1. Michigan’s Herpetofauna
Herpetology is the study of Reptiles and Amphibians
Nathan Richendollar

2. Michigan’s salamanders
While the United States has over 200 species and subspecies of salamanders, Michigan has fifteen
These salamanders can be divided into Six Groups: The Mole Salamanders (7), the Appalachian Salamanders (2), the Newts (2), the full-aquatic salamanders (2), the fully terrestrial salamanders (1), and the bog salamanders (1)
Salamanders are amphibians, meaning that they lay their eggs in water, have a cloacae, absorb things through their skin, and generally like moist areas
The slime of amphibian skin is antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-fungal
Salamanders live in forests, but almost never pine forests

3. The Seven Mole Salamanders
Mole Salamanders all belong to the genus Ambystoma and breed with the first warm spring rains after the thaw with the exception of the Marbled Salamander, which breeds in the fall
They live in moist forest areas and need vernal pools to breed (small ponds in woodlands that fill up in the spring) (Huge mass migration!)
Michigan has seven mole “sallies”: Smallmouth (state endangered), Spotted, Blue-spotted, Silvery and Tremblay’s (unisexual hybrids), Marbled (state endangered), and Eastern Tiger
Mole Salamanders are tough to find outside the breeding season
Marbled
Spotted
E. Tiger
Smallmouth
“Blue-spot”

4. The Two Appalachian Mysteries
We have two Appalachian salamanders: The Northern Dusky and the Southern Two-Lined, both of which only live in a few square miles in Tuscola County
These salamanders are “lung less”, which means that they absorb oxygen directly from flowing water, a good way to be in the Appalachian Mountains, not so much in the Midwest
These species were both discovered after 2005 at the same site, no one knows how they got here
These species prefer rocky streams, springs, and nearby woods
Northern Dusky
Southern Two-Lined

5. The Newts
A newt is different from a salamander in that it has dry, rough skin, unlike the smooth skin of most salamanders (Think Frog v. Toad). Newts prefer to live in permanent standing water and the surrounding woods.
Newts go through an “eft” phase and an aquatic phase of life
Michigan has two newts: The Eastern Red-Spotted Newt and the Eastern Central Newt
Red-Spotted Newts live in the Southern and Eastern portions of Michigan, the Central Newt lives everywhere else
Central
Red-spotted adult
Red Eft stage

6. Terrestrial Sallies
Michigan only has one fully terrestrial salamander: the Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon Cinereus)
The Red-back prefers woodlands and deciduous forests, and is the most common salamander in Michigan
The Red-back is the only skinny salamander in the state, and comes in two forms: Red-backed and lead-backed
Red-backs breed on land, and don’t need vernal pools
Most hardy salamanders in the state, have been found in Wayne co.
3600/acre in good forests
Red-Back and Lead-Back

7. The fully aquatic salamanders
Fully aquatic salamanders never lose their gills (or what look like gills), and remain in water all of their lives
Michigan has two: the Western Lesser Siren and the Mudpuppy
The Mudpuppy prefers cold, deep waters such as Lake St. Clair, while the Siren is found in shallow, muddy waters
The Siren was only known from a few Southwestern counties, and hasn’t been sighted for at least a score in MI (species of special concern)
Mudpuppy
W Lesser Siren

8. The Four-toed
The Four-toed salamander is associated with sphagnum bogs (mossy bogs), and lays its eggs in March and April
It is a purplish-pink with a white and black mottled underside
Because of its specific habitat requirements, the Four-toed is relatively rare across Michigan, although it is common when proper habitat is present
It is more common in Northern Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula

