Amphibians  
and Reptiles 
of 
Eastern 
North America
 

Noting those during 
Focus On Nature Tours
with an (*)

including: 
Salamanders
Toads & Frogs (seen or heard) 
Turtles
Skinks, Anoles, and other Lizards
Snakes

A list of eastern North American Amphibians and Reptiles
compiled by Armas Hill


UPPER RIGHT PHOTO: a LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE photographed off the North Carolina seacoast 
(Photo by Alan Brady)


Codes:

DE:   occurs in Delaware 
FL:   occurs in Florida
MA:  occurs in Massachusetts 
MD:  occurs in Maryland
NC:  occurs in North Carolina
NJ:   occurs in New Jersey
PA:  occurs in Pennsylvania
SC:  occurs in South Carolina
VA:  occurs in Virginia 

SPECIES CLASSIFIED AS GLOBALLY THREATENED:
(t1):  critically endangered
(t2):  endangered 
(t3):  threatened
(nt):  a near-threatened species globally 

(ph):  species with a photo in the FONT website 

Excellent recordings of the sounds of frogs and toads are in the audio CD of "The Calls of Frogs and Toads", by Lang Elliot, 2004.
In this list, numbers noted as (LE:xx) refer to that of the particular frog or toad in the CD. Recordings in the disk referred to here were by Lang, Elliott, Carl Gerhardt, David Lee, Paul Moler, Donald Borror, and Bill Turcotte. 


Links to Groupings in this List:

AMPHIBIANS    Frogs & Toads   Salamanders

REPTILES     Crocodile & Alligator     Turtles    Lizards     Snakes 

Other Links: 

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours in North America
(including North Carolina, Delaware, Maryland & Virginia)    Upcoming FONT Tours Elsewhere  

Lists & Photo Galleries of:  Birds of North America, in 6 parts

Mammals of Eastern North America    Butterflies & Moths of Eastern North America

Dragonflies & Damselflies of Eastern North America    

Wildflowers and Other Plants of Eastern North America

Other Photo Galleries & Lists of Amphibians & Reptiles

A Directory of Photos in this Website

         Amphibians:

        FROGS & TOADS

           Family RANIDAE: TRUE FROGS
   

1. Green Frog  (ph) (*)  ______  (LE:3)  NC  SC  PA   Size: grows up to 2 to 3.5 inches
   Rana clamitans melanota  Northern Green Frog  ______  DE  MD  NJ  VA   
   Rana clamitans clamitans  Bronze Frog  ______  FL 
   
   The Green Frog is primarily aquatic in its habits. It can be abundant throughout eastern North America along the edges of ponds, lakes, streams, and other permanent bodies of water.
   When approached, the Green Frog leaps from the shoreline and squeaks an alarm note before hitting the water. 
   
   
   
   Above & below: Green Frogs
   (upper photo by Howard Eskin, lower photo by Marie Gardner)
   
   
   
   Below: a tadpole of the Green Frog  (photo by Marie Gardner)
   
   
   
   
   
2. American Bullfrog  (ph) (*)  ______  (LE:1)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA   Size: 3 to 8 inches
   Rana catesbeiana
   
   The coloration and pattern of the American Bullfrog is variable. 
   The dorsal color varies from bright leaf green to olive, olive-brown, or brown.
   The dorsal pattern varies with individuals that may include mottling or marbles that are dark brown to black on the back and the sides of the body.
   
   The American Bullfrog may be heard, generally, in the northeastern US from April to August. It avoids temporary bodies of water.  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Above & below: American Bullfrogs
   (top photo courtesy of Doris Potter; middle photo during a FONT tour, 
    lower photo by Marie Gardner; see note above about color & pattern variation)   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. River Frog  ______  (LE:14)  FL  NC(south)  SC   Size: 3 to 5.25 or 6 inches
   Rana heckscheri
   
   The River Frog occurs in the coastal plain from southeastern North Carolina to northern Florida and west to southern Mississippi. It is uncommon in much of its range.
   
   Unlike the Gopher Frogs (below, in this list), the River Frog generally does not call in choruses, and the calls of lone males (a low, rumbling snore lasting from 1 to 3 seconds) are easily overlooked.
   
   The breeding of Rana heckscheri is from April or May through the summer.
           
   
4. Pig Frog  ______  (LE:2)  FL  SC   Size: 3 to 6.25 inches
   Rana grylio
   
   The Pig Frog is usually heard in offshore vegetation, sometimes while floating in the water. Large choruses produce a steady roar. Heard from April to August.
   
   
5. Pickerel Frog  (ph) (*)  ______  (LE:11)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA   Size: 1.25 to 3.5 inches
   Rana palustris 
   
   The Pickerel Frog breeds in lakes, ponds, and streams. It also occurs in grassy areas away from water. Males sometimes call while submerged.
   
   
   
   Pickerel Frog
   (photo by Marie Gardner)
   
   
6. Carpenter Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:6)  DE  MD  NC(east & south)  NJ  SC  VA(east)   Size: 1.5 to 2.5 inches 
   Rana virgatipes 
   
   The Carpenter Frog is a southern species, restricted to regions of the coastal plain from New Jersey to northeast Florida. 
   
   The name "Carpenter Frog" is because its advertisement call is a distinctive series of sharp, double rapping notes, that sound like two carpenters hammering nails slightly out of synch. It may be heard from spring to late summer.
   
   Rana virgatipes is also called the Sphagnum Frog due to its close association with sphagnum bogs. Otherwise, it can also be found at lakes and ponds.  
   
   Rana virgatipes is a species of special concern in New Jersey.
   
   
7. Northern Leopard Frog  (ph)  ______  (LE:10)  PA   Size: 2 to 5 inches
   Rana pipiens 
   
   The Northern Leopard Frog is a common spotted frog. It is also known as the "Meadow Frog" due to its habit of visiting grassy meadows and lawns.
   
   Rana pipiens is an early spring breeder that can be heard calling both day and night during the first warm spells of spring.
   
   
   
   Northern Leopard Frog
   (photo by Doris Potter)
   
   
8. Southern Leopard Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:9)  NC  NJ  PA  SC   Size: generally 2 to 3.5 inches, but can be up to 5 inches in length 
   Rana sphenocephala
   Rana sphenocephala utricularia  ______  DE  MD  VA(east)  
   
   The Southern Leopard Frog often wanders away from water into grassy and weedy places. In the northern part of its range, it breeds in the spring. In the southern part of its range, it may be heard throughout the year. 
   
   
9. Carolina Gopher Frog  (*) ______  (LE:12)  NC   Size: up to 4 inches long
   Rana c. capito
   Rano capito aesopus  Florida Gopher Frog  ______  FL 
   
   Rana capito is found in dry, sandy habitats of the coastal plain from North Carolina to Mississippi. It breeds in nearby ponds and swamps.
   It is a nocturnal species, that is named for its habit of taking shelter during the day in burrows of other animals, particularly the Gopher Tortoise (later, in this list).
   
   Large breeding choruses of Rana capito are common. 
   
   
10. Mink Frog  ______  (LE:5)   Size: up to 3 inches long
    Rana septentrionalis
    
    The Mink Frog occurs from Minnesota to Maine, and throughout much of eastern Canada. It is an aquatic species that breeds during summer months in woodland ponds, lakes, and streams.
    
    Its name of "Mink Frog" comes from the mink-like odor that it gives off when handled.  
    
    
11. Wood Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:4)  DE  MD  NC(west)  NJ  PA  SC(very local in northwest)  VA(mostly west)  Size: 1.5 to 3.25 inches
    Rana sylvatica
    
    The geographic range of the Wood Frog extends further north than any other North American amphibian, as far as Labrador, Canada. 
    Rana sylvatica can actually withstand the complete freezing of its body.
    
