PA's Reptiles & Amphibians

Here is a list of all of PA's Reptiles and Amphibians. If there are any mistakes please let us know.

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| SNAKES | LIZARDS | TURTLES | SALAMANDERS | FROGS-TOADS |

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Snakes - 22

Species ID:	Image:	Common Latin:	Photos:	Description:
1		Black Ratsnake Elaphe o. obsolete	More Photos	Size: 34" - 101" 3 different color patterns predominating: plain, striped and blotched. Stripe is red, orange, yellow, brown, or gray. Blotched is light gray, yellow, or brown. Belly uniformly white, yellow, orange, or gray, often with dark mottling or checks. Belly scales flat in middle, ends angled up sharply. Underside of tail not striped. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Hardwood forest, wooded canyons, swamps, rocky timbered upland, farmland, old fields, barnyards; from wet to arid situations; sea level to 4,400 feet.
2		Eastern Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis	More Photos	Size: 18” - 51” Coloration highly varible, but back and side stripes usually visible. Red bloches or a double row of alternating black spots often present between stripes. Anal plate single. Habitat: Near water – wet meadows, marches, prairie swales, irrigation and drainage ditches, damp woodlands, farms, parks; sea level to 8,000 feet.
4		Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platyrhinos	More Photos	Size: 20” – 45-1/2” A stout bodied snake with pointed, slightly upturned snout and wide neck. Color extremely variable: yellow, tan brown, gray or reddish with squarish dark blotches on back interspaced with round dark dorsolateral blotches. All black individuals common in some areas. Belly mottled; underside of tail conspicuously lighter then the belly color. Keeled scales, in 23-25 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Prefers open sandy-soiled areas; thinly wooded upland hillsides, cultivated fields, woodland meadows. Sea level to 2,500 feet.
3		Eastern King Snake Lampropeltis getula getula	More Photos	Size: 36” - 82” Chocolate brown to black with bold light chainlike pattern, 21 scale rows. Habitat: Diverse: dry rocky woodland hillsides to river swamps and coastal marshes, and prairie; sea level to 6,900 feet
5		Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Sistrurus c. catenatus	More Photos	Size: 18” - 39” Unlike other rattlers, has 9 enlarged scales on top of head. Tail stocky with moderately developed rattle. Brownish gray with dark brown or black blotches; belly black with scattered light markings; 25 scale rows. Anal plate single. Habitat: Sphagnum bogs, swamps, marshland, and flood plains to dry woodland in the East; grassy wetlands, rocky hillsides, sagebrush prairie, into desert grassland in the West. Notes: If someone comes across this species in Western PA please let us know immediately!! Do not harm or mess with this species. It is on the endangered species list. Plus if you are not experienced with “hots” do not attempt to pick it up. Just take pictures from a safe distance. Do not let the size full you as far as the venom goes. This species will put a hurting on you if bitten.
6		Eastern Milksnake Lampropeltis t. triangulum	More Photos	Size: 26” - 52” Y or V shaped patch on nape of neck. Habitat: Diverse situations: semiarid to damp coastal bottom land to rocky mountains and tropical hardwood forests; pine forests, open deciduous woodland, meadows, rocky hillsides, prairies, high plains, sand dunes, farmland, and suburban areas; sea level to 8,000 feet. Notes: This species often gets confused with the Northern Copperhead.
7		Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis s. sauritus	More Photos	Size: 18” - 40” Reddish-brown black, yellow side stripes, yellow or green tinged orange back stripe. Habitat: Wet meadows, marshes, bogs, ponds, weedy lake shoreline, swamps and shallow, meandering streams.
8		Eastern Smooth Earthsnake Virginia v. valariae	More Photos	Size: 7” - 13” Gray or brownish gray, with small dark speckles on back, 15 scale rows on neck and mid body. Habitat: Damp deciduous forest; moist, rock timbered hillsides; wooded residential areas.
10		Eastern Smooth Greensnake Opheodrys vernalis	More Photos	Size: 14” - 26” Small and streamlined; bright green with long tapering tail. Belly white, tinged with pale yellow. Hatchlings blueish-gray or dark olive-green. Scales smooth in 15 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Meadows, grassy marches, moist grassy fields along forest edge.
9		Eastern Worm Snake Carphophis a. amoenus	More Photos	Size: 8" - 14" A tiny glossy, cylindrical bodied snake, unpatterned brown, gray, or black with a bright reddish-pink belly. Tail short and tapers to a sharp tip. Scales smooth. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Damp hilly woodlands, partially wooded or grassy hillsides above streams, farmland bordering woodlands.