9. Frogs and Toads
Michigan has Thirteen Frogs and Toads that can be divided into five categories: the True Frogs (genus Lithobates) (6), Treefrogs (genus hyla) (2), Toads (Genus Anaxyrus) (2), early spring frogs (2), and cricket frogs (1)
While the young of salamanders are called larvae, the larvae of toads are called tadpoles, and the larvae of frogs are polliwogs
Like salamanders, Frogs and Toads must breed in water, but they are much more conspicuous due to their vocalization
Each frog and toad species has a unique call and breeding season
All amphibians hear through a tempanic membrane behind their eyes, which can be used to differentiate males and females
Frogs make calls through their vocal sacs

10. The calls On the internet, you can get any frog call for free
I will play Michigan’s now
A poem to remember them easily: I will pass it out
If you don’t know, and a Fowler’s toad, a Mink Frog, or a Blanchard’s cricket frog is one of the options, consider your location
Use common sense with regards to the habitat
Videos of frogs calling are widely available on youtube
Bullfrog Calling

11. The true frogs (Lithobates)
Our state has six true frogs: The Green Frog, the Bullfrog, the Northern Leopard Frog, the Pickerel Frog, the Mink Frog, and the Wood Frog
True frogs generally prefer marshes, ponds, and other large areas of standing water, with the exception of the Wood Frog
Mink Frogs are only found in the U.P.
The true frogs often prey on one another
The most common image we have in our heads of a normal frog
How to tell Bullfrogs from Green Frogs
Green Frog
Bullfrog

12. Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvatica) prefers woodlands with vernal pools and breeds alongside Spotted Salamanders in March and April
Mink Frogs breed in May and June in the UP, and prefer deep, cold lakes, ponds, and swift-flowing streams
Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) come in a green and a brown phase with huge spots, prefer slow streams, grassy meadows, and shallow marshes, and are preyed upon by Bullfrogs
Pickerel Frogs are given away by their two rows of square spots and yellow bellies. They inhabit the same habitat as Leopard Frogs but are more rare

13. The Treefrogs
Michigan has two treefrogs: The Common Eastern Gray and the Cope’s Gray
These two species are indistinguishable without DNA analysis, and have nearly identical calls (short trills)
They prefer old-growth and pine woodlands, and are far more common in the northern portions of the state than the southern LP
They are light gray with dark gray patterns
Treefrog polliwogs are easily identifiable by their bright red tails
Cope’s gray treefrog
Common gray

14. The Toads (Anaxyrus)
Michigan has two toads: The Eastern American and the Fowler’s
The Fowler’s toad only lives in a few southeastern counties, and is easily recognized by its scream-like call
American toad tadpoles are small and black, thousands may be seen at one time
American toad juveniles are the “sand toads” of northern Michigan
Toads have rough skin as opposed to frogs, and aren’t as fond of water
Toads lay their eggs in strings rather than clumps
Eastern American Toad
Fowler’s Toad

15. The early spring frogs
These Frogs are not formally grouped together, I just group them together because of when they breed
Spring Peepers are pinkish tan or brownish tan with a dark X on their back and breed in woodland vernal pools along with sallies
Western Chorus Frogs are the earliest breeding frogs in the state, and utilize ditches, marshes, and vernal pools alike, making a repeated clicking sound
Chorus Frogs are tan with black or dark brown lines on their sides
Both of these frogs are less than 2” in diameter
Spring Peeper
Western Chorus Frog

16. The Cricket Frog
Michigan’s cricket frog is the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
It has not been sighted in Michigan for years, and is exceedingly rare north of Southern Illinois
It is brown with a large green stripe on its back
It has a chisel-like call
It prefers wet meadows and marshes
The Cricket Frog is 2-4” long and breeds in April in most of its range (state endangered)

17. The Lizards (Lee-zards)
Lizards are Reptiles, meaning that they prefer dry, hot areas to soak up energy through warmth and sunlight, making Michigan a less than ideal state for them
Reptiles have scaly skin and lay their eggs on land
Their eggs are hard-shelled like bird eggs unlike the amphibians
Michigan has but two Lizards: The Five-Lined Skink and the Six-Lined Racerunner. Both species prefer rocky, dry hardwood forests
Six-lined racerunners live only in one locale in Tuscola County, and were discovered in the 2000s (closest population in Central Illinois)
The Five-lined skink is widespread but rare
6-lined racerunner
5-lined skink