    Outside its breeding season, the Wood Frog is terrestrial, preferring moist wooded areas.   
    
    On the Delmarva Peninsula, the Wood Frog is one of the earliest of frog species to breed each year.  
    
    
12. Crawfish Frog  ______  (LE:13)  NC  SC   Size: 2.75 to 3.5 inches
    Rana areolata
    
    The Crawfish Frog favors moist pastures and meadows, where it takes shelter during the day in crawfish burrows, or the burrows of other animals. 
    
    Rana areolata is classified as near, or potentially, threatened in North Carolina. 
    
    
13. Florida Bog Frog  ______  (LE:7)   Size: grows to about 2 inches in length
    Rana okaloosae
    
    The Florida Bog Frog is a recently discovered species (described in 1985) with a very restricted range.
    It is found only in cool, clear freshwater seeps and boggy areas in the two counties of Okaloosa and Santa Roca in the western panhandle of Florida.
    
    Rana okaloosae is classified as vulnerable.
    
    
    Family HYLIDAE
    
    
14. Spring Peeper  (*)  ______  (LE:23)   Size: 0.75 to 1.5 inches
    Pseudacris crucifer  (formerly Hyla crucifer) 
    Pseudacris crucifer crucifer  Northern Spring Peeper  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA
    Pseudacris crucifer bartramiana  Southern Spring Peeper  ______  FL  range is in northern Florida and southern Georgia     
    
    Some other names of the Spring Peeper are:
    "Pink-winks" along Nova Scotia's south shore
    "Pinkletinks" on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
    "Tinklewinks" in New Brunswick, Canada 
    
    The Spring Peeper breeds in pools, ditches, and ponds. Not often seen outside the breeding season when it looks for insects in trees and shrubs, and on the ground.
    Pseudacris crucifer has a "rain call" given periodically in the summer and autumn, from trees and shrubs, that is a repeated series of peeps or squeaks that are harsher and more dissonant than its call in the spring, hence the nickname "Autumn Piper".  
    
    
15. Southern Chorus Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:28)  NC  SC   Size: 0.75 to 1.25 inches  
    Pseudacris nigrita nigrita
    Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa  Florida Chorus Frog  ______  FL
    
    The range of the Southern Chorus Frog, Pseudacris nigrita, is the coastal plan from North Carolina to Mississippi, including all of Florida. It frequents a variety of habitats.
    Pseudacris nigrita calls from grass at the edge of water in roadside ditches, temporary pools, and flooded fields.
    The call is similar to that of the other chorus frogs noted below: Pseudacris feriarum, Pseudacris kalmi, as well as that of the Western Chorus Frog, Pseudacris triseriata, and the Boreal Chorus Frog, Pseudacris maculata.
    The last of these are not in the geographic scope of this list.
    
    The Southern Chorus Frog breeds in the winter, from November to April.    
    
    
16. Upland Chorus Frog  ______  (LE:27)  NC  NJ  MD  PA  SC   Size: 0.75 to 1.5 inches
    Pseudacris feriarum
    
    In the eastern US, the Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris feriarum, is generally restricted to the Piedmont region.
    The geographic range of the species is from northwestern New Jersey south to eastern Texas.
    There are supposedly a few populations of Pseudacris feriarum in the South Carolina coastal plain.  
    
    Pseudacris feriarum and Pseudacris kalmi (below) breed from winter to spring in roadside ditches and other shallow water, often adjacent to farmland. 
    
    
17. New Jersey Chorus Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:27)  DE  MD  NJ  PA  VA   Size: 0.75 to 1.5 inches
    Pseudacris kalmi
    
    The range of Pseudacris kalmi includes southeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Delmarva Peninsula.
    
    
    REGARDING UPDATED TAXONOMY OF CHORUS FROGS: 
    
    The Upland Chorus Frog, now Pseudacris feriarum, was long considered to be a subspecies of the Western Chorus Frog, or Striped Chorus Frog, Pseudacris triseriata.
    The northerly Boreal Chorus Frog, now Pseudacris maculata, was also considered a subspecies of the Western Chorus Frog.
    The voice, appearance, and habits of these species are nearly identical to that of the Western Chorus Frog, as is, as noted above, the New Jersey Chorus Frog, now also been said to be a species, Pseudacris kalmi.    
    
    
18. Mountain Chorus Frog  ______  (LE:30)  MD  NC(far west)  PA  VA(far west & local in south)   Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
    Pseudacris brachyphona
    
    Pseudacris brachyphona ranges in the Appalachian Mountains, south from southwestern Pennsylvania.
    It breeds from winter to spring in pools, ditches, ponds, or springs in forests or at forest edges. 
    
    
19. Brimley's Chorus Frog  ______  (LE:29)  NC  SC  VA(southeast)   Size: 1 to 1.25 inches
    Pseudacris brimleyi
    
    The range of the Brimley's Chorus Frog is on the coastal plain from Virginia to Georgia.
    It breeds from November to March or April in ponds, swamps, and ditches.
    The advertisement call of Pseudacris brimleyi is much like that of the Southern Chorus Frog and the Western Chorus Frog, but more raspy.  
    
    
20. Ornate Chorus Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:24)  NC  SC   Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
    Pseudacris ornata
    
    The Ornate Chorus Frog occurs on the coastal plain from North Carolina to Louisiana, not in Florida.
    It breeds from December through  March, usually after rains, calling from temporary pools, ponds, and roadside ditches by open areas.
    
    
21. Pine Barrens Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:16)  FL  NC  NJ  SC(local)   Size: 1 to 2 inches
    Hyla andersonii
    
    The Pine Barrens Treefrog is one of the most beautiful of the frogs in eastern North America. It is green above with white-bordered lavender stripes on each side.
    It has a very restricted distribution, occurring only in pine barren habitats in New Jersey, the Carolinas, the Florida panhandle, and in Alabama.
    
    The advertisement call of the Pine Barrens Treefrog is rather similar to that of the Green Treefrog (below, in this list), but it is somewhat more melodic and usually higher in pitch and repeated more rapidly (with up to 3 calls per second).
    It can be heard from bogs, swamps, and shrubby areas where water seeps to the surface.        
    
    In New Jersey, the Pine Barrens Treefrog is classified as endangered. It is restricted, in New Jersey, to the Pine Barrens.
    
    In North Carolina, the Pine Barrens Treefrog occurs in 16 counties in the south-central part of the state.
    In South Carolina, it occurs only in the northern part of the upper coastal plain. 
    
    
22. Green Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:15)  DE  MD  NC  SC  VA(east)   Size: 1.25 to 2.5 inches
    Hyla cinerea
    
    Other names for Hyla cinerea are "Cowbell Frog" and "Rain Frog".
    The first of these names is because at a distance the call can sound bell-like.
    The second name is because huge choruses erupt after warm rains. 
    
    The Green Treefrog breeds in swamps, marshes, and ponds. 
    
    
23. Barking Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:17)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA(far southeast)   Size: 2 to 2.75 inches
    Hyla gratiosa
    
    Hyla gratiosa is classified as endangered in Delaware and Maryland and threatened in Virginia. 
    The species is found mainly in coastal plain habitats from North Carolina to Louisiana. Populations in Virginia, Maryland, d New Jersey, and Kentucky are isolated.
    
    From a distance, the Barking Treefrog sounds like the hollow barks of a hound dog. It gives a different call from trees or shrubs, harsh and barking.
    The breeding of Hyla gratiosa is from spring to early autumn in shallow ponds and cypress swamps. 
    
    
24. Pine Woods Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:19)  FL  NC  SC  VA(southeast)   Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
    Hyla femoralis
    
    The Pine Woods Treefrog spends much of its time high in trees, especially pines, where it feeds on small insects.
    The reddish-brown color of the frog provides camouflage against the pine bark.
    The range of Hyla femoralis is the pine forest habitats in the coastal plain from Virginia to Louisiana.
    