21		Kirtlands Water Snake Clonophis kirtlandii	More Photos	Size: 14” - 24” Slender brown or grayish snake with 2 rows of alternating dark squarish spots (often indistinct) on either side of midline of back and a line of round black spots along each side of red belly. Scales keeled, in 19 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Vicinity of marshy meadows, woodland ponds, and open swamplands.
18		Mountain Smooth Earthsnake Virginia valeriae pulchra	More Photos	Size: 7” - 13” Reddish brown to gray, scales weakly keeled, 15 rows in neck region, 17 rows at midbody. Habitat: Damp deciduous forest; moist, rock timbered hillsides; wooded residential areas.
16		Northern Black Racer Coluber c. constrictor	More Photos	Size: 34” - 77” Large, slender, agile, and fast moving. Adults uniformly black, blue, brown, or greenish above; white, yellow, or dark gray below. Upper lip scales black, some white on chin, iris or eye brown. Young typically gray and conspicuously marked with dark spots on sides and dark gray, brown, or reddish-brown blotches down the midline of back. Scales smooth, in 17 rows (15 rows at vent) Anal plate divided. Habitat: Abandoned fields, grassland, sparse brushy areas along prairie land, open woodland, mountain meadows, rocky wooded hillsides, grassy bordered streams, and pine flatwoods. Notes: This species is fun to catch! LOL It is very fast and VERY bitty!! Be prepared to be bitten with this species.
17		Northern Brown Snake Storeria d. dekayi	More Photos	Size: 10” - 20” Small; gray, yellowish-brown, brown, or reddish-brown, with 2 parallel rows of small dark spots bordering an indistinct wide light back stripe. Belly pale yellow, brown, or pinkish with small black dots along edge. Vertical or diagonal dark bar on temporal scale on side of head usually extends through 6th and 7th lip scales. Young have yellowish collar. Scales keeled, in 15 -17 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Moist upland woodland to lowland freshwater and saltwater marshes; margins of swamps, bogs, and ponds; vacant lots, gardens, golf courses.
11		Northern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortix mokasen	More Photos	Size: 22" - 53" Stout-bodied; copper, orange, or pink tinged (sometimes all brown), with bold chestnut or reddish brown cross bands constricted on midline of back. Top of head unmarked. Facial pit between eye and nostril. Scales weakly keeled, in 23-25 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Woodland hillsides with rock outcrops above streams or ponds; edges of swamps and periodically flooded areas in coastal plain. Notes: VENOMOUS Be careful when herping, this species can disappear in the leaf litter!! They do vibrate there tail, which sounds similar to a rattlesnake. Do not pick this species up, use a hook if you are experienced with venomous reptiles.
14		Northern Red-bellied Snake Storeria o. occipitomaculata	More Photos	Size: 8” - 16” A small snake; plain brown, gray, or black, with a single broad light stripe, or 4 faint narrow dark stripes, or all 5, down back. Belly red, orange, or yellow; occasionally jet black. 3 neck spots distinct. Scales keeled, in 15 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Mountainous or hilly woodland; sphagnum bogs
12		Northern Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus edwardsii	More Photos	Size: 10” - 30” A small sender snake, with a yellow, cream, or orange neck ring and bright yellow, sometimes white, orange, or red belly, typically unspotted. Back gray olive, brownish, or black spots. Neck ring may be interrupted, obscure, or occasionally absent. Loreal Scale present. Scales smooth, in 15 -17 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Moist situations in varied habitat; forest, grassland, rocky wooded hillsides, chaparral, into upland desert along streams.
13		Northern Water Snake Nerodia s. sipedon	More Photos	Size: 22” - 53” Reddish, brown, or gray to brownish-black, with dark crossbands on neck region, and alternating dark blotches on back and sides at midbody. Pattern darkens with age, becoming black. Belly white, yellow, or gray, with reddish-brown or black crescent-shaped sopts. No dark line from eye to corner of mouth. Juveniles more vivid. Scales keeled, in 21 – 25 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Found in most aquatic situations from sea level to 4,800 feet.; lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, canals, ditches, bogs, streams, rivers. Notes: In handling this species, be prepared to be bitten several times. Very aggressive species. But fun to watch and photograph. :)
15		Queen Snake Regina septemvittata	More Photos	Size: 16” - 36” Tan to olive-brown or chocolate-brown, to almost black, with a yellow stripe on the lower side of body. Belly yellow with 4 distinct brown stripes; 2 near midline, 2 along the sides. Sometimes 2 faded, indistinct stripes on back. Scales keeled, in 19 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Streams and small rivers with rocky margins and bottoms, and clear sandy bottomed creeks in coastal plain.
