Reptiles and Amphibians - A Golden Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians - A Golden Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians - A Golden Guide
$.5
KLLL3N
NbMN3
Complete your collection of
Colden Guides and Colden Field Guides!
Some titles may be temporarily unavailable at local retailers. To
order, send check or money order to Dept. M, Western Publishing
Company, Inc., 1220Mound Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin 530.
bC5ulClOmcudC3!.QClOldCllOcOvClQO5lgCDdhDdtDg.
LLlLL LL!LLb: t2.uS
LLlLL |ILlLLLILLb soitcove, t6.u,aatdcove,tuu
COLDEN GUIDES
BIRDS BUTIERFLIES AND MOTHS CACTI
CASINO GAMES FAMILIES OF BIRDS FISHES
FISHING FLOWERS FOSSILS GEOLOGY
HERBS AND SPICES INDIAN ARTS INSECT PESTS
INSECTS MAMMALS NONFLOWERING PLANTS ORCHIDS
POND LIFE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
ROCKS AND MINERALS
SEASHELLS OF THE WORLD
SEASHORES SKY OBSERVER'S GUIDE
SPIDERS AND THEIR KIN
STARS TREES TROPICAL FISH
WEATHER WEEDS
LLLLLPLLLLLLLb
AMPHIBIANS OF NORTH AMERICA
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA
REPTILES OF NORTH AMERICA
ROCKS AND MINERALS
SEASHELLS OF NORTH AMERICA
SKYGUIDE
TREES OF NORTH AMERICA
Golden", A Golden Guide, and Golden Press"
are trademarks of Western Publishing Company, Inc.
5?EC1E5 1N FU11 CO1OR
E382&M
T
WM
A GUIDE L FAm!1!AR AmERICAM 5PEC1E5
by
HERBERT S. N, Ph.D., Sc.D.
ond
HOBART N SMI TH, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology
University of Colorado, Boulder
I LLUSTRATED BY JAMES GORDON I RVI NG
22
( pl astron) i s narrow and short, al
most l i ke that of Snappi ng Turtl es .
The Mus k Turt l e has a strong
odor . Two s peci es occu r; t he com
moner, shown above, has two l i ght
stri pes on each side of i ts head.
COMMON MUD TURTLf
MUD TURTLES, fi ve speci es of t hem, l i ve a bout the
s ame as Mus k Turt l es. They are aquat i c, feedi ng on
l arvae of water i nsects and s mal l water ani mal s.
Noti ce t hat the pl astron i s much wi der i n the Mud Tur-
tl e and i s al l scal y. Bot h ends are hi nged, so that the
Mud Turtl e can pul l the pl astron i n,
mon i n the Southeast.
23
COMMON SNAPPER and i ts gi ant rel ati ve [ see p. 25|
ar e danger ous. Thei r l ong necks, powerful j aws, and
vi ci ous tempers make them unsafe to handl e. Hol d
them wel l away from you. Snappers are aquati c, pre
ferri ng qui et, muddy water . They eat fsh and some
24
ti mes waterfowl . Noti ce the sharp
l y toothed rear edge of the rough
c ar a pace, whi ch i s oft en coated
wi t h gr een al gae. The pl astron is
s mal l . Adul ts, 1 8 i n. or more,
wei gh 20 to 35 l b.
ALLIGATOR SNAPPER is the l argest fresh-water tur
tl e, reachi ng a l ength of 30 i n . and a wei ght of cl ose
to 1 50 l b. Ent i r el y aquati c, i t l i es on the muddy bot
tom, i ts huge mout h agape, wi ggl i ng i ts pi n k, worm
l i ke tongue to attract an unwary fsh. I ts powerful jaws
can mai m a hand or foot. I t difers
from the Common Snapper in hav
i ng three hi gh ri dges or keel s on i ts
back. Speci mens are reported to
have l i ved 50 to 60 years and more
in zoos.
25
SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE
SOFT-SHELLED TURTLES have, in fact, a hard shel l ,
but i t i s soft- edged and l acks hor ny scal es. Thes e tur
tl es can pul l i n head and l i mbs for protecti on neverthe
l ess. Of two speci es, one has smal l bumps or tubercl es
al ong the front edge of the car apace; the other does
not. Both have l ong necks, sharp
beaks, vi ci ous tempers . Handl e
them by rear of shel l . These turtl es
gr ow to a l engt h of about 1 8 i n.
and wei gh u p to 35 l b. They are
excel l ent eati ng.
