Fowler's Toad (Bufo woodhousii)

In our last expedition out into the field we visited Indian Creek where we were able to find a brand new herp, the Fowler's Toad (Bufo woodhousii).  It was found in a small fairly non-moving tributary of the main creek.  The specimen was about 1 1/2" long meaning it still has some growing up to do since the Fowler's toad can grow to be 2-3" in length.

There are four main characteristics of this toad that helped us to identify it in the field.  First in its large black spots there are at least three warts.  Second its belly is usually unspotted.  Third it has no enlarged warts on the tibia.  Finally its parotoid gland touches the cranial ridge.  Usually at least three of these factors can be seen and will help to correctly identify this species.

The Fowler's toad ranges from Alabama and Georgia and up as far north as Michigan and across the US into Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Therefore this toad can be found anywhere in Ohio.  The habitat in which it normally lives are andy areas, around lakes or in river valleys where we found our specimen.  Overall it was very exciting to have such a cool new find on our last day of herping as a class.  -Roland T. Lefebvre

Nerodia sipedon

The first snake we found was the northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon. This one was caught by Andrew. I caught one too, but it was much smaller and not very impressive looking. These guys were plentiful under rocks and were the most common snake we saw. N. sipedon are often mistaken for water moccasins, which are very poisonous. Water snakes are not venomous, but are very bitey and will try to bite you if you do not grip them behind their head.

This one was exceptionally large. Most of the Nerodia sipedon that we found would fit in the palm of your hand: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/cynthia_parr/watersnake.jpg/medium.jpg

"This resource may not be downloaded and used without permission of the copyright holder except for educational fair use."

I believe this is educational and fair usage.

-BL

Chelydra serpentina

This sucker is Chelydra serpentina. Since no one has yet to blog about him, I will take that chance. Snapping turtles are not social creatures and are vicious when out of their element (like when Morgan is holding it by its shell on its side). They tend to snap their sharp beaks and can reach a fair distance to the side... Further than one may think at first.
However, they are docile when back in water. Snapping turtles like to be in brackish, muddy water where they can dig in and ambush their prey. They are not an endangered species, but are occasionally run over by cars while searching for new nesting sites.

This one was found in a turtle trap set up by Andrew Tucker and Michelle Boone in the pond just outside Formal Gardens in Oxford, OH.

-BL

This is an apparently rare longtail salamander, Eurycea longicauda that Dr. Boone found today on our last field trip. The tail is almost half of the total body length. We found this guy under a rock along one of our fast flowing creeks. We usually only find red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) in this area, as they are much more common. We also came across some really great salamander egg masses, which someone else will hopefully post.
-Dominique Wagner

SC mystery herp #11

Hey SC herpers - Anybody want to comment on this "find" from our aquarium field trip?
-AW

SC aquarium

Our class and Rosie at the conclusion of our aquarium visit.

Terrapin field trip

SC herpers in front of beautiful Charleston Harbor (where the terrapins were supposed to be). Despite only catching one terrapin, most students were in good enough spirits to pose as their favorite herp!