    The Pine Woods Treefrog breeds from late spring through the summer in ditches, pools, and small ponds.   
    
    
25. Squirrel Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:18)  FL  NC  SC  VA(far southeast)   Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
    Hyla squirrela
    
    The Squirrel Treefrog sometimes feeds in trees, but it is also found on the ground near decaying stumps or logs.
    It breeds in temporary ponds and ditches. 
    
    
26. Gray Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:20)  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA   Size: 1.25 to 2.5 inches
    Hyla versicolor
    
    Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoselis (below) are identical in appearance, but they can be distinguished in the field by their vocalizations. The two species do not interbreed. 
    
    Hyla versicolor, the Gray Treefrog, spends most of its time above ground, looking for insects in trees and shrubs.
    It breeds from the late spring into the summer in ponds and pools surrounded by shrubs and trees.
    In the summer, it may trill.
    
    
27. Cope's Gray Treefrog  (*)  ______  (LE:21)  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA   Size: 1.25 to 2.5 inches
    Hyla chrysoselis 
    
    As noted above (in this list) with Hyla versicolor, it and Hyla chrysoselis are virtually identical in appearance. 
    But generally there is not an overlap in the occurrence of these two look-alike species.
    
    What was written above about the Gray Treefrog, regarding habitat, habits, and breeding, also applies to the Cope's Gray Treefrog.
    In an aggressive situation, the Cope's Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoselis, responds with squeaky chirps like those of the Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor.  
    
    The Cope's Gray Treefrog is classified as endangered in New Jersey.
    
    
28. Bird-voiced Treefrog  ______  (LE:22)  SC(local)   Size: 1 to 2 inches
    Hyla avivoca
    
    The Bird-voiced Treefrog in South Carolina is only in the swamps of the Savannah River and it tributaries.
    
    
29. Northern Cricket Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:31)   DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  Size: 0.5 to 1.5 inches
    Acris crepitans crepitans
    
    The Northern Cricket Frog calls from open or grassy edges of ponds, lakes, creeks, and swampy areas.
    It breeds from late winter into the summer.
    
    
30. Southern Cricket Frog  (*)  ______  (LE:32)  NC  SC  VA(far southeast)  Size: 0.5 to 1.5 inches
    Acris gryllus gryllus
    Acris gryllus dorsalis  Florida Cricket Frog  ______  FL
    
    The Southern Cricket Frog calls from floating vegetation or from shorelines of lakes, ponds, pools, and streams.
    It breeds primarily from April through the summer.
    
    
31. Little Grass Frog  ______  (LE:26)  FL  NC  SC  VA(far southeast & local in south)  Size: 0.5 to 0.75 inches
    Pseudacris (formerly Limnaoedus) ocularis
    
    The Little Grass Frog is the smallest frog in North America. it is active during the day in open grassy areas.
    Breeding is from winter to summer, with a spring-time peak. It calls from flooded grassy meadows, roadside pools, and ponds with emergent grassy vegetation.
    The advertisement call of the Little Grass Frog is very high-pitched and insect-like. 
    
    
    Family BUFONIDAE: TRUE TOADS 
    
    
32. American Toad  (ph) (*)  ______  (LE:33)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC(far northwest)  VA   Size: 2 to 4.5 inches  
    Bufo americanus americanus  Eastern American Toad  ______  DE  MD  VA
    
    The American Toad breeds in the spring, from April to June, and as early as January in the South. 
    
    
    
    Above & below: American Toads
    (upper photo by Howard Eskin; two photos below by Marie Gardner)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
33. Oak Toad  (*)  ______  (LE:38)  NC  SC  VA   Size: .75 to 1.25 inches
    Bufo quercicus
    
    The Oak Toad is the smallest of the true toads in North America. It is abundant in the southeast US, in oak-pine woodlands and upland pine forest on the coastal plain from Virginia to Louisiana.
    It is commonly seen during the day. During dry periods, it burrows into the ground.  
    
    
34. Southern Toad  (*)  ______  (LE:34)  NC  SC  VA(far southeast)   Size: 1.75 to 4 inches
    Bufo terrestris
    
    The range of the Southern Toad is on the coastal plain from Virginia to Louisiana. 
    
    
35. Fowler's Toad  (ph) (*) ______  (LE:36)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA   Size: 2 to 3.5 inches
    Bufo fowleri   
    
    The Fowler's Toad was a subspecies of the more-westerly Woodhouse's Toad, Bufo woodhousii.
    
    The Fowler's Toad breeds mostly from February through May, but it can be heard calling in the summer from lakes, ponds, rivers, ditches, and pools.
    The advertisement call of the Fowler's Toad is a buzzy, nasal trill lasting from 1 to 5 seconds. It sounds somewhat like a baby crying. 
    
    Bufo fowleri is a subspecies of special concern in New Jersey. 
    
    
    
    Fowler's Toad
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
    Family PELOBATIDAE: SPADEFOOTS
    
    
36. Eastern Spadefoot Toad  (*)  ______  (LE:39)  DE  MA(rare)  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA   Size: 1.75 to 3 inches
    Scaphiopus holbrooki
    
    The Eastern Spadefoot Toad is classified as threatened in Massachusetts. its primary distribution is in the southeast US.
    
    The Eastern Spadefoot Toad was considered a subspecies of the Hurter's Spadefoot Toad, Scaphiopus hurteri, of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
    
    Scaphiopus holbrooki breeds in temporary pools caused by heavy rains. It calls during the summer. 
    
    
    Family MICROHYLIDAE: NARROW-MOUTHED TOADS
    
    
37. Eastern Narrowmouth Toad  (*)  ______  (LE:41)  MD  NC  SC  VA(mostly east)   Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
    Gastrophryne carolinensis
    
    The Eastern Narrowmouth Toad occurs in a variety of habitats, but in its habits it is secretive.
    It breeds in ponds, lakes, pools, and ditches.  
    
    Gastrophryne carolinensis is classified as endangered in Maryland. Breeding activity has not been confirmed on the Delmarva Peninsula for more than 25 years.
    
    
    SALAMANDERS
    
    
    Familes: CRYPTOBRANCHIDAE, PROTEIDAE, AMPHIUMIDAE, and SIRENIDAE 
    
    Family CRYPTOBRANCHIDAE:  GIANT SALAMANDERS
    
    
38. Eastern Hellbender  ______  MD  NC(west)  PA  SC(local in far northwest)  VA(west)  (Length: 12 to 29 inches)
    Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
    
    Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis is classified as endangered in Maryland.
    
    
    Family PROTEIDAE:  MUDPUPPY SALAMANDERS
    
    
39. Common Mudpuppy  ______  MD  NC(local in west)  PA  VA(far-west)  (Length: 8 to 9 inches)
    Necturus maculosus maculosus
    
    
40. Carolina Mudpuppy  ______  NC  (has been called Neuse River Waterdog)  (Length: 6.5 to 11 inches)
    Necturus lewisi   
    
    Necturus lewisi is classified as near, or potentially, threatened in North Carolina. It is endemic to the state, in the Neuse and Tar River basins. 
    
    
41. Dwarf Mudpuppy  ______  NC  SC  (has been called Dwarf Waterdog)  (Length: 4.5 to 7.5 inches)
    Necturus punctatus 
    
    
42. Two-toed Amphiuma  ______ NC  SC  VA(east)  (Length: 18 to 46 inches)
    Amphiuma means
    
    
43. Lesser Siren ______  NC  SC  (Length: 6 to 15 inches)
    Siren intermedia
    
    
44. Greater Siren  ______  NC  SC  VA(east)  (Length: 20 to 37.5 inches)
    Siren lacertina
    
    Siren lacertina is classified as near, or potentially, threatened in North Carolina.
    