20		Rough Green Snake Opheodrys a. aestivus	More Photos	Size: 20” - 45” Slender arboreal snake; uniform pea-green with a long tapering tail. Belly white to yellowish green. Hatchlings greenish gray. Scales keeled in 17 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Vines, bushes, and trees near water.
22		Shorthead Garter Snake Thamnophis brachystoma	More Photos	Size: 14” - 22” A small version of the Eastern Garter Snake. Head short and not distinct from neck. Side stripes occupies 2nd and 3rd scale rows above belly scales. Stripes tend to be bordered by fine black lines. No double rows of black spots between stripes. Scales keeled, in 17 rows. Anal plate divided. Habitat: Old fields, meadows, pastures
19		Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus	More Photos	Size: 35" - 74" Northern forms range from yellow through brown or gray and black, with dark back and side blotches on front of body and blotches fused to form cross bands on rear of body. Head unmarked. Tail, black. Scales keeled, in 23 - 25 rows. Habitat: Remote wooded hillsides with rock outcrops in the North; unsettled swampy areas. Notes: VENOMOUS!! Rattlesnakes will not always rattle before bitting. The venom of this species is very nasty (hemotoxin). Do not attempted to pick this species up. They are ill temperated, striking at anything that moves when disturbed.

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Lizards - 5

Species ID:	Image:	Common Latin:	Photos:	Description:
23		Broad-head Skink Eumeces laticeps	More Photos	Size: 6-1/2” – 12-3/4” Large and brown, with wide head and 5 broad light stripes, including dorsolateral stripe along 4th scale row counting from middle of back. Stripes fade with age; adult males uniform brown with red-orange head. Tail blue or brown; wide lenghtwise row of scales under tail. Juveniles black with brilliant striping, bright blue tail. Habitat: Moist wooded areas; also open areas where low shelter is provided by leafy debris or piles or rubble.
24		Eastern Fence Lizard Sceloporous undulatus	More Photos	Size: 3-1/2” - 7-1/2” Dark band along rear of thigh. Color varies geographically: gray to brown or rusty, dark or light stripes down back, sometimes vague crossbars or spots. Back and belly scales about same size. Males usually marked by black-bordered blue patches on belly and blue throat patch. Habitat: Generally sunny locations: favors rotting logs, open woodlands, open grassy dunes, prairies.
26		Five-lined Skink Eumeces fasciatus	More Photos	Size: 5” - 8” Black or brown with 5 broad light stripes, including dorsolateral stripe along 3rd and 4th scale rows counting from middle of back. Stripes fade with age; adults may be uniform brown. Tail blue to gray. Wide lenghtwise row of scales under tail. Breeding males usually have red-orange head. Juveniles have brilliant striping, bright blue tail. Habitat: Humid woodlands with decaying leaf litter, stumps, logs. May be seen in gardens and around houses.
27		Italian Wall Lizard Podorcis sicula	More Photos	Size: 6” - 9” Slender; green, yellow, or light brown, usually with dark stripe or row of spots along middle of back; often with light dorsolateral stripes. Small granular scales on back, 6 lengthwise rows of large smooth rectangular belly scales. Single large pre-anal scale. Habitat: Grassy fields, stone walls, gardens, city parks
25		Northern Coal Skink Eumeces a. anthracinus	More Photos	Size: 5” - 7” Brown, with 4 light stripes extending from neck onto tail. Dark band on side, more than 2 scale rows wide, separates pair of light side stripes. Upper light stripe follows edge where 3rd and 4th scale rows meet, counting from middle of back. Male sometimes has reddish color on head. Young striped like adults. Habitat: Damp wooded areas with abundant leaf litter or loose stones.

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Turtles - 15

Species ID:	Image:	Common Latin:	Photos:	Description:
40		Blandings Turtle Emydoidea blandingii	More Photos	Size: 5” - 10-1/2” Bright yellow chin and throat quickly identify basking specimens. Smooth helmet-shaped carapace is black with profusion of irregularly shaped radiating spots and vermiculations. Plastron hinged; yellow with large black blotches symmetrically arranged. Neck long; head flat with protruding eyes. Male has slightly concave plastron. Habitat: Lake shallows, ponds, marshes, and creeks with soft bottoms and dense aquatic vegetation.