TORTOI SES T GOPHER TURTLES are l and turtl es
wi th bl u nt, c l u b- s haped feet very di ffer ent from the
webbed feet of aqu at i c s peci es. Thei r di et i nc l udes
much pl ant materi al as wel l as i nsects and s mal l ani
mal s. Our t hr ee s peci es , whi ch di ffer onl y i n mi nor
ways, are rel ated t o the Gi ant Tor
toi ses of the Gal apagos I sl ands,
l argest and ol dest of l and turtl es.
The r el at i vel y hi gh, arc hed cara
pace and the habi t of di ggi ng deep
burrows are characteri sti c.
27
28
SLIDERS are a common gr oup of fou r s peci es . The
car a pace i s u s u al l y s moot h and fai r l y fat , t he rear
edge roughl y toothed. The carapace of the Fl ori da and
Al abama Sl i ders arches hi gher than t he car apace of
others. The ol i ve-brown shel l s and ski ns of Sl i ders are
spl otched wi th red and yel l ow. The Elegant Sl i der has
a di st i ncti ve das h of red behi nd t he eye. The mal es,
much darker than femal es, were once mi staken for di f
fer ent s peci es. Wi t h t he extra-l ong toenai l s on t hei r
fr ont feet t hey s ee m t o ti c kl e or gent l y s cr at ch t he
femal e' s head duri ng courts hi p. The femal e l ater di gs
a hol e near t he s hore and deposi ts a bout 1 0 eggs,
whi ch she covers wi th di rt.
Al l Sl i ders prefer the qui et waters of ri vers and
ponds. On war m days they may be found s unni ng on
l ogs or debr i s . They are one of the commonest turtl es
of the Mi ssissi ppi and i ts tri butar i es. Of al l young tur
tl es sol d in pet shops, Sl i ders are
commonest. They make good pets,
l i ve l ong, an d grow to about 1 f.
Pai nti ng t hei r s hel l s defor ms and
may fnal l y ki l l t hem.
SAW-TOOTHED SLIDER i s al s o cal l ed t he Hi ero
gl yphi c Turtl e because the marki ngs on i ts shel l and s ki n
r esembl e anci ent wri ti ng. I t i s a typi cal Sl i der wi th a
dar k, fattened car apace, 1 0 to 1 2 i n. l ong, marked
wi th yel l ow. The pl astron i s yel l ow wi th dark marki ngs.
30
Li ke other Sl i der s thi s one feeds on
s mal l wat er ani mal s , i ns ects, and
eve n dead f i s h; it al s o eat s s ome
water pl ants. I n the vari ous parts of
the South, Sl i ders ar e pr i zed for
thei r fl avor.
CHICKEN TURTLE i s s o cal l ed becaus e it i s l ocal l y
eaten des pi te i ts si ze ( 5 to 8 i n. | . The browni s h cara
pace has s hal l ow fu rrows, a s mooth rear edge, and
thi n yel l ow l i nes. I t i s hi gher and narrower than that of
Sl i ders. The pl astron i s yel l ow, as are t he unders i des
of head and l i mbs, whi ch have thi n,
dar k stri pes. Chi cken Turt l es have
very l ong necks. They prefer di tches
and ponds to r i ver s. More pugna
ci ous t han Sl i der s, they do not
make as good pets.
3 1
PAI NTED TURTLES ar e per haps t he most common
an d wi des pread of t urtl es. They ar e found wherever
th er e are ponds , s wa mps , di t ches, or s l ow streams.
These s mal l ( 5 to 6 i n . ) t urtl es spend much of t hei r ti me
i n or near water, feedi ng on water pl ants, i nsects, and
other smal l ani mal s. They are al so scavengers. I n sum
mer, Pai nted Turtl es gather together, and i f one ap
proaches qui etl y, they may be seen s unni ng on l ogs,
rocks, or even fl oati ng water pl ants. Mal es are si mi l ar
MISSISSIPPI PAINTED TURTLf WESTERN PAINTED TURTLE
32
to the femal es but smal l er, wi th the same l ong nai l s on
t hei r forefeet t hat Sl i ders have. Femal es l ay 6 to 1 2
whi te eggs i n a hol e t hat they have du g l abori ousl y
wi th t hei r hi nd l egs i n t he s oi l . The eggs may hatch i n
two or three mont hs, though some young do not
emerge ti l l t he fol l owi ng s pr i ng. Pai nted Turtl es may
be easi l y i dent i f i ed by t hei r br oad, dar k, f l attened,
s mooth-edged shel l s. The margin of the carapace i s
marked wi th red; so i s the yel l ow-streaked ski n, espe
ci al l y on head and l i mbs. The pl astron i s yel l ow, some
ti mes bei ng ti nted wi th red. I n al l four s ubs peci es of
Pai nted Turt l es the upper j aw i s notched i n front. The
notch has a s mal l proj ecti on on each si de. Mar ki ngs and
detai l s of car apace and pl astron di fer fr om s ubs pe
ci es to s u bspeci es. Pai nted Tu rtl es
are shy and are not easil y captured.
