Another page that will be under construction for the rest of my life!!  I’m hoping my Amphibian list will get longer.  I’m learning the frog and toad calls so if I can’t see the little guys I can at least know they are there by their song.

References for information on these “herptiles.”

Reptiles

Brown Snake or DeKay’s Snake — Storeria dekayi
Bullsnake — Pituophis melanoleucus
Common Garter Snake — Thamnophis sirtalis
Eastern Plains Garter Snake — Thamnophis radix
Western Fox Snake — Elaphe vulpine

Some interesting reptile facts:

• Non-venomous snakes have a pointed tail!!
• Snakes do not have eyelids or ear openings
• Wisconsin snakes are usually active between April and October
• Shedding is triggered by growth and scale wear. Their vision is impaired while shedding and can be more irritable during this process.
• Their tongue is their primary means of locating food
• All snakes are carnivores
• After feeding, snakes will “yawn;’ this realigns their jawbones.
• Loss of prairie habitat makes maintaining and growing snake populations difficult

Amphibians

Eastern American Toad —Bufo americanus
Eastern Gray Treefrog — Hyla versicolor
Green Frog — Rana Clamitans melanota
Northern Spring Peeper — Pseudacris crucifer
Pickerel Frog – Rana palustris
Western Chorus Frog — Pseudacris triseriata

Some interesting amphibian facts:

• Wisconsin has 12 frog species; all are mostly nocturnal
• Amphibians shed their skin periodically. It is based on season, climate, and food supply. Many eat their shed skins for their nutrients.
• To avoid predation, their best defense is to remain undetected.
• Toads emit a burning sensation and puff up their bodies, making it difficult to swallow.
• They overwinter by producing a glycol-like fluid that allows their body fluid to freeze but not the cells.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation is the cause for population declines.
• Frogs and salamanders are indicators of environmental conditions because their skins are vulnerable to pollutants.
• Amphibs offer a number of benefits, from high-quality food for other “critters” to skin secretions that are used for medicinal purposes.

Other information of note:

Madison Audubon has a great CD of Wisconsin frog songs for sale. It’s easy to learn their songs. Contact them at info@madisonaudubon.org

If you like citizen science projects, there is a opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin Frog & Toad Survey. This is a website packed with good information on toads and frogs.