    
45. Narrow-billed Dwarf Siren  ______  FL(central)  SC  (Length: 4 to 6 inches)
    Pseudobranchus striatus axanthus 
    
    
    Family AMBYSTOMATIDAE:  MOLE SALAMANDERS
    
    
46. Mabee's Salamander   ______ NC  SC  (Length: 3 to 4.5 inches) 
    Ambystoma mabeei
    
    
47. Spotted Salamander   ______ DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 6 to 10 inches)
    Ambystoma maculatum
    
    
48. Marbled Salamander  (*)   ______  DE  MA(rare)  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 3.5 to 5 inches)
    Ambystoma opacum
    
    The Marbled Salamander is classified as threatened in Massachusetts.
    
    
49. Mole Salamander  ______  NC(mostly west)  SC  (Length: 3 to 5 inches)
    Ambystoma talpoideum
    
    
50. Flatwoods Salamander  ______  SC  (Length: 3.5 to 5 inches)
    Ambystoma cingulatum
    
    
51. Jefferson Salamander  ______  MA  MD  NJ  PA  VA(north & west)  (Length: 4.25 to 8.5 inches)
    Ambystoma jeffersonianum
    
    The Jefferson Salamander was named for Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania. The college was named for Thomas Jefferson, who was both a naturalist and the 3rd president of the United States.   
    
    
52. Blue-spotted Salamander  ______  MA  NJ
    Ambystoma laterale
    
    Ambystoma laterale is classified as endangered in New Jersey.
    
    
53. Tremblay's Salamander  ______  NJ
    Ambystoma tremblayi
    
    The Tremblay's Salamander is a hybrid species of the Jefferson Salamander and the Blue-spotted Salamander (both above).
    This hybridization creates two all female species - the Tremblay's and Silvery Salamanders. These genetic curiosities have 3 sets of chromosomes instead of 2.
    Tremblay's Salamanders breed with male Blue-spotted Salamanders in March and April.
    
    Ambystoma tremblayi is classified as endangered in New Jersey.    
    
    
54. Silvery Salamander  ______  NJ
    Ambystoma platineum
    
    
55. Eastern Tiger Salamander  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA(east)  (Length: 7 to 11 inches)
    Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum
    
    Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum has been classified as endangered in Delaware & New Jersey.
    
    
    Family PLETHODONTIDAE:  LUNGLESS SALAMANDERS 
    
    
56. Northern Dusky Salamander  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 2.5 to 5.5 inches)
    Desmognathus fuscus fuscus
    
    
57. Southern Dusky Salamander  ______ NC  SC  VA(southeast)  (Length: 3 to 6.5 inches)
    Desmognathus auriculatus 
    
    
58. Santeetlah Dusky Salamander  ______  NC(far-west)
    Desmognathus santeetlah
    
    
59. Seal Salamander  ______  (Length: 3 to 6 inches)
    Desmognathus monticola
    Desmognathus monticola monticola  Appalachian Seal Salamander  ______  MD  NC  PA  SC(far northwest)  VA  
    
    
60. Black-bellied Salamander  ______  NC(west)  SC(far northwest)  VA(west)  (Length: 4 to 8 inches)
    Desmognathus quadramaculatus
    
    
61. Mountain Dusky Salamander  ______  MD  NC(west)  NJ  PA  SC(far northwest)  VA(west)  (Length: nearly 3 to 4.5 inches)
    Desmognathus ochrophaeus
    
    Desmognathus ochrophaeus has an amazing variation in color, markings, body proportions, and size. The variation is individual, ontogenetic, and geographic. 
    
    
62. Imitator Salamander  ______  NC(far-west)  (Length: 3 to 4.5 inches)
    Desmognathus imitator
    
    Desmognthus imitator is a cryptic species that resembles Desmognathus ochrophaeus in size and general appearance but differs in genetic makeup.
    Many populations of Desmognathus imitator vary markedly in color and pattern and can be distinguished from Desmognathus ochrophaeus only by electrophoretic analysis.
    Presently, only certain populations along the main ridge of the Great Smoky Mountains can be distinguished  from Desmognathus ochrophaeus by their color patterns.   
    
    
63. Apalachicola Dusky Salamander  ______
    Desmognathus apalachicolae
    
    
64. Pigmy Salamander  ______  NC(west)  (Length: 1.5 to 2 inches)
    Desmognathus wrighti
    
    
65. Seepage Salamander  ______  NC(far-west)  (another name is Cherokee Salamander)  (Length: 1.75 to 2.25 inches)
    Desmognathus aeneus
    
    
66. Shovelnose Salamander  ______  NC(west)  (Length: 3.5 to 5.5 inches)
    Desmognathus (or Leurognathus) marmoratus
    
    
67. Cumberland Salamander  (nt)  ______  VA(far west)  (species described in 2003)  (Length: 3 to 6.5 inches)
    Desmognathus welteri
    
    
68. Northern Two-lined Salamander  ______    DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 2.5 to 5 inches)
    Eurycea bislineata bislineata
    
    
69. Southern Two-lined Salamander  ______  NC
    Eurycea cirrigera
    
    
70. Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander  ______  NC
    Eurycea wilderae
    
    
71. Junaluska Salamander  (t3)  ______  NC(far-west)  (species described in 1976)  (Length: 3 to 4 inches)
    Eurycea junaluska
    
    Eurycea junluska is known only to be in Graham County, North Carolina, and the western tip of the Great Smoky Mountains Park.
    
    
72. Long-tailed Salamander  ______  (Length: 3.5 to 8 inches)
    Eurycea longicauda longicauda  ______  DE  MD  NC(locally in west)  NJ  PA  VA(west)  (in Appalachian & Piedmont Regions) 
    Eurycea longicauda guttolineata  Three-lined Salamander  ______  MD  NC  SC  VA
    
    Eurycea longicauda longicauda is classified as threatened in New Jersey. 
    
    
73. Cave Salamander  ______  VA(west)  (Length: 5 to 7 inches)
    Eurycea lucifuga
    
    
74. Dwarf Salamander  ______  NC  SC  (Length: 2 to 3.5 inches)
    Eurycea quadridigitata
    
    
75. Eastern Red-backed Salamander  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA  (has been called Redback Salamander) (Length: 2.25 to 5 inches)
    Plethodon cinereus
    
    
76. Southern Red-backed Salamander  ______  NC(far west)  (Length: 2.25 to 5 inches)
    Plethodon serratus
    
    
77. Peaks of Otter Salamander  (t3)  ______  VA(locally in west)  (species described in 1957)  (Length: 3 to 5 inches)
    Plethodon hubrichti
    
    Plethodon hubrichti occurs only in cool, moist woods on the Peaks of Otter in Virginia. 
    
    
78. Ravine Salamander  ______  NC(west)  PA  VA(far west)  (Length: 3 to 5.5 inches)
    Plethodon richmondi
    
    
79. Shenandoah Salamander  ______  VA(locally in north)  (Length: 3 to 4.5 inches)
    Plethodon shenandoah
    
    Plethodon shenandoah occurs only in the highest mountains in the Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia. 
    
