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Reptiles and Amphibians
North American Wildlife
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Reptiles Scales or plates Eggs with leathery skins
Internal fertilization Claws on feet Young look like parents just smaller versions Alligators, crocodiles, turtles, lizards and snakes
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Reptiles 4 Groups: Alligators, Turtles, Lizards, Snakes
Bog Turtle Green Anole 4 Groups: Alligators, Turtles, Lizards, Snakes Antarctica only continent without reptiles First animal with a backbone to become independent of water for breeding Lays terrestrial eggs or gives birth to live young Copperhead Green Anole (photo by J.D. Willson), Bog Turtle (Phot by M.E. Dorcas), Copperhead (Photo by J.D. Willson), American Alligator (Photo by M.E. Dorcas) American Alligator
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Reptile Eggs Eggs have a shell and membrane for protection and to keep from drying out Shells feel leathery – tiny holes allow oxygen in and carbon dioxide out Eggs are laid on dry land
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Alligators and Crocks American Alligator and American Crocodile
Excellent hearing Carnivores- do not chew their food Moms- cows take care of young for up to a year Hold breath under water for more then an hour Can swim up to 20 mph, run up to 11 mph
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How to tell the difference?
Gators Wide U shaped jaw Fourth tooth on lower jaw is covered by upper lip Normally in fresh water Crocks More pointed V shaped snouts Fourth tooth on lower jaw can be seen when jaw is shut Normally in salt water
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Eastern Painted Turtles
Backbone incorporated into their shell Lack teeth Has a beak similar to a bird Omnivorous: Eats plants and animals Particularly enjoys insects and worms Eastern Painted Turtles Eastern Painted Turtles (top – J.D. Willson, bottom – Kristine Greyson)
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What turtles are found in ponds and rivers?
Common Musk Turtle Eastern Painted Turtle Eastern Painted Turtle, Common Musk Turtle, River Cooter, Eastern Mud Turtle (Photos by J.D. Willson), Snapping Turtle (Photo by M.D. Dorcas) Snapping Turtle Eastern Mud Turtle River Cooter
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Lizards Ears Variable and diverse One group has lost their legs
Distinguishing characteristic from snakes Variable and diverse Many islands have species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. One group has lost their legs Called Glass Lizards Slender Glass Lizard Fence Lizard Slender Glass Lizard (Photo by J.D. Willson), Fence Lizard (Photo by K. Cecala), Five-Lined Skink, Broadhead Skink, Slender Glass Lizard (Photos by J. D. Willson) Five-Lined Skink Broadhead Skink Slender Glass Lizard
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Snakes 17 Species in New York Garter snake and water snake most common
3 Venomous species Copperhead (southern NYS, Timber Rattlesnake (most common), Massasauga Rattlesnake (mistakenly called Pygmy Rattlesnake) Most species are non-venomous Ringneck Snake Black Racer Photos by J.D. Willson Ringneck Snake, Black Racer, Eastern Kingsnake, Timber Rattlesnake (Canebrake), Redbelly Watersnake, Scarlet Kingsnake Timber Rattlesnake Eastern Milk Snake Eastern Garter Snake
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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Snakes Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake All lack legs Lack ear openings Hear vibrations through the ground Shed their skin to grow Ringneck Snake Coachwhip Coachwhip, Black Rat Snake (Photos by J.D. Willson), Ringneck snake (Photo by M.E. Dorcas), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (photo by J.D. Willson) Black Rat Snake
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Snake Feeding Entirely carnivorous Swallow prey whole
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake swallowing a Cottontail Rabbit Entirely carnivorous Swallow prey whole 2 methods to capture prey for consumption Constriction Poison Scarlet Kingsnake swallowing a Green Anole Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake swallowing a cottontail rabbit (photo by Drew Sanders), Scarlet Kingsnake swallowing a Green Anole (photo by J.D. Willson)
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Amphibians Moist skin with no visible scales Not clawed Eggs in water
External fertilization Larval stage before adulthood Metamorphosis Frogs, toads, newts and salamanders
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Amphibian Characteristics
Four Toed Salamander Skin: Moist Breathe through their skin Good sense of smell Amphibians eat: Insects Anything that will fit into their mouths: including other amphibians Southern Leopard Frog Four Toed Salamander (Photo by Steve Price), Southern Leopard Frog, Green Tree Frog (photos by J. D. Willson) Green Tree Frog
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Frogs Tadpoles when they are born Lose their tails as adults
Two main types: True Frogs Tree Frogs Toe-pads Upland chorus Frog, Pickerel Frog, Bronze Frog (Photos by J.D. Willson), Spring Peeper metamorph (Photo by K. Cecala), Green Tree Frog (Photo by J.D. Willson), Grey Treefrog (Photo by Aubrey heupel)
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Toads Similar to frogs Tail-less as adults Warty skin
Have large glands behind each eye that produce poison American Toad American Toad, Fowler’s Toad Photos by J.D. Willson Fowler’s Toad
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Salamanders Spring Salamander Plethodontids: Don’t have lungs and must breathe entirely through their skin Ambystomatids: Have lungs, but can also breathe through their skin Salamanders can lay eggs in: Streams Wetlands Soil Marbled Salamander Spring Salamander (Photo by Pierson Hill), Marbled Salamander (Photo by K. Cecala), Two-Lined Salamander (Photo by Pierson Hill) Two-lined Salamander
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Amphibian Defense Methods
Poison in skin Toads and Newts Producing large numbers of offspring Producing noisy squawks when attacked Red-Spotted Newt Photos by J.D. Willson Red-Spotted Newt, American Toad, Green Frog Tadpole American Toad Green Frog Tadpole
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Conservation Many species are in decline
More amphibian species are endangered than birds or mammals Few species are becoming more abundant Can you think of any reasons? Spotted Salamander (photo by J.D. Willson), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (photo by Eric Stine), Eastern Spadefoot (Photo by J.D. Willson) Spotted Salamander Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Eastern Spadefoot Toad
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Causes of Declines Habitat destruction Pollution
Building houses, parking lots, shopping centers Cutting down trees Filling in wetlands and ponds Pollution Trash and chemicals that are harmful to wild animals Photo by Steve Price Photos by Steve Price
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What can you do? Photos by Lauren Harshaw Photo by K. Cecala Watch, but don’t touch or keep any amphibians or reptiles you find. Don’t kill snakes Don’t release any amphibian or reptile pet into the wild
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