They make good pets but must be
fed in water. You ng Pai nted Turtl es
wi l l attack fi s h i f they are put i n an
aquari u m wi th them.
33
FALSE MAP TURTLE
MAP TURTLES are aquati c turtl es often found in l arge
n u mbers i n ponds, swa mps, and qui et strea ms . They
are even more ti mi d than Painted Turtl es. Dozens may
be s unni ng on a l og, but at the l east di st ur bi ng noi se
they i nstant l y drop back i nto t he water. li ke Sl i ders,
t hese turt l es are captu red and s ol d for food. Of the
fi ve s peci es , the Fal s e Ma p Turtl e i s r eport ed better
eati ng. The young of both make fai r pets, feedi ng on
chopped meat and earthwor ms. At ful l growth they are
9 to 1 2 i n. l ong. Adul ts, havi ng strong j aws, feed on
34
s nai l s , c l ams , i nsect s, an d ot her water ani mal s . The
femal e, comi ng ashore bri efl y i n earl y s ummer to l ay
1 0 to 1 6 whi te eggs , retur ns to the water as soon as
t he eggs are bur i ed. Map t urtl es are n amed for the
fai nt, yel l ow patter n on t he car apace. The li nes are
bri ghter on the head and l i mbs. The
keel ed carapace and i ts roughl y
mar ks. Mal es , s mal l er t han fe-
Commoo
mal es, may be weaker, more ti mi d. _
35
BLANDING TURTLE wi th its hi nged pl astron some
what r ese mbl es the Box Turtl e, but c an n ot cl os e i ts
shel l ti ghtl y. It has webbed feet and l acks the hooked
bi l l of the Box Turtl e. The pl astron is notched at the
back. Bl andi ng Turtl e, 7 to 8 i n. l ong, prefers water,
but it al so l ives in marshes, where
i t feeds on i nsects, wor ms, and
vari ous pl ants. Thi s shy turtl e tames
easi l y and wi l l make a good pet i f
kept i n a l ar ge, s h al l ow pan of
water.
36
TERRAPIN, often cal l ed Di amondback because of
the angul ar r i ngs on the carapace pl ate, i s the best
known eati n g turtl e. It is r ai sed on t urt l e f ar ms, and
8- i n. s peci mens sel l for as hi gh as $1 0. Young ar e pro
tected by l aw i n Maryl and and North Carol i na. These
t urt l es of br acki s h wat er an d t i de-
wat er streams have webbed feet.
The carapace i s dul l ol i ve, the pl as
tron yel l ow. Marki ngs vary. Femal es
are l arger . Food: s mal l s hel l fi sh,
crabs, worms, pl ants.
37
EASTERN BOX TURTLE
BOX TURTLES are l and speci es, occasi onal l y found i n
or near water, though t hey are wel l adapted for l i fe
on l and. They prefer moi st, open woods or s wamps
an d feed on i nsect s, earth wor ms , s nai l s , f r ui ts , and
berri es. Box Turtl es have a hi nged pl astron whi ch they
pul l ti ght against the carapace for compl ete protecti on
when t hey ar e fri ghtened. The car a pace, 4 to 5 i n.
l ong, i s hi ghl y ar ched. Of the two speci es of Box Tur
tl es, Eastern and Wester n, the for mer is di vi ded i nto
several s ubspeci es, di sti ngui shed by the s hape and
marki ngs on the shel l s and by the number of toes
EASTERN BOX TURTLE
( three or four ) on the hi nd feet. The pl astron of the fe
mal e is us ual l y fl at; t hat of the mal e, curved i nward.