28		Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii	More Photos	Size: 3” - 4” A small brown turtle with conspicuous yellow, orange or reddish blotch on each side of head. Carapace light brown to mahogany (a light brown or orange sunburst pattern may be present on larger scutes), weakly keeled, and rough or smooth depending on age. Plastron brownish black with varying amounts of yellow along midline; hingeless, with 12 scutes. Male has concave plastron and thick tail, with anal opening beyond margin of carapace. Habitat: Sunlit marshy meadows, spring seepages, wet cow pastures, and bogs. Prefers narrow, shallow, slow moving rivulets.
29		Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina	More Photos	Size: 4” - 8” Terrestrial. Movable plastron hinge allows lower shell to close tightly against carapace. Carapace high domed and keeled; variable in color and pattern; brightly marked, 4 toes on hind feet. Plastron often as long as carapace; tan to dark brown, yellow, orange, or olive; patternless or with some dark blotching. Males usually have red eyes and depressions in rear portion of the plastron; females have yellowish-brown eyes. Habitat: Moist forested areas, but also wet meadows, pastures, and flood plains.
30		Eastern Mud Turtle Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum	More Photos	Size: 3” - 4-7/8” Carapace olive to dark brown, patternless, smooth, keelless. No enlarged marginal scutes. Plastron yellow to brown, double-hinged, with 11 scutes. Males have well developed blunt spine at end of tail and rough scale patches on inside of hind legs. Spotted or mottled head. Habitat: Fresh or brackish water. Prefers shallow, soft-bottomed , slow moving water with abundant vegetation. Often occupies muskrat lodges.
31		Eastern Painted Turtle Chrysemys p. picta	More Photos	Size: 4” - 9-7/8” Carapace olive or black; oval, smooth, flattened, and unkeeled; vertebral and costal scute seams aligned, plastron yellow, not patterned. Scutes olive, yellow, or red. Red bars or crescents on marginal scutes. Plastron yellow, unpatterned or intricately marked. Yellow and red stripes on neck, legs, and tail. Notched upper jaw. Habitat: Slow-moving shallow streams, rivers, and lakes. Likes soft bottoms with vegetation and half-submerged logs.
33		Eastern Snapping Turtle Chelydra s. serpentina	More Photos	Size: 8” - 18” Massive head and powerful jaws. Carapace tan to dark brown, often masked with algae or mud, bearing 3 rows of weak to prominent keels, and serrated toward the back. Plastron yellow to tan, unpatterned, relatively small, and cross-shaped in outline. Tail as long as carapace; with saw-tooth keels. Blunt tubercles on neck. Wild specimens range to 45lbs. Some fattened captives exceed 75lbs. Habitat: Freshwater. Likes soft mud bottoms and abundant vegetation. Also enters brackish water. Notes: Watch out for the head!! Very powerful jaws this species has.
32		Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle Apalone spinifera spinifera	More Photos	Sorry no description. If you have a description please let us know.
38		Midland Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta marginata	More Photos	Size: 4” - 9-7/8” Carapace olive or black; oval, smooth, flattened, and unkeeled; vertebral and costal scute seams aligned, plastron yellow, not patterned. Scutes olive, yellow, or red. Red bars or crescents on marginal scutes. Yellow and red stripes on neck, legs, and tail. Notched upper jaw. Vertebral and costal scutes not aligned, plastron yellow with dark blotch in center. Habitat: Slow-moving shallow streams, rivers, and lakes. Likes soft bottoms with vegetation and half-submerged logs.
42		Midland Spiny Softshell Turtle Apalone m. mutrica	More Photos	Sorry no description. If you have a description please let us know.
39		Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica	More Photos	Size: Males: 4” - 6-1/4”; Females: 7” - 10-3/4” Carapace greenish to olive brown, with reticulated pattern of thin yellow orange lines (obscure in adult females); somewhat flattened and with a low keel (with small spines in juveniles). Plastron yellowish; patternless in adults, with black bordered scute seams in juveniles. Skin greenish with narrow yellow stripes; an isolated yellow spot, often triangular in shape, found behind the eye. Adult females have enlarged heads. Habitat: Slow moving rivers and lakes with mud bottoms, abundant aquatic vegetation, and logjams.
41		Northern Red-Bellied Turtle Pseudemys rubriventris	More Photos	Size: 10” - 15-3/4” Carapace brown to black with flattened or slightly concave vertebral scutes; red bar on each marginal scute. Prominent notch at tip of upper jaw flanked by tooth like cusps; arrow shaped stripe runs along head, between eyes, to snout. Plastron reddish; dark markings along scute seams fade with age. Male has elongated, straight claws on front feet. Habitat: Deep ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers and brackish marshes.