    
80. Valley and Ridge Salamander  ______  MD  PA  VA(west)  (species described in 1972)  (Length: 3 to 5.5 inches)
    Plethodon hoffmani
    
    
81. Cheat Mountain Salamander  (nt)  ______
    Plethodon nettingi
    
    
82. Weller's Salamander  (t2)  ______  NC(far-west)  (Length: 2.5 to 3 inches)
    Plethodon welleri
    
    
83. Wehrle's Salamander  ______  MD  NC(local)  PA  VA(west)  (Length: 4 to 6.5 inches)
    Plethodon wehrlei
    
    
84. White-spotted Salamander  ______  VA(west, locally)  (also called the Cow Knob Salamander)  (Length: 4 to 6 inches)
    Plethodon punctatus
    
    
85. Northern Slimy Salamander  ______ MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 4.5 to 8 inches)
    Plethodon glutinsus glutinsus
    
    
86. Tellico Salamander  ______  (species described in 1983)
    Plethodon aureolus
    
    
87. Cumberland Plateau Salamander  ______  (species described in 1951)
    Plethodon kentucki
    
    
88. Southern Appalachian Salamander  ______
    Plethodon teyahalee
    
    
89. Yonahlossee Salamander  ______  NC(west)  VA(west locally)  (Length: 4.5 to 7.5 inches)
    Plethodon yonahlossee
    
    
90. Jordan's Salamander  ______  NC(west)  SC(far nothwest)  VA(west)  (Length: 3.5 to 7 inches)
    Plethodon jordani
    
    
91. Northern Zigzag Salamader  ______  NC  (Length: 2.5 to 4.5 inches)
    Plethodon dorsalis
    
    In North Carolina, Plethodon dorsalis is only known to occur in Henderson County.
    
    It seems as if the known populations of Plethedon dorsalis are relicts of a widespread Pleistocene population.
    
    
92. Southern Zigzag Salamander  ______  (species described in 1997)
    Plethodon ventralis
    
    
93. Webster's Salamander  ______  SC(local)  (Length: 2.5 to 4.5 inches)
    Plethodon websteri 
    
    
94. Four-toed Salamander  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 2 to 3.5 inches)
    Hemidactylium scutatum
    
    
95. Many-lined Salamander  ______  NC(east)  SC  VA(southesast)  (Length: 2.5 to 4.5 inches)
    Stereochilus marginatus
    
    
96. Green Salamander  ______  MD  NC(far-west)  PA  VA(far-west)  (Length: 3 to 5.5 inches)
    Aneides aeneus
    
    Aneides aeneus is classified as threatened in Pennsylvania.
    
    
97. Spring Salamander  ______   (Length: nearly 4.5 to 8.5 inches)
    Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus  Northern Spring Salamander  ______  MD  NJ  PA
    Gyrinophilus porphyriticus danielsi  Blue Ridge Spring Salamander  ______  NC  SC(northwest)  VA(west)
    Gyrinophilus porphyriticus dunni   Carolina Spring Salamander  ______  NC
    
    
98. West Virginia Spring Salamander  ______
    Gyrinophilus subterraneus 
    
    
99. Mud Salamander  ______   (Length: 3 to 7.5 inches) 
    Pseudotriton montanus montanus   Eastern Mud Salamander  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA 
    
    Pseudotriton montanus montanus is classified as threatened in New Jersey. 
    
    
100. Red Salamander  ______   (Length: 3 to 7 inches)
     Pseudotriton ruber ruber  Northern Red Salamander  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  
     Pseudotriton ruber schencki  Blackchin Red Salamander  ______  NC
     
     
     Family SALAMANDRIDAE:  NEWTS
     
     
101. Eastern Newt  ______  (Length: 2.5 to 5.5 inches)
     Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens  Red-spotted Newt  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA  
     Notophthalmus viridescens dorsalis  Broken-striped Newt  ______  NC  SC
     
     
102. Striped Newt  ______  FL(north)
     Notophthalmus perstriatus 
     
     
     
     Reptiles:
     
     CROCODILES and ALLIGATORS
     
     
     Family CROCODYLIDAE
      
103. American Crocodile  ______  FL
     Crocodylus acutus
     
     
     Family ALLIGATORIDAE
     
     
104. American Alligator  (ph) (*)  ______  FL  NC(east)  SC  (Length: 6 to 19 feet)
     Alligator mississippiensis
     
     
     
     An American Alligator
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     TURTLES
     
     
     Family CHELYDRIDAE
     
     
105. Snapping Turtle  (ph) (*)  ______  NC  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 8 to 18.5 inches)
     Chleydra serpentina
     Chleydra serpentina serpentina  Eastern Snapping Turtle  ______  DE  MD  NJ  PA  VA  
     
     
     
     Snapping Turtle
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
106. Alligator Snapping Turtle  ______  FL(north)
     Macroclemys temminckii
     
     
     Family KINOSTERNIDAE: MUSK & MUD TURTLES
     
     
107. Mud Turtle  (*)  ______  (Length: 3 to 5 inches)
     Kinosternon subrubum
     Kinosternon subrubum subrubum  Eastern Mud Turtle  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA  
     Kinosternon subrubum steindachneri  "Florida Mud Turtle"  ______  FL  
     
     Kinosternon subrubum subrubum is believed to be extirpated in Pennsylvania.  
     
     
108. Eastern (or Common) Musk Turtle  (*)  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  SC  PA  VA   (has been called Stinkpot)  (Length: 3 to 5.5 inches)
     Sternotherus odoratus
     
     
109. Loggerhead Musk Turtle  ______  FL(north)
     Sternotherus minor minor
     
     
110. Stripeneck Musk Turtle  ______  NC(far west)  (Length: 3 to 4.5 inches)
     Sternotherus minor pelifer
     
     
     Family EMYDIDAE: POND, MARSH, and BOX TURTLES
     
     
111. Eastern River Cooter  (*)  ______  NC  SC  VA  (Length: 5.5 to 12.5 inches) 
     Pseudemys (formerly Chrysemys) concinna 
     
     
112. Florida (or Peninsula) Cooter  ______  FL(north)  NC  SC  VA(east)  (Length: 9 to 15.5 inches)
     Pseudemys floridana
     
     
113. Northern Red-bellied Cooter   ______  DE  MA(very rare)  MD  NC(east)  NJ  PA  VA(east)  (another name has been Redbelly Turtle)  (Length: 10 to 16 inches)
     Pseudemys rubriventris
     
     A disjunct population of Pseudemys rubriventris occurs in Massachusetts, where it is classified as endangered.
     
     Pseudemys rubriventris is classified as threatened in Pennsylvania.
     
     
     
     Above & below: Northern Red-bellied Cooters
     (upper photo by Marie Gardner; lower photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     
     
114. Florida Redbelly Turtle  ______  FL
     Pseudemys nelsoni
     
     
115. Eastern Box Turtle  (ph) (*)  ______  DE  MA  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 4.5 to 6.5 inches)
     Terrapene carolina carolina
     
     
     
     Above & below: Eastern Box Turtles
     (upper photo by Howard Eskin; lower photo by Rise Hill)
     In the lower photo, the turtle is crossing a road.
     
     
     
     
     
116. Painted Turtle  (ph) (*)  ______  (Length: 4.5 to 7 inches)
     Chrysemys picta 
     Chrysemys picta picta  Eastern Painted Turtle  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  
     Chrysemys picta marginata  ______  NJ
     
     
     
     Painted Turtles
     (above photo by Howard Eskin; lower photo by Marie Gardner)
     
     
117. Yellowbelly (or Pond) Slider  (ph) (*)  ______   NC  SC  VA  (Length: 5 to 11.5 inches)    
     Trachemys (formerly Chrysemys) scripta
     Trachemys scripta scripta  ______
     Trachemys scripta elegans  Red-eared Slider  ______  DE  MD  NJ  
     
     In Trachemys scripta, the reddish stripe behind the eye is unique among North American turtles, but not all individuals have it. Rarely, the red is replaced by yellow.
     
