The Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern Minnesota By: Christopher E. Smith Erica P. Hoaglund

northern leopard frog Photo by J. LeClere A-typical morph Dorsal lateral ridges “Leopard print” coloration

American toad Photo by J. LeClere Feigning death Click to hear American toad call

mink frog Click to hear a mink frog call Lacking dorsal lateral ridges Green upper lip Hind foot webbing

green frog Click to hear green frog call Male Female HAS dorsal lateral ridges Green upper lip

wood frog Click to hear wood Frog chorus Wood frogs in amplexus White upper lip Dark mask behind eyes

blue-spotted salamander Blue-spotted coloration 10 to 15 cm Forest dweller, near small ponds with moist soil

tiger salamander Abundant cosmopolitan species, but very secretive Larva aquatic, thus require permanent bodies of water in which to breed

eastern garter snake 3 Yellow stripes Harmless Most common species of snake in Minnesota Found in a variety of habitat types, often close to human activity

redbelly snake Bright red underbelly scales 10 to 25 cm long Harmless Ovoviviparous Found throughout Minnesota

painted turtle Abundant species in Minnesota Often found in close proximity to human activities Often seen in the spring crossing roads

common snapping turtle Largest species of turtle in Minnesota Omnivorous Capable of eating waterfowl, but rarely eat game fish

More info-  For info on all of Minnesota’s herps visit-  For info on all of Iowa’s herps visit- Other useful links- The Minnesota Herpetological Society The Minnesota Herpetological Society H.E.R.P. - Herpetological Education & Research Project H.E.R.P. - Herpetological Education & Research Project Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles The Center For North American Herpetology The Center For North American Herpetology