34		Red-eared Slider Turtle Trachemys scripta elegans	More Photos	Size: 5” - 11-3/8” Wide prominent yellow, orange or red blotch behind eyes, dark smudge on each plastron scute. Carapace oval, weakly keeled, olive to brown, with pattern ranging from yellow bars and stripes to reticulations and eyelike spots. Undersurface of chin rounded. V-shaped notch at front of upper jaw not flanked by cusps. With age, pattern and head blotch may become masked with black pigment, making identification difficult. Habitat: Sluggish rivers, shallow streams, ponds, and lakes with soft bottoms and dense vegetation.
36		Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata	More Photos	Size: 3-1/2” - 5” A small attractive turtle. Carapace black, keelless, unserrated; usually sprinkled with round yellow spots. Spotting on head, neck and limbs. Plastron creamy yellow with large black blotches along border. Male has brown eyes, tan chin, long thick tail; female has orange eyes and yellow chin. Habitat: Marshy meadows, wet woodlands, boggy areas, beaver ponds, and shallow, muddy-bottomed streams.
35		Stinkpot - Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus	More Photos	Size: 3” - 5-3/8” A feisty little turtle with 2 light stripes on head, barbels on chin and throat. Carapace smooth or with 3 keels, unserrated, highly domed, and elonggated; olive brown to dark gray and often obscured by a layer of algae. Juveniles have keeled and patterned carapace with irregular dark streaks or spots. Plastron small, with 11 scutes and a single inconspicuous hinge. Males tail ends in a blunt horny nail; inner surface of hind legs bears 2 small patches of tilted scales. Females tail very short, may end in a sharp horny tip. Habitat: Freshwater; prefers quiet or slow moving shallow, muddy bottomed waters. Notes: This species will BITE!!! So be careful.
37		Wood Turtle Clemmys insculpta	More Photos	Size: 5” - 9” Formed by concentric growth ridges, each large carapace scute looks like an irregular pyramid. Upper shell brown and keeled, appears sculptured and rough. Plastron yellow, with black blotches usually present along outer margins of scutes; hingeless. Skin of neck and forelegs often reddish orange. Male has concave plastron and thick tail, with anal openings beyond margin or carapace. Habitat: Cool streams in deciduous woodlands, red maple swamps, marshy meadows, and farm country.

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Salamanders - 22

Species ID:	Image:	Common Latin:	Photos:	Description:
43		Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus	More Photos	Size: 2-3/4" - 4-3/8" Varies greatly in color and pattern. Pale line from eye to angle of jaw. Tail rounded; half of total length. Northern forms: gray, brown, olive, yellow, or orange; have wide, straight edged, dark bordered stripe marked with V shaped down back and tail. Southern forms: dark margins of stripe usually wavy, but vary from nearly straight to zigzagged; dark bars cross stripe. Costal grooves, 14. Habitat: Uplands. At lower elevations, stays close to streams, springs, and seepage areas. At higher elevations, favors cool, moist floors of spruce-fir forests.
44		Common Mudpuppy Necturus m. maculosus	More Photos	Size: 8” - 17” Large aquatic salamander, with feathery maroon gills, 4 toed feet, compressed tail. Rusty brown above with large blue black spots, belly gray with spotting. Habitat: Lakes, rivers and streams of all descriptions, from muddy, weed choked shallows to a record depth of 90 feet in cold Lake Michigan.
45		Eastern Hellbender Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis	More Photos	Size: 12” - 29-1/8” A giant among salamanders; totally aquatic. Body and head flattened; loose flap of skin along lower sides of body. Single pair of circular gill openings on neck. Gray or olive brown above, with or without dark mottling or spotting. Belly lighter, with few markings. Male smaller then female. Male has swollen ridge around vent during breeding season. Habitat: Clear fast flowing streams and rivers with rocky bottoms.
63		Eastern Mud Salamander Pseudotriton m. montanus	More Photos	Size: 2-7/8" - 7-5/8" Stout and strikingly colored, with short legs and tail. Coral pink, bright red, or brownish salmon above, generally with well scattered black spots. Older animals reddish to chocolate brown; spots obscured. Underside reddish or yellowish. Back and belly sharply separated. Scattered spots on back and sides, some belly spotting. Eyes brown. Habitat: Muddy springs and streams, wooded floodplains, and swampy pools; low elevations.
62		Eastern Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum	More Photos	Size: 6" - 13-3/8" World's largest land dwelling salamander. Stoutly built, with broad head and small eyes. Color and pattern extremely variable - large light spots on dark background or network of spots on lighter background. Dark with olive spots. Tubercles on soles of feet. Habitat: Varied: arid sagebrush plains, pine barrens, mountain forests, and damp meadows where ground is easily burrowed.