18. Michigan’s Turtles
Michigan has eleven turtles that belong to five different categories: the water turtles (3), the Snappers (1), the Woodland Turtles (3), the invasive turtles (2), and the map and musk turtles (2)
Turtles have a carapace (shell) and a plastron (underside), and have a cloacae like amphibians. Turtles breed in the summer.
Michigan’s turtles range in size from 3” to 2’ in diameter
Michigan’s largest turtle is the Common Snapping Turtle, and the smallest is the Spotted Turtle (state threatened)
Most turtles live in larger bodies of water than amphibians

19. The common water turtles
The Common Water Turtles are the Midland Painted Turtle, the Eastern Spiny Soft-shell and the Blanding’s Turtle (species of sc)
Blanding’s Turtles are large black turtles with a dome-shaped shell and a yellow throat, usually with yellow dots on the shell, they like sandy-bottomed water courses and weedy waters (12”)
The Midland Painted Turtle is the most common turtle in the state, and prefers shallow waters and small lakes with abundant logs (4-8”)
The Eastern Spiny Soft-shell is a vicious turtle that can stretch its neck behind itself to bit its handler. It is large and tan, and prefers huge bodies of water like open marshes or large lakes. It obviously has a soft shell. Its nose looks like that of a pig.
E Spiny Soft-shell
Midland Painted
Blanding’s Turtle

20. Woodland Turtles
Michigan has three turtles associated with woodland habitats: the Spotted Turtle (state threatened), the Wood Turtle (species of sc), and the Eastern Box Turtle (species of sc)
The Wood Turtle generally prefers moist woodland habitats that would harbor salamanders, has a flat, gray carapace, and an orange-yellow neck (however, it will also venture into swift streams near forests)
The Spotted Turtle lives in deep woodland pools and marshes, and is Michigan’s only spring-breeding turtle (April). It is a small, black turtle with large yellow spots on its shell
The Box Turtle is Michigan’s only truly terrestrial turtle, with an orange or yellow carapace and a box-like shape; it prefers drier woodlands. Its diet consists mainly of berries and insects.
Eastern Box Turtle
Wood Turtle
Spotted Turtle

21. Invasive Turtles
Two species of Invasive turtles from the American Southland: The Eastern River Cooter and the Red-eared slider have been able to outcompete native turtles and hold on
The Eastern River Cooter is found along the Huron River in Wayne County, the Red-eared slider is found in Saint Clair and Macomb Counties
Red-eared sliders have a big red patch behind their ear openings, and have a large brown carapace. The young are bright green.
Cooters are like giant painted turtles with flat shells and more frequent basking habits
Red-eared Slider
Eastern River Cooter

22. Musk and Map Turtles
Musk Turtles are also called “Stinkpots” in Michigan because of the foul smell they emit when handled to scare away predators
Musk turtles are small and brown with a half-circle shaped shell, and prefer small lakes and weedy areas within larger watercourses
Map turtles are distinctive because of the map-type design on their carapace
Map turtles prefer clearer water, but are not very picky about their habitat
Northern Map Turtles are uncommon in Michigan
Stinkpot
Northern Map Turtle

23. The Snapper
The United States has three snapping turtles, and Michigan has one of them: the Common Snapping Turtle
The Common Snapper is usually between one and two feet in diameter with a semi-domed black shell and a pentagon-shaped face
Snappers are vicious but cannot stretch their necks like Softshells
Snappers are the second most common turtle in the state, and live in any water, from a mud wallow to a vernal pool to a large lake
Snappers are the most carnivorous turtles in MI; they eat frogs, smaller turtles, snakes, and salamanders
Common Snapping Turtles

