Salamander Spring Peeper Timber Rattlesnake

Watch, but don’t touch or keep any amphibians or reptiles you find. Watch, but don’t touch or keep any amphibians or reptiles you find. If you find an amphibian or reptile, let your parents know. If you find an amphibian or reptile, let your parents know. Don’t kill snakes Don’t kill snakes Don’t release any amphibian or reptile pet into the wild Don’t release any amphibian or reptile pet into the wild What can you do to help?

Questions? Corn Snake