     
     
     The Yellowbelly, or Pond Slider
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
118. Spotted Turtle ______ DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 3.5 to 5 inches)
     Clemmys guttata
     
     
119. Bog Turtle  ______  DE(very rare)  MA(very rare)  MD  NC(west)  NJ  PA  VA(local)  (Length: 3 to 4 inches)
     Clemmys muhlenbergii
     
     Clemmys muhlenbergii is classified as endangered in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, & Virginia and threatened in Maryland. It is classified as federally threatened by the US government. 
     
     
120. Wood Turtle  ______  MA  MD  NJ  PA  VA(far north)  (another name has been "Sculptured Turtle") (Length: 5.5 to 9 inches)
     Clemmys insculpta
     
     Clemmys insculpta is classified as threatened in New Jersey & Virginia.
     
     
121. Common Map Turtle  ______  MD  NJ  PA  VA(far west)  (Length: 4 to 6 inches)
     Graptemys geographica
     
     Graptemys geographica is classified as endangered in Maryland.
     
     
122. Chicken Turtle  ______  FL  NC  SC  (Length: 4 to 10 inches)
     Deirochelys reticularia
     
     
123. Blanding's Turtle  ______   MA(rare)  PA  (Length: 5 to just over 7 inches)
     Emydoidea blandingii
     
     The Blanding's Turtle is classified as threatened in Massachusetts.
     
     
124. Diamondback Terrapin  (ph) (*)  ______  (Length: 6 to 9 inches)
     Malaclemys terrapin
     Malaclemys terrapin terrapin  Northern Diamond-backed Terrapin  ______  DE  MA(rare)  MD  NC(east)  NJ  VA(east)  
     
     The Northern Diamond-backed Terrapin is classified as threatened in Massachusetts.
     
     
     
     Diamondback Terrapin
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     Family TESTUDINIDAE
     
     
125. Gopher Tortoise  ______  FL  SC(far south)  (Length: 6 to 14.5 inches)
     Gopherus polyphemus
     
     
     Families DERMOCHELYIDAE and CHELONIIDAE
     
     An excellent book, filled with good information about Sea Turtles, and interesting reading, is "Voyage of the Turtle - in Pursuit of the Earth's Last Dinosaur", by Carl Safina, published in 2007.   
     
     
126. Leatherback (Sea Turtle)  (t1) (ph) (*)  ______  DE  MA(very rare)  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA  (offshore ocean)  (Length: 53 to 70 inches)
     Dermochelys coriacea
     
     Along the Atlantic Coast of eastern North America, the Leatherback Sea Turtle has nested as far north as North Carolina, and on several beaches around the Gulf of Mexico.
     In the Western Atlantic Ocean at sea the Leatherback occurs as far north as Newfoundland and as far south as Argentina. It has commonly occurred in New England waters during the summer months.     
     
     But in 20 years, from 1980 to 2000, the Leatherback Sea Turtle lost an estimated 70 per cent of its worldwide population.
     One study saw this decline in only 14 years. It estimated that Leatherback numbers fell from 115,000 adult females alive in 1982 to fewer than 35,000 in 1996. 
     The two main problems for the species were said to be drowning in fishing gear and having its eggs taken by people, mainly for food and supposed aphrodisiac powers.   
     
     The Leatherback Sea Turtle is classified as endangered by the US government. It is classified as endangered in Massachusetts.     
     
     
127. Loggerhead (Sea Turtle)  (t2) (ph) (*) ______  DE  MA(rare)  MD  NC  NJ  (offshore ocean)  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 31 to 47 inches)
     Caretta caretta 
     
     The Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests in eastern North America as far north as a few undisturbed beaches in North Carolina. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it occurs at sea as far north as the Canadian Maritime Provinces and as far south as Argentina.
     
     The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is classified as federally threatened by the US government. It is classified as threatened in Massachusetts & New Jersey. 
     
     
     
     Loggerhead Sea Turtle 
     (photographed by Alan Brady 
     during a FONT North Carolina pelagic trip)
       
     
128. Green Sea Turtle  (t2)  ______  DE(where rare)  MA(rare)  MD  NC  NJ  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 30 to 60 inches)
     Chelonia mydas
     
     In the western Atlantic Ocean, the Green Sea Turtle has occurred at sea as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as northern Argentina. 
     
     The Green Sea Turtle is classified as federally threatened by the US government. It is classified as threatened in  Massachusetts & New Jersey.  
     
     
129. Atlantic Hawksbill Sea Turtle  (t1)  ______  MA(very rare)  MD  NC  NJ  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 29.5 to 36 inches)
     Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata
     
     In the western Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic Hawksbill has been found at sea as far north as southern New England and as far south as southern Brazil.
     
     The Atlantic Hawksbill is classified as federally endangered by the US government. It is classified as endangered in Massachusetts & New Jersey.
     
     There is one confirmed record of the Atlantic Hawksbill off the Delmarva Peninsula, in the lower Chesapeake Bay prior to 1994. 
     
     
130. Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle  (t1)  ______  MA(very rare)  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA  (Another name is Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle)  (Length: 23 to 30 inches)
     Lepidochelys kempii
     
     The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle occurs chiefly in the Gulf of Mexico, but immatures often appear in the summer and fall as far north as New England, and more rarely to Nova Scotia.
     
     The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle is classified as federally endangered by the US government. It is classified as endangered in Massachusetts & New Jersey.
     
     Lepidochelys kempii is found in numbers each year from May to November in the Chesapeake Bay and off the Mid-Atlantic Coast especially around barrier islands. 
     It has been estimated that the annual population of this species in the lower Chesapeake Bay is between 300 and 500 individuals.   
     
     The closely-related Olive Ridley may eventually appear in eastern North America, particularly Florida, Nesting colonies, apparently derived from migrants across the Atlantic Ocean from West Africa, occur on several beaches in the Guianas and Trinidad, and strays have been been known in Puerto Rica and the northern coast of Cuba.        
     
     
     Family TRIONYCHIDAE
     
     
131. Spiny Softshell  (ph)  ______  (Length: 5 to 9 inches)
     Apalone (formerly Trionyx) spinifera
     Apalone spinifera spinifera  Eastern Spiny Softshell  ______  MD  NC  NJ  SC  PA  VA(locally in west) 
     Apalone spinifera aspera  Gulf Coast Shiny Softshell  ______  NC
     
     
     
     A Spiny Softshell photographed during a FONT tour
     
     
132. Florida Softshell  ______  SC(far south)  (Length: 6 to 11 inches)
     Apalone ferox
     
     
     LIZARDS
     
     
     Family POLYCHRIDAE
     
     
133. Carolina Anole  (*)  ______  NC  SC  (also called Green Anole)  (Length: 5 to 8 inches)
     Anolis carolinensis 
     
     
134. Brown Anole  (i) (ph)  ______  FL
     Anolis sagrei
     
     
     
     A Brown Anole photographed during a FONT tour
     
     
     
     Family PHRYNOSOMATIDAE
     
     
135. Texas Horned Lizard  ______  SC(introduced)  (Length: 2.5 to 7 inches)
     Phrynosoma cornutum  
     
     
136. Fence Lizard  (*)  ______  (Length: 4 to 7.3 inches)
     Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus  Northern Fence Lizard  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA
     Sceloporus undulatus undulatus  Southern Fence Lizard  ______  FL(north) 
     
     
137. Florida Scrub Lizard  ______  FL
     Sceloporus woodi
     
     
     Family LACERTIDAE
     
     
138. Italian Wall Lizard  (i)  ______
     Podarcis sicula
     
     The Italian Wall Lizard is native to Italy and Mediterranean islands, with colonies also in Spain and Turkey. It was known to be in Philadelphia, but has not been seen there for decades. 
     
