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Amphibians and Reptiles: An Introduction to Herpetofauna

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1 Amphibians and Reptiles: An Introduction to Herpetofauna
Eastern Hognose Snake (Photo by Pierson Hill), Green Tree Frog (Photo by Aubrey Heupel) Edited for Virginia by Mike Clifford, Virginia Herpetological Society Eastern Hognose Snake Green Tree Frog

2 Amphibians and Reptiles
Regulate temperature from outside sources Ectothermic Photos by J.D. Willson Northern Watersnake, Yellowbelly Sliders Yellow-bellied Sliders Northern Watersnake

3 Amphibians and Reptiles
Secretive Can be very difficult to find Green Frog Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Photo by M.E. Dorcas), Creek (Photo by K. Cecala), Green Frog (Photo by J.D. Willson) Northern Copperhead

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

5 Three-Lined Salamander
Amphibians 78 species in Virginia (51 salamanders & 27 frogs & toads) SE U.S.A. has the highest diversity of salamanders in the world! Three-Lined Salamander Grey Tree Frog (Photo by J.D. Willson), Spring Salamander, Three-Lined Salamander (Photos by K. Cecala) Spring Salamander Grey Tree Frog

6 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

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

8 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

9 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

10 Amphibian Life Cycle Upland Chrous Frog Frog Eggs Spring Peeper Cricket Frog Spring Peeper Metamorph Pine Woods Tree Frog Tadpole Frog Eggs (J.D. Willson), Pine Woods Tree Frog Tadpole (J. D. Willson), Spring Peeper tadpole/metamorph (K Cecala), Cricket Frog (K. Cecala), Spring peeper(Aubrey Heupel), Upland Chorus Frog (J. D. Willson)

11 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

12 Reptiles 62 reptile species in Virginia
Bog Turtle Green Anole 62 reptile species in Virginia 3 groups: 30 snakes, 10 lizards including one introduced, 22 turtles. 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 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) Copperhead

13 Crocodilians American Alligator – not native to Virginia but is found just to the south in North Carolina Photo by J. D. Willson American Alligator American Alligators

14 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)

15 What turtles are found in the ocean?
Sea Turtles All are endangered Crush in Finding Nemo Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (top – J.D. Willson, both bottom – photos by Michael Jenson)

16 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

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

18 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

19 Snakes 30 species in Virginia 3 venomous species
Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake. Most species are non-venomous Scarlet Kingsnake – non-venomous Photos by J.D. Willson: Scarlet Kingsnake, Ringneck Snake, Black Rat Snake. Copperhead photo by Mike Clifford. Ringneck Snake – non-venomous Copperhead - venomous Black Rat Snake – non-venomous

20 Snakes All lack legs Lack ear openings Shed their skin to grow
Hear vibrations through the ground Shed their skin to grow Timber Rattlesnake Ringneck Snake 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 Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

21 Snake Feeding Entirely carnivorous Swallow prey whole
2 methods to capture prey for consumption Constriction Poison Eastern Cottonmouth eating a mouse Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake swallowing a cottontail rabbit (photo by Drew Sanders), Scarlet Kingsnake swallowing a Green Anole (photo by J.D. Willson) Northern Watersnake eating a fish

22 Eastern Spadefoot Toad
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 Six-lined Racerunner Eastern Spadefoot Toad Spotted Salamander (photo by J.D. Willson), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (photo by Eric Stine), Eastern Spadefoot (Photo by J.D. Willson)

23 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

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

25 Questions? Corn Snake Corn Snake

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