46		Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum	More Photos	Size: 2" - 4" A small species distinguished by hind feet with 4 toes and marked constriction at base of tail. Reddish brown above, grayish sides; white belly with black spots. Costal groves, 13 - 14. Habitat: Bogs, boggy streams, and floodplains; usually associated with sphagnum moss.
47		Green Salamander Aneides aeneus	More Photos	Size: 3-1/8” - 5-1/2” Black above, with greenish yellow patches. Head looks swollen behind the eyes. Toe tips expanded, squarish. Costal grooves, 14 – 15. Habitat: Damp, but not wet, sheltered, narrow crevices along face of sandstone outcrop; also underneath loose bark rotting hardwood trees and stumps.
48		Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum	More Photos	Size: 4-3/4” - 8-1/4” Long and slender; snout wide, digits long. Dark brown or brownish-gray, often with bluish flecks on limbs and lower sides of body. Belly lighter, area around vent gray. Costal grooves, 12. Habitat: Deciduous forests; under debris near swamps and ponds.
50		Longtail Salamander Eurycea longicauda longicauda	More Photos	Size: 3-7/8” - 7-7/8” Slender tail much longer then body. Northern form: yellow to bright red-orange; scattered black spots, heaviest on sides, form bars or herringbone pattern on tail. Vertical black bars on tail, belly yellow. Habitat: Stream sides, spring runs, seepages, cave mouths.
49		Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum	More Photos	Size: 3-1/2” - 5” Chunky; dark gray to black above, with bold white or silvery crossbands. Belly black. Costal grooves, 11 – 12. Recently transformed juveniles are dark gray to brown, with lighter flecks. Male brighter then females. Habitat: Woodlands, from low swampy areas to dry hillsides.
59		Northern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus fuscus	More Photos	Size: 2-1/2” - 5-1/2” The most common dusky. Pale line from eye to angle of jaw. Juveniles have 5 – 8 pairs of round yellowish or reddish spots on back. Adults tan or dark brown above, plain or mottled; some show alternating pairs of oval to rhombic blotches, often fused to form stripe. Pattern becomes obscured by dark pigment with age. Tail triangular, sharply keeled, compressed. Habitat: Rocky-strewn woodland creeks, seepages, and springs in northern areas; floodplains, sloughs.
64		Northern Ravine Salamander Plethodon electromorphus	More Photos	Size: 3-1/8” - 5-5/8” An inconspicuous woodland salamander with long slender body and narrow head; resembles “lead-backed” phase of the Red-backed Salamander. Back dark brown to blackish, peppered with brassy and silvery specks. Small white or yellow spots on sides. Belly uniformly dark; throat lightly mottled with white. Habitat: Ravines and sloping hillsides in open to dense woodlands.
58		Northern Red Salamander Pseudotriton r. ruber	More Photos	Size: 3-7/8” - 7-1/8” Robust red salamander with short legs and tail. Young coral red to reddish orange above, adults orange brown to purple brown; numerous irregularly shaped black spots. Back and belly colors blend gradually along sides. Eyes yellow. Habitat: Springs, their seepages, cool clear brooks and surrounding woodlands, swamps, and meadows.
57		Northern Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus	More Photos	Size: 2-1/2” - 5” Long and slender. Two color phases: “red-backed” has broad, straight-edged, dark bordered red stripe extending along back from head onto tail and narrowing at base of tail. Stripe may be yellow, orange, pink, or gray to almost black. “Lead-backed” is light gray to almost black, without stripe. Intermediates are occasionally found. Belly has black and white mottling. Habitat: Cool moist coniferous, mixed, and hardwood forests.
56		Northern Slimy Salamander Plethodon glutinosus	More Photos	Size: 4-1/2” - 8-1/8” Usually shiny black with large white, gray, or yellow spots on sides and scattered smaller silvery white spots and/or brassy flecks atop of head, back, and tail. Belly slate colored. Habitat: Shaded ravine slopes, shale banks, wooded floodplains, cave entrances.
61		Northern Spring Salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus	More Photos	Size: 4-1/4” - 8-5/8” One of the largest lungless salamanders. Light bar runs from eye to nostril. Sturdy body and keeled tail. Salmon, brownish pink, yellowish brown or orange, or reddish brown; patterns vary. Often cloudy in appearance, with vague darker markings. Mottled or net-like pattern on back. Habitat: Springs, cool and clear mountain brooks, shady seepages and wet caves.