Mal es have l onger tai l s , an d t he eye of t he mal e i s
us ual l y br i g ht r ed . The fe mal e h as dar k r eddi s h or
brown eyes. I n ear l y summer the femal e buri es four or
fi ve round, whi te eggs i n a s unny spot. These hatch i n
a bout t hr ee mont hs. The young may h i ber nate soon
after, wi thout feedi ng. Young Box Turtl es grow ' / to
/ i n. yearl y for fi ve or s i x years; t hen they grow
sl ower-about '/: i n. a year . At 5 years they mate and
l ay eggs; at 20 t hey are ful l - grown, and t hey may l i ve
to be as old as 80. Box Turtl es have been reported l i v
i ng 25 years an d mor e i n ca pti vi ty. They make fi ne
pets and may be kept i n a fenced
40
makes an excel l ent, l ong-l i ved pet.
Feed i t meat, fi sh, and bi ts of
l et t u c e . Th e t ai l of t h e ma l e i s
about t wi ce as l ong as that of the
femal e.
PACIFIC TURTLE is rel ated and si mi l ar to the Eastern
Spotted Turtl e, but i s l ar ger -6 to 7 i n . The yel l ow
dots and streaks on the carapace are fai nt . The pl as
tron, concave on the mal e, i s yel l ow wi th dark patches
at the edges. Thi s i s the onl y fresh-water turtl e of the
far West. Li vi ng i n mountai n l akes
and i n s l ow stretches of st r eams,
Paci fi c Turtl es feed on smal l water
l i fe, i ncl udi ng some pl ants. They
make good pets .
1
MUHLENBERG TURTLE i s qui ckl
y i dent i fi ed
b
y t
he
l arge orange spot on each side of the head. The dark
carapace is short (3 to 4 in. ) and narrow, marked with
concent r i c
ri ngs
.
Thi
s t
u rt l
e is semi - aquatic
, l
i ving i n
swamps but returni ng to water when i n danger and
42
sometimes to feed. The male has
a l onger tai l . Once popul ar as an
excel l ent pet s peci es, i t i s now
federal l y protected throughout its
range; state regul ati ons al so l i mi t
possessi on without a permi t.
WOOD T URTLE i s recog ni zed easi l y by i ts br i ght,
orange- red ski n and its heavy, keel ed carapace with
deep concentri c grooves. Adults are to 9 i n. l ong.
They prefer moist woods, though they move i nto open
l and to feed and, when it i s dry, to swamps and i nto
ponds and sl ow streams. They make
:-----..
They hi ber nate from Oct. to May
_ "
to|led
~
oless
.
55
SWIFTS for m a l ar ge gr oup of c ommon l i zar ds, in
cl u di n g Fence, Spi ny, an d Scal y l i zar ds . Some 30
forms [ species and subs pecies | l ive in the United States,
al most t hree ti mes as many farther south. The l argest
have bodies about 5 i n. l ong, tai l s sl i ghtl y l onger. Al l
are acti ve i n dayl i ght, s pendi ng the ni ght i n cr acks,
crevices, or on br anches. Some s pecies l ay eggs;
ot her s bear 6 to you n g al i ve. Head, body, and
l i mb forms are guides to the entire Swift gr oup, once
you l earn them. These l izards l ack the ski n fol d across
56
the throat that Sand lizar ds ( p. 55) and s i mil ar s pe
ci es have. Some Swi fts are bl ue or bl ue- patched on
the undersi des; t hi s is more pronounced in mal es. De
tai l ed i dentification may be di fficul t. Swifts, good
cl imbers, are often found in trees, on boul ders, among
rocks. True to thei r name, they are
hard to catch. Their food is mainl y
s mal l i nsects . They do wel l in cap-
tivity if given live food but are not
es peci al l y good pets .
57
DESERT HORNED LIZARD
HORMED Ll2ARD5 are unique. These odd, flattened
creatures are found only in the West and in Mexico.
The only other lizard like them is one in Australia.
Most have various-sized spines on the head which give
the group its name. Eight species are found in dry,
sandy areas, where they lie on rocks or half buried in
the sand. When an insect appears, a quick snap of
the lizard's tongue takes care of it. Some species lay
20 to 30 eggs; in others up to a dozen young are
born alive. In one species eggs hatch in only a few
hours; others take several weeks. These unusual liz
58
TEXAS HORNED LIZARD
ards may squirt a thin stream of blood from the corn
ers of their eyes when frightened. Some puff up when
angered; others flatten themselves out even more.
They are easily captured, can be safely handled, and
become tame. In captivity they will do well if given
live insects and moist leaves from
.
which they can lap up the water
they need. Ants are among their
favorite foods. These lizards must
be kept warm {at least 70 degrees)
or they will not eat.
