Amphibians and Reptiles: An Introduction to Herpetofauna Compiled by the Davidson College Herpetology Laboratory Eastern Hognose Snake Green Tree Frog

Amphibians and Reptiles Regulate temperature from outside sources Regulate temperature from outside sources Ectothermic Ectothermic Yellowbelly Sliders Northern Watersnake

Amphibians and Reptiles Secretive Secretive Can be very difficult to find Can be very difficult to find Green Frog Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Amphibians and Reptiles Important to their ecosystem Important to their ecosystem Food for many other animals such as raccoons, opossums, and birds Food for many other animals such as raccoons, opossums, and birds Control abundance of mice, rats, and bugs Control abundance of mice, rats, and bugs Ringneck Snake Spotted Salamander Worm Snake Green Salamander

Amphibians 88 species in North Carolina 88 species in North Carolina North Carolina has the highest diversity of salamanders in the world! North Carolina has the highest diversity of salamanders in the world! Spring SalamanderThree-Lined Salamander Grey Tree Frog

Amphibian Characteristics Skin: Skin: Moist Moist Breathe through their skin Breathe through their skin Good sense of smell Good sense of smell Amphibians eat: Amphibians eat: Insects Insects Anything that will fit into their mouths: including other amphibians Anything that will fit into their mouths: including other amphibians Four Toed Salamander Southern Leopard Frog Green Tree Frog

Frogs Tadpoles when they are born Tadpoles when they are born Lose their tails as adults Lose their tails as adults Two main types: Two main types: True Frogs True Frogs Tree Frogs Tree Frogs Toe-pads Toe-pads Bronze Frog Spring Peeper Metamorph Grey Tree Frog Green Tree Frog Upland Chrous FrogPickerel Frog

Toads Similar to frogs Similar to frogs Tail-less as adults Tail-less as adults Warty skin Warty skin Have large glands behind each eye that produce poison Have large glands behind each eye that produce poison Fowler’s Toad American Toad

Salamanders Plethodontids: Don’t have lungs and must breathe entirely through their skin Plethodontids: Don’t have lungs and must breathe entirely through their skin Ambystomatids: Have lungs, but can also breathe through their skin Ambystomatids: Have lungs, but can also breathe through their skin Salamanders can lay eggs in: Salamanders can lay eggs in: Streams Streams Wetlands Wetlands Soil Soil Marbled Salamander Two-lined SalamanderSpring Salamander

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

Amphibian Defense Methods Poison in skin Poison in skin Toads and Newts Toads and Newts Producing large numbers of offspring Producing large numbers of offspring Producing noisy squawks when attacked Producing noisy squawks when attacked Green Frog Tadpole American Toad Red-Spotted Newt

Reptiles 70 different species in North Carolina 70 different species in North Carolina 4 Groups: Alligators, Turtles, Lizards, Snakes 4 Groups: Alligators, Turtles, Lizards, Snakes Antarctica only continent without reptiles Antarctica only continent without reptiles First animal with a backbone to become independent of water for breeding First animal with a backbone to become independent of water for breeding Lays terrestrial eggs or gives birth to live young Lays terrestrial eggs or gives birth to live young Bog Turtle Green Anole Copperhead American Alligator

Crocodilians American Alligator the only species in North Carolina American Alligator the only species in North Carolina American Alligator

Turtles Backbone incorporated into their shell Backbone incorporated into their shell Lack teeth Lack teeth Has a beak similar to a bird Has a beak similar to a bird Omnivorous: Eats plants and animals Omnivorous: Eats plants and animals Particularly enjoys insects and worms Particularly enjoys insects and worms Eastern Painted Turtles

What turtles are found in the ocean? Sea Turtles Sea Turtles All are endangered All are endangered Crush in Finding Nemo Crush in Finding Nemo Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

What turtles are found in ponds and rivers? River Cooter Common Musk Turtle Eastern Painted Turtle Eastern Mud Turtle Snapping Turtle

What turtles can you find in your backyard? Box turtles! Box turtles! Photo by J.D. Willson

Lizards Ears Ears Distinguishing characteristic from snakes Distinguishing characteristic from snakes Variable and diverse Variable and diverse Many islands have species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Many islands have species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. One group has lost their legs One group has lost their legs Called Glass Lizards Called Glass Lizards Fence Lizard Slender Glass Lizard Five-Lined Skink Broadhead Skink Slender Glass Lizard

Snakes 37 Species in North Carolina 37 Species in North Carolina 6 Venomous species 6 Venomous species Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Coral Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and Pigmy Rattlesnake Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Coral Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and Pigmy Rattlesnake Most species are non- venomous Most species are non- venomous Scarlet Kingsnake Redbelly Watersnake Ringneck Snake Black Racer Eastern KingsnakeTimber Rattlesnake

Snakes All lack legs All lack legs Lack ear openings Lack ear openings Hear vibrations through the ground Hear vibrations through the ground Shed their skin to grow Shed their skin to grow Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Coachwhip Ringneck Snake Black Rat Snake

Snake Feeding Entirely carnivorous Entirely carnivorous Swallow prey whole Swallow prey whole 2 methods to capture prey for consumption 2 methods to capture prey for consumption Constriction Constriction Poison Poison Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake swallowing a Cottontail Rabbit Scarlet Kingsnake swallowing a Green Anole

Many species are in decline Many species are in decline More amphibian species are endangered than birds or mammals More amphibian species are endangered than birds or mammals Few species are becoming more abundant Few species are becoming more abundant Can you think of any reasons? Can you think of any reasons? Conservation Spotted Salamander Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Eastern Spadefoot Toad

Causes of Declines Habitat destruction Habitat destruction Building houses, parking lots, shopping centers Building houses, parking lots, shopping centers Cutting down trees Cutting down trees Filling in wetlands and ponds Filling in wetlands and ponds Pollution Pollution Trash and chemicals that are harmful to wild animals Trash and chemicals that are harmful to wild animals Photo by Steve Price Photos by Steve Price

What can you do? 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 Photos by Lauren Harshaw Photo by K. Cecala

Questions? Corn Snake