     
     Family SCINCIDAE: SKINKS
     
     
139. Common Five-lined Skink  ______ DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 5 to 8 inches)
     Eumeces fasciatus
     
     
140. Southeastern Five-lined Skink  ______ NC  SC  VA  (Length: 5.5 to 8.5 inches)
     Eumeces inexpectatus
     
     
141. Broad-headed Skink  ______ MD  NC  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 6.5 to 13 inches)
     Eumeces laticeps
     
     There is no record of Eumeces laticeps in Delaware (according to "Amphibians & Reptiles of Delmarva" by James & Amy White, 2002).
     
     
142. Coal Skink  ______  (Length: 5 to 7 inches)
     Eumeces anthracinus anthracinus  Northern Coal Skink  ______  MD  NC  PA  VA
     Eumeces anthracinus pluvialis  Southern Coal Skink  ______ 
     
     
143. Little Brown Skink  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA  (another name is Ground Skink)  (Length: 3 to 5 inches)
     Scincella lateralis  (formerly Leiolopisma laterale)
     
     Scincella lateralis rarely climbs, spending all of its active time on the ground in or on top of leafy layers, in thick grass, or under logs and other debris. Thus, observation of the species can be difficult.
     
     
144. Mole Skink  ______
     Eumeces egregius similis  Northern Mole Skink  ______  FL(north)
     Eumeces egregius onocrepis  Peninsula Mole Skink  ______  FL(central) 
     Eumeces egregius egregius  Florida Keys Mole Skink  ______  FL(south)
     
     
145. Sand Skink  ______  FL
     Neoseps reynoldsi  
     
     
     Family TEIIDAE
     
     
146. Six-lined Racerunner  ______ MD  NC  SC  VA  (conspecific with the more-westerly Prairie Racerunenr)  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 6 to 9.5 inches)
     Aspidoscelis (or Cnemidophorus) sexlineatus sexlineatus
     
     
     Family ANGUIDAE
     
     
147. Slender Glass Lizard ______   (Length: 22 to 46.5 inches)
     Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus  Eastern Slender Glass Lizard  ______  FL  NC  SC  VA(east)
     
     
148. Eastern Glass Lizard  (*)  ______ NC  SC  (Length: 18 to 42 inches)
     Ophisaurus ventralis
     
     
149. Mimic Glass Lizard  ______  NC
     Ophisaurus mimicus
     
     
150. Island Glass Lizard  ______  FL  SC  (Length: 15 to 24 inches)
     Ophisaurus compressus
     
     
     Family AMPHISBAENIDAE  (in the suborder AMPHISBAENIA)
     
     
151. Florida Worm Lizard  ______  FL
     Rhineura floridanus 
     
     
     SNAKES
     
     
     Family COLUBRIDAE:  COLUBRID SNAKES
     
     
152. Eastern Worm Snake ______ NC  SC  (Length: 7.5 to 12.5 inches)
     Carphophis amoenus 
     Carphophis amoenus amoenus  ______  DE  MD  NJ  PA  VA
     
     
153. Pine Woods Snake  ______  NC  SC  (Length: 10 to 15 inches)
     Rhadinaea flavilata
     
     
154. Scarlet Snake ______  (Length: 14 to 26 inches)
     Cemophora coccinea 
     Cemophora coccinea copei  Northern Scarlet Snake  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  SC  VA
     Cemophora coccinea coccinea  Florida Scarlet Snake  ______  FL 
     
     
155. Short-tailed Snake  ______  FL
     Stilosoma extennaatum
     
     
156. Black Racer  (*)  ______  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 36 to 66 inches)
     Coluber constrictor
     Coluber constrictor constrictor  Northern Black Racer  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Coluber constrictor priapus  Southern Black Racer  ______
     Coluber constrictor paludicola  Everglades Racer  ______  FL   
     
     As its English name implies, the Black Racer is a fast-moving snake, but contrary to the scientific name (constrictor), it does not use constriction to subdue its prey.  
     
     
157. Ringneck Snake  (ph)  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 10 to 20 inches)
     Diadophis punctatus
     Diadophis punctatus edwardsii  Northern Ringneck Snake  ______ MD  NJ  PA
     Diadophis punctatus punctatus  Southern Ringneck Snake  ______  NC  NJ  SC
     
     Most Ringneck Snakes found on the Delmarva Peninsula are believed to be intergrades between the two subspecies above.
     
        
     
     A Ringneck Snake in south-central Pennsylvania in July 2015    
     (photo by Armas Hill)
     
     
158. Corn Snake ______  NC  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 30 to 72 inches)
     Elaphe guttata
     Elaphe guttata guttata  ______  DE(rare)  MD  NJ  VA
     
     The Cornsnake can be confused with several other snakes, notably the Milk Snake, the Black Rat Snake, and the Copperhead.   
     
     Elaphe guttata guttata is classified as endangered on Delaware & New Jersey.
     
     
159. Rat Snake  ______  (Length: 42 to 85 inches)
     Elaphe obseleta 
     Elaphe obseleta obseleta  Black Rat Snake  ______  DE MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Elaphe obselata quadrivitata  Yellow Rat Snake  ______  NC(south)
     Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni  Everglades Rat Snake  ______  FL 
     
     
160. Eastern Mud Snake  ______  NC  SC  VA(southeast)  (Length: 40 to 73 inches)
     Farancia a. abacura
     
     
161. Rainbow Snake  ______ MD  NC  SC  VA(east)  (Length: 36 to 66 inches)
     Farancia erytrogramma
     Farancia erytrogramma seminola  South Florida Rainbow Snake  ______  FL
     
     
162. Eastern Hognose Snake  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (nicknames have included "Puff Adder", "Hissing Adder", "Spreading  Adder")  (Length: 20 to 47 inches)
     Heterodon platyrhinos
     
     Heterodon platyrhinos is typically found in sandy habitats, occurring in fields, dunes, and on beaches.
     
     Heterodon platyrhinos has the formidable-sounding nicknames noted above arising from a behavior that it has of scaring off would-be attackers. 
     When disturbed, the Hognose Snake widens its neck to take on a hood-like appearance. Its does so by flattening the head and neck, spreading long rib-bones outward. Then, inflating the body with air, hissing and striking out, it suddenly resembles a fearsome-looking creature. But it is harmless, and if awards in various categories were given to snakes, Heterodon platyrhinos would win hands-down for "most dramatic performance".  
     
     
163. Southern Hognose Snake ______  NC  SC  (Length: 13 to 22 inches)
     Heterodon simus
     
     
164. Pine Snake  ______  NC  SC  (Length: 42 to 72 inches)
     Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus  Northern Pine Snake  ______  NJ  VA(west)
     Pituophis melanoleucos mugitus  Florida Pine Snake  ______  FL 
     
     Pituophis melanoleucus is a large "black and white" snake with a loud hiss. The species is classified as threatened in New Jersey.
     
     
165. Prairie Kingsnake  ______  (Length: 30 to 46 inches)
     Lampropeltis calligaster    
     Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata  Mole Kingsnake  ______  MD  NC  SC  VA
     
     
166. Kingsnake  ______  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 36 to 69 inches)
     Lampropeltis getulus getulus  Eastern Kingsnake  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Lampropeltis getulus sticticeps  Outer Banks Kingsnake  ______  NC
     Lampropeltis getulus floridana  Florida Kingsnake  ______  FL
     
     
167. Scarlet Kingsnake, Eastern Milk Snake ______   (Length: 24 to 45 inches)
     These 2 forms, that appear so different from each other, were long thought to be 2 species, but are actually conspecific. There's a zone of intergradation, with snakes having intermediate characteristics.
     Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum  Eastern Milk Snake  ______  DE  MD  NC(west)  NJ  PA  SC(northwest)  VA(west)
     Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides  Scarlet Kingsnake  ______  FL  NC  SC  VA(south)   
     
     
168. Eastern Coachwhip ______ NC  SC  (Length: 48 to 94 inches)
     Masticophis flagellum flagellum
     
     The Eastern Coachwhip is probably the longest snake in North Carolina. 
     