24. Michigan’s serpents
Our state has seventeen snakes that can be divided into four categories: the small non-venomous land snakes (7), the water snakes (5), the large non-venomous land snakes (4), and the venomous snakes (1)
The pit vipers and water snakes see through infrared vision via pits below their noses
Snakes can “smell” with their tongues, and their only prey items are mammals and amphibians
Most snakes prefer hotter, drier areas like lizards
Serpents are one of the most effective means of rodent control
Michigan has but one venomous snake: The Massasauga Rattler

25. Ribbon vs. Garter Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snakes and the Butler’s Garter Snake look almost identical, but there are a few differences you can use to avoid getting tricked
Garter snakes have muck thicker bodies, shorter tails, and longer heads than ribbon snakes
Ribbon snakes have a gigantic thin tail that stretches more than one-third of their body
Ribbon snakes have a white spot in front of their eyes
Can you tell which one is the Ribbon and which one is the Garter?

26. The Water Snakes
Contrary to popular belief, Michigan doesn’t have any “Water Moccasins,” those are just Northern Water Snakes, which are medium-sized, extremely aggressive water snakes
Michigan has a two endangered water snakes: the Copper-bellied, which has an orange-ish belly and lives only in marshes in the extreme southern part of the state, and the Kirtland’s Snake, which is a gray and black with red snake that is the rarest in the state; it lives only in Southwest Michigan marshes
The red-bellied snake is also a water snake, it is widespread but rare
The last snake in the water is the Queen Snake (species of sc), a greenish-gray snake with a tan underside found in marshes and around ponds
No water snakes are dangerous, but the Northern Water is very irritable
Water snakes eat amphibians and other snakes

27. Kirtland’s Snake (state endangered)
Northern Water snake: tolerant of fast-flowing water and the largest of the group
Queen Snake (Species of sc)
Copper-bellied water snake (state endangered)

28. The Michigan Rattler
Michigan’s only rattlesnake and only venomous snake is the Massasauga Rattler
The Massasauga lives in marshes in the summer, but needs upland forests in the fall and spring
The Massasauga’s bite will usually only make someone ill, although medical treatment is advised
This snake used to be abundant on Belle Isle (formerly “Snake Island”) until settlers brought in pigs to eat the Rattlesnakes, giving Belle Isle the name “Pig Island” for a while in the 1800s
This snake makes a buzzing noise when it ratttles, and is a species of special concern
“Massies” eat rats, amphibians, and large insects
Rattlesnakes give live birth to their young

29. Large land non-venomous snakes
Eastern Fox Snake (state threatened)- a large tan snake with black markings on its back, a denizen of farm field and dry woodlands. Most common in southeast Michigan.
Black Rat Snake-largest land snake in the state, up to 8’, uniformly black with a white underside; it eats rodents and is most common in agricultural areas
Blue Racer-highly aggressive farm and ditch snake fond of eating amphibians. Depending on how the light hits its scales, it can look blue, purple, green, or black. Fastest snake in Michigan.
Eastern Hognose Snake- “Puff Adder” A tan snake with a hood like a cobra that puffs up to intimidate its predators or plays dead. It has a sharp, pointed nose designed to dig up its prey from their burrows. More common in Northern Michigan.

30. Eastern Hognose Snake
Blue Racer
Black Rat Snake
Eastern Fox Snake

31. Last Slide! Thank God (or someone else if you prefer)!
Michigan has but a few snakes that we have yet to talk about
Eastern Garter snakes have more of a green than a yellow stripe and live everywhere in the state except the Southeast, where the Butler’s garter lives
Northern Ring-neck snakes eat salamanders and frogs.
They are uniformly light gray with an orange neck band
Smooth green snakes are all green and skinny, but very rare
Eastern Milk snakes are red and pink; they prefer dry woodlands
Brown snakes are common in suburban and agricultural areas; they are light brown and under 10”, the smallest snakes in Michigan
Brown Snake
E Milk Snake
N Ring-Neck Snake