60		Northern Two-lined Salamander Eurycea bislineata	More Photos	Size: 2-1/2” - 4-3/4” An abundant brookside species. Broad, basically yellow band above may be tinged with brown, green, or orange-bronze; often darkly speckled. Band bordered by dark brown or black stripe running from each eye well out into tail. Black stripes tend to break up into dashes or dots on tail, males do not develop downward projections from nostrils. Habitat: Rock bottomed brooks, springs, seepages, river swamps, and floodplain bottoms in coastal plain to damp forest floors.
55		Red-Spotted Newt Notophthalmus v. viridescens	More Photos	Size: 2-5/8” - 5-1/2” Aquatic and terrestrial forms. Aquatic adult yellowish brown or olive green to dark brown above, yellow below; back and belly both peppered with small black spots. Land dwelling eft is orange red to reddish brown. Habitat: Ponds and lakes with dense submerged vegetation, quiet stretches or backwaters of streams, swamps, ditches, and neighboring damp woodlands.
54		Seal Salamander Desmognathus monticola	More Photos	Size: 3” - 5-7/8” A stout variably patterned species. Pale stripe from eye to angle of jaw. Light brown or grayish above, with numerous dark brown or black streaks, blotches, or reticulations surrounded by paler areas. Belly light colored, with or without blotches. Sides dark above, light speckled below, the transition abrupt. Tail sharply keeled, compressed; tip pointed. Habitat: Banks of mountain streams, small rocky spring-fed brooks in hardwood shaded ravines.
53		Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum	More Photos	Size: 6” - 9-3/4” Stoutly built; black, blue black, dark gray, or dark brown above, with 2 irregular rows of round , yellow or orange spots beginning on head and extending to tip of tail. Belly slate gray. Habitat: Hardwood forests and hillsides around pools and flooded depressions.
52		Valley and Ridge Salamander Plethodon hoffmani	More Photos	Size: 3-1/4” - 5-3/8” Small and slender. Deep brown above with abundant brassy flecking; sometimes a narrow red back stripe. Belly dark with moderate white mottling; chin heavily mottled. Costal grooves, 21. Habitat: Valley and ridge province, drier and with better drained soils than adjacent regions.
51		Wehrles Salamander Plethodon wehrlei	More Photos	Size: 2-1/2” - 3-5/8” Large, fused gold or brassy blotches accent black back. Belly uniformly black or white spotted. Costal grooves, 16. Habitat: Deciduous woodlands with some rhododendron and hemlock at lower elevations.

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Frogs and Toads - 17

Species ID:	Image:	Common Latin:	Photos:	Description:
66		American Toad Bufo americanus	More Photos	Size: 2" - 4-3/8" Large, with elongated parotoid glands not touching prominent cranial crests or connected by spur. Brown to brick red to olive, with various patterns in lighter colors. Spots brownish, warts brown to orange-red; i or 2 warts in each dark spot on back. Light stripe down middle of back may be present. Belly usually spotted. Male has dark throat. Habitat: Common in a variety of habitats from mowed grassy yards to heavy forested mountains; where ever there are abundant insects and moisture.
68		Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana	More Photos	Size: 3-1/2” - 8” The largest frog in North America. Green to yellow above with random mottling of darker gray. Large external eardrum; hind feet fully webbed except for last joint of longest toe. No dorsolateral ridges. Belly cream to white, may be mottled with gray. Habitat: Aquatic. Prefers ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams large enough to avoid crowding and with sufficient vegetation to provide easy cover.
80		Copes Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis	More Photos	Size: 1-1/4" - 2-3/8" Skin rough; greenish or brownish to gray, with several large dark blotches on back. Dark edged light spot beneath eye. Under surfaces of thighs bright yellow-orange. Large toe pads. Habitat: Trees and shrubs growing in or near permanent water.
67		Eastern Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus holbrooki	More Photos	Size: 1-3/4” - 3-1/4” Stout, with sickle shaped spade on each hind foot. External eardrum apparent. Skin relatively smooth, with scattered tiny tubercles. Olive to brown to nearly black, often with 2 irregular light lines down back. Underside white to grayish. Lacks bony hump between the eyes; eastern part of its range. Habitat: Forested, brushy, or cultivated areas of sandy, gravelly, or loose loam.
65		Fowlers Toad Bufo fowleri	More Photos	Size: 2-1/2” - 5” Large toad with light stripe down middle of back. Prominent cranial crest contact elongate parotoids. Yellow to green to brown. Back blotched, chest unspotted. Habitat: Sandy areas near marshes, irrigation ditches, backyards, and temporary rain pools.