59
OANn NIGHT LIZAID
60
A
SAND SKINK
SIX-LINED WHIPTAIL LIZARD
WHIPTAIL LIZARDS or Racer unners, a very di verse
group, gi ve the experts troubl e. One of the most com
mon and wi des pread i s the 6-l i ned speci es, somewhat
s ki nk- l i ke i n appear ance. I ts body l ength i s about 3 i n. ;
tai l at l east twi ce as l ong. These l i zar ds are found i n
many dry l ocal i ti es, feedi ng duri ng
the day on i nsects, worms, and
s nai l s . Other Whi ptai l s ar e check
ered or spotted. They are more
common i n the West.
ALLIGATOR LIZARDS, named for thei r s hape and
heavy scal es, are sl ow, dul l -col or ed, sol i tary, wi th a
banded or s peckl ed back. They ar e fai r l y l ar ge [1 0
i n. ) . Some speci es l ay eggs; i n others the 2 to 1 5 young
are born al i ve. They feed on i nsects and spi ders and,
i n turn, are the food of l arger rep
ti l es, mammal s, and bi r ds. Al l i ga
t or li zards do wel l i n capti vi ty, but
t hey fi g ht when sever al ar e i n a
cage together . Mal es may bi te
pai nful l y.
GLASS-SNAKE LIZARDS are of three cl osel y s i mi l ar
s peci es -l i mbl ess, somewhat snakel i ke, 2 to 3 ft. l ong.
Ear openi ngs , eyel i ds, and many rows of bel l y scal es
procl ai m t hem to be true l i zar ds. The very l ong tai l
breaks of mor e eas i l y t han that of other l i zards. I t may
break of when t he ani mal i s cap
tured or roughl y handl ed. The tai l ,
of course, cannot rej oi n t he body,
but a new, shorter tai l grows i n i ts
pl ace. These l i zards feed on i nsects .
They may bi te when handl ed.
67
WORM and FOOTLESS LIZARDS ar e two s mal l bur
rowi ng speci es. The former ( up to i n. l ong, onl y '/: i n.
thi ck) , found i n sandy s oi l of pi n e woods , h as di sti nct
ri ngs whi ch make it l ook much l i ke a l arge earthworm.
I t i s l i mbl ess, earl ess, and bl i nd. The Footl ess li zard of
ess
..
68
Cal i forni a, whi ch i s even s mal l er
( 6 i n. ) , has s mal l eyes but i s ear
l ess and l i mbl ess. Two forms occur,
one of whi ch i s s i l ver y , t he other
bl ac k. Thes e l i zar ds depend on
s mal l i nsects for thei r food.
GILA-MONSTER, our onl y poi sonous l i zard, grows up
t o 2 ft. l ong. The poi son, from modi fi ed sal i vary gl ands
i n the l ower j aw, i s not i nj ected and may n ot enter the
wound when the l i zard bi tes . Us ual l y sl ow and cl umsy,
Gi l a- monsters c an twi st t hei r heads , bi te s wi ftl y, a nd
h a n g on st r on gl y. Leave t h e m to
t he expert s . Gi l a- monst er s l i ve
73
74
RAINBOW SNAKE i s a handsome s peci es. Stri pes
vary from orange to red. The under si de i s red wi th a
doubl e row of bl ack s pots . Thi s s nake of swampy re
gi ons often burrows an d i s not commonl y s een . It i s
s mal l er ( 40 i n . ) t han t he cl os el y r el ated Mud Snake
( p. 75) and l i ke it has a sharp
" s pi ne" at the end of i ts tai l . li ttle
is known of i ts l i fe hi story and feed
i n g habi ts. The f emal e l ays 20 or
more eggs , whi ch hat ch i n a bout
60 days.
MUD SNAKES ( two s i mi l ar for ms) are the s ubj ect of
many s upersti ti ons . The s pi ke or sti nger on the tai l i s
s ai d to be poi s onous . Thi s s n ake, al s o c al l ed Hoop
Snake, i s s u pposed to gr as p i ts tai l i n i ts mouth and
rol l down the road. Such tal es about the har ml ess, at
tracti ve, smal l -headed Mud Snakes
are untrue. These burrowi ng swamp
snakes feed on fi sh and frogs, espe
ci al l y on Si r ens and Congo-eel s
( pp. 1 39- 1 40) . Length, 4 to 6 ft. ;
l ays 20 to 80 or more eggs.