     
169. Red-bellied Water Snake ______  DE(where rare)  MD  NC  SC  VA(southeast)  (Length: 30 to 60 inches)
     Nerodia erythrogaster
     
     
170. Banded Water Snake  ______ NC  SC  (Length: 24 to 55 inches)
     Nerodia fasciata fasciata
     Nerodia fasciata pictiventris  Florida Water Snake  ______  FL
     
     
171. Brown Water Snake ______  NC  SC  VA(southeast)  (Length: 32 to 64 inches)
     Nerodia taxispilota
     
     
172. Green Water Snake  ______ SC  (Length: 30 to 74 inches)
     Nerodia cyclopion
     
     
173. Common Water Snake  (ph) (*)  ______  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 24 to 50 inches)
     Nerodia (formerly Natrix) sipedon 
     Nerodia sipedon sipedon  Northern Water Snake  ______  DE  MD  NJ  PA  VA
     Nerodia sipedon pleuralis  Midland Water Snake  ______  NC  SC
     
     The Common Water Snake is a common resident of swamps, marshes, bogs, streams, and pond and lake borders. 
     Quiet waters are preferred, but it can occur by swift-flowing streams and in the environs of waterfalls. It can be in any of these wet places where it has not been exterminated by people or pollution.
     
     
     
     Two Photographs of the Northern Water Snake
     (photos by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     Below: Two more photos of a Northern Water Snake,
     this one photographed in Delaware on December 2, 2014
     (photos by Marie Gardner)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
174. Florida Green Water Snake  ______  NC
     Nerodia floridana
     
     
175. Salt Marsh Snake  ______
     Nerodia clarkii clarkii  Gulf Salt Marsh Snake  ______  FL(north)
     Nerodia clarkii compressicauda  Mangrove Salt Marsh Snake  ______  FL  
     
     
176. Rough Green Snake  ______  NC  SC  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 22 to 36 inches)
     Opheodrys aestivus
     Opheodrys aestivus aestivus  Northern Rough Greensnake  ______  DE  MD  NJ  PA  VA
     
     Opheodrys aestivus is classified as threatened in Pennsylvania.
     
     
177. Smooth Green Snake  ______  (Length: 14 to 24 inches)
     Opheodrys vernalis
     Opheodrys vernalis vernalis  Eastern Smooth Green Snake  ______  MD  NJ  PA  VA(west)
     
     
178. Eastern Indigo Snake  ______
     Drymarchon corais couperi 
     
     
179. Glossy Crayfish Snake ______  NC  SC  VA  (Length: 14 to 30.5 inches)
     Regina rigida
     
     There is a disjunct population of Regina rigida in New Kent County, Virginia. 
     
     
180. Queen Snake  ______  DE  MD  NC(west)  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (Length: 15 to 34 inches)
     Regina (formerly Natrix) septemvittata
     
     Regina septemvittata is rarely found far from the water's edge. Its principal food has been said to be crayfish that have recently molted.  
     
     
181. Striped Crayfish Snake  ______  FL
     Regina alleni
     
     
182. Kirtland's Snake  ______  PA  (Length: 14 to 18 inches)
     Clonophis kirtlandii
     
     Clonophis kirtlandii is classified as endangered in Pennsylvania.
     
     
183. Black Swamp Snake ______  NC  SC  (Length: 10 to 19 inches)
     Seminatrix pygaea
     
     
184. Brown Snake  ______   (Length: 9 to 18 inches)
     Storeia dekayi dekayi  Northern Brown Snake  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA
     Storeia dekayi victa  Florida Brown Snake  ______  FL
     
     
185. Red-bellied Snake ______  NC  NJ  SC  VA  (Length: 6.5 to 12 inches)
     Storeria occipitomaculata
     Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata  Northern Red-bellied Snake  ______  DE  MD  PA
     
     
186. Southeastern Crowned Snake ______ NC  SC  VA(local)  (Length: 8 to 12 inches)
     Tantilla coronata
     
     
187. Peninsula Crowned Snake  ______  FL
     Tantilla relicta relicta
     Tantilla relicta neilli  Central Florida Crowned Snake  ______  FL
     Tantilla relicta paralica  Coastal Dunes Crowned Snake  ______  FL
     
     
188. Rim Rock Crowned Snake  ______  FL
     Tantilla oolitica
     
     
189. Garter Snake  (ph) (*)  ______  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 18 to 42 inches)
     Thamnophis sirtalis 
     Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis  Eastern Garter Snake   ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA
     Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus  Maritime Garter Snake  ______  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     Two photographs of the Eastern Garter Snake
     (above photo by Doris Potter; lower photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
190. Shorthead Garter Snake  ______  PA  (Length: 14 to 18 inches)
     Thamnophis brachystoma
     
     
191. Common Ribbon Snake ______  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 18 to 38 inches) 
     Thamnophis sauritus  
     Thamnophis sauritus sauritus  Eastern Ribbon Snake  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA
     Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis  Northern Ribbon Snake  ______  
     Thamnophis sauritus sackenii  Peninsula Ribbon Snake  ______  FL
     Thamnophis sauritus nitae  Bluestripe Ribbon Snake  ______  
      
     
192. Rough Earth Snake ______  NC  SC  VA(southeast)  (Length: 7 to 12.5 inches)
     Virginia striatula
     
     
193. Eastern Smooth Earth Snake ______  NC  SC  VA  (Length: 7 to 13 inches)
     Virginia valeriae 
     Virginia valeriae valeriae  ______  DE  MD  NJ  PA
     
     
     Family ELAPIDAE 
     
     
194. Eastern Coral Snake  ______  FL  NC(south)  SC  (venomous)  (Length: 20 to 35 inches)
     Micrurus fulvius fulvius
     
     
     Family VIPERIDAE
     
     
195. Copperhead ______   (venomous)  (species described by Linnaeus in 1766)  (Length: 24 to 45 inches)
     Agkistrodon contortrix
     Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen  Northern Copperhead  ______  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix  Southern Copperhead  ______  FL  NC  SC
     
     Intergrades of the Northern and Southern Copperheads are often lighter-colored (sometimes pinkish) and have narrower crossbands, thus causing some confusion with some nonvenomous snakes with boldly-patterned backs such as the Corn Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, and Milk Snake, 
     
     
196. Cottonmouth  (ph) (*)  ______   (venomous)  (Length: 30 to 71 inches)
     Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus  Eastern Cottonmouth  ______  NC   SC  VA(southeast)
     Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti  Florida Cottonmouth  ______  FL
     
     
     
     Cottonmouth, showing the open white mouth
     (photo courtesy of Michael Christopher)
     
     
197. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake  ______  NC  SC  (venomous)  (Length: 42 to 78 inches)
     Crotalus adamanteus
     
     
198. Timber Rattlesnake  (ph) (*)   _____  MD  NC  NJ  PA  SC  VA  (venomous)  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)  (Length: 36 to 72 inches)
     Crotalus horridus
     
     In the Carolinas, Crotalus horridus is also called the "Canebrake Rattlesnake". 
     
     Crotalus horridus is classified as endangered in New Jersey.
     
     
     
     Timber Rattlesnake
     (photo by Fred Lesser)
     
     
199. Pygmy Rattlesnake  ______   (venonmous)  (Length: 15 to 26 inches)
     Sistrurus m. miliarius  Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake  ______  NC  SC
     Sistrurus miliarius barbouri  Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake  ______  FL
     
     
200. Eastern Massasauga  ______  (Length: 20 to 30 inches)
     Sistrurus catenatus catenatus  ______  PA
     
     Sistrurus catenatus catenatus is classified as endangered in Pennsylvania.