69		Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor	More Photos	Size: 1-1/4” - 2-3/8” Skin rough; greenish or brownish to gray, with several large dark blotches on back. Dark edged light spot beneath eye. Under surfaces of thighs bright yellow-orange. Large toe pads. Habitat: Trees and shrubs growing in or near permanent water.
75		Mountain Chorus Frog Pseudacris brachyphona	More Photos	Size: 1” - 1-1/2” Small, brown to green, with 2 back-to-back, crescent-shaped dark stripes, which may touch to form an irregular X. Broad lateral stripes pass through eye. Belly yellowish. Small round toe tips. Habitat: Prefers woodlands, especially in hilly areas.
74		New Jersey Chorus Frog Pseudacris ferairum kalmi	More Photos	Size: 3/4” - 1-1/2” Skin smooth, greenish gray to brown. Three dark stripes down back; may be broken, reduced, or absent. Dark stripe through eye and white stripe along upper lip. Small round toe tips. Habitat: Grassy areas from dry to swampy to agricultural; also suburbs where pollution and pesticides are not a problem; woodlands; and river swamps.
79		Northern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans crepitans	More Photos	Size: 5/8” - 1-1/2” Skin rough; greenish brown, yellow, red, or black. Dark triangle between eyes and longitudinal dark stripes on back of thigh. Snout rounded. Legs relatively short. Webbing of hind foot quite extensive, reaching tip of first toe and next-to-last joint of longest toe. Habitat: Sunny ponds of shallow water with good growth of vegetation in the water or on shore; slow-moving streams with sunny banks.
73		Northern Green Frog Rana clamitans melanota	More Photos	Size: 2-1/8” - 4” Green, greenish-brown; large external eardrum and prominent dorsolateral ridges that do not reach groin. Typically green on upper lip. Belly white with darker pattern of lines or spots. Male has yellow throat and swollen thumbs. Habitat: Lives close to shallow water, springs, swamps, brooks, and edges or ponds and lakes. May be found among rotting debris of fallen trees.
78		Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens	More Photos	Size: 2” - 5” Slender brown or green frog with large, light-edged dark spots between light-colored dorsolateral ridges – ridges continuous to groin. Light stripe on upper jaw. Eardrum without center light center. Habitat: From freshwater sites with profuse vegetation to brackish marshes and moist fields; from desert to mountain meadow.
72		Northern Spring Peeper Pseudacris c. crucifer	More Photos	Size: 3/4” - 1-3/8” Tan to brown to gray, with characteristic dark X on back. Large toe pads. Unmarked belly. Habitat: Wooded areas in or near permanent or temporarily flooded ponds and swamps.
76		Pickerel Frog Rana palustris	More Photos	Size: 1-3/4" - 3-7/16" Smooth-skinned, tan, with parallel rows of dark squarish blotches running down back. Jaw has light stripe. Dorsolateral folds yellow. Belly and under surfaces of hind legs bright yellow to orange. Habitat: Slow-moving water and other damp areas, preferably with low, dense vegetation; streams, swamps, and meadows.
71		Southern Leopard Frog Rana sphenocephala	More Photos	Size: 2” - 5” Slender and narrow-headed; green to brown, with large dark spots between light-colored dorsolateral ridges – ridges continuous to groin. Light stripe along upper jaw; typically, a light spot in center of eardrum. Habitat: Any freshwater location. Wanders among moist vegetation in the summer, returns to freshwater ponds and streams and brackish marshes rest of year.
77		Upland Chorus Frog Pseudacris f. feriarum	More Photos	No information as of yet. If you have any information please let us know!
81		Western Chorus Frog Pseudacris triseriata	More Photos	Size: 3/4” - 1-1/2” Skin smooth, greenish gray to brown. Three dark stripes down back; may be broken, reduced, or absent. Dark stripe through eye and white stripe along upper lip. Small round toe tips. Habitat: Grassy areas from dry to swampy to agricultural; also suburbs where pollution and pesticides are not a problem; woodlands; and river swamps.
70		Wood Frog Rana sylvatica	More Photos	Size: 1-3/8" - 3-1/4" Pink, tan, or dark brown, with prominent dark mask ending abruptly behind eardrum. Light stripe on upper jaw; sometimes light line down middle of back. Dorsolateral ridges prominent. Dark blotch on chest near base of each front leg. Belly white, may have dark mottling. Toes not fully webbed; males has swollen thumbs. Habitat: Moist woodlands in eastern areas; open grasslands in western; tundra in far north.

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