75
` . '
"
#
Northern Southern Mississi ppi Pra
RING-NECKED SNAKES ( three speci es) are smal l ( 1 2
to 1 8 i n. ), common, attracti ve snakes l i vi ng in moi st
woods u nder r ocks or fal l en l ogs, wher e t hey feed on
s mal l i nsects and worms. They l ay eggs whi ch hatch i n
about two mont hs. Recogni ze these snakes by t hei r sl ate
gray col or and the yel l ow-to-orange
ri ng behi nd the head. The undersi de
i s yel l ow, orange, or red, someti mes
s potted. They may secrete a s mel l y
fui d when captured, but soon tame.
Capti ves eat poorl y.
GREEN SNAKES, sl ender and harml ess, l i ve in green
ery where they are har d to see. The s mal l er s peci es
( 1 5 to 1 8 i n . ) wi th s mooth scal es prefers open grassy
pl aces . The other, whi ch gr ows twi ce as l ong, has a
rough appearance due to a ri dge or keel on each scal e.
Often found i n bushes and vi nes,
th i s one feeds on i nsects. Eggs of
both speci es hatch i nto dark young
whi ch gradual l y turn green . Green
Snakes are doci l e, but as nei t her
*
eats wel l , they l angui sh in capti vi ty.
77
CONE-NOSED SNAKE
( Text OH page 80)
78
BLACK SWAMP SNAKE
to|led
Stt|ped
Swomp
SMALLER, LESS COMMON, HARMLESS SNAKES
( I l l ustrati ons on Pages 78 and 79)
CONE-NOSED SNAKES ( 1 0 to 1 2 i n. ) are two wood
l and s peci es al s o cal l ed Gr ound Snakes . Br owni s h or
gray a bove; s ome with s mal l bl ack dots. Food: smal l
i nsects and wor ms. Young are bor n al i ve.
SHORT-TAILED SNAKE ( 1 8 to 24 i n. ) i s l i ke a smal l
Red Ki ng Snake. An aggressi ve, burrowi ng, upl and
snake, i t ki l l s smal l prey, often other s nakes, by con
stri cti on. Tai l i s very short.
GROUND SNAKES ( 1 0 to 1 5 i n. ) are two s mal l banded
s peci es of vari abl e col or and pattern, s i mi l ar but not
rel ated to Sharp-tai l ed. Food: i nsects, s pi ders, etc.
SHOVEL- NOSED SNAKE ( 1 2 to 1 i n . ) i s a ground
snake ( two speci es) sl i ghtl y l arger t han Grou nd Snakes
and rel ated to them. Snout proj ecti ng but fattened. A
yel l owi sh, egg- l ayi ng sand burrower.
BLACK SWAMP SNAKE ( 1 2 to i n . ) i s thi ck
bodi ed, red-bel l i ed, swamp- l ovi ng. Bl ack bar on each
bel l y scal e. Young born al i ve. Food: probabl y fi sh, frogs.
STRIPED SWAMP SNAKE ( 1 8 to 24 i n . ) i s aquati c,
l i vi ng i n hol es and t unnel s al ong di tches and i n swamps.
Food: mai nl y crayfi sh and frogs . Young are born al i ve.
SHARP-TAILED SNAKE ( 1 2 to 1 6 i n . ) i s somewhat
stout. Li ttl e i s known of i ts habi ts. Note t he l i ght yel
l ow stri pe on si des, bl ack bands on yel l ow bel l y scal es.
SAND SNAKE |1 0 to 1 4 i n. ) i s a bu rrower i n desert
sands. Crawl s j ust bel ow the s urface, ai ded by a broad,
heavy s nout. Yel l ow to red, wi th dar k bands al most
enci rcl i ng body. Scal es s mal l an d s hi ny. Li fe hi story
l argel y unknown. Sai d to eat ant l arvae.
80
HOG-NOSED SNAKE is uni que
a nd amus i ng. When mol ested, i t
hi sses, s preads, and stri kes, as
t hough to appear danger ous, but
i t never bi tes. I f threats fai l , i t rol l s
over and pl ays dead. Becaus e of
its feroci ous puffi ng, t hi s har ml ess snake is someti mes
cal l ed Puff Adder . The hard, t ur ned- up nose hel ps i n
burrowi ng after toads, whi ch are t he preferred food of
these snakes, often maki ng up thei r enti re di et. The
Hog- nosed Snake l ays about two dozen eggs in s um
mer . They are gent l e s nakes and
do wel l i n capti vi ty, i f toads are
avai l abl e as food. Three si mi l ar
speci es, al l heavi l y bui l t. Common
Hog-nosed Snake, 2 to 3 ft. l ong,
i s the l argest.
FANGED NIGHT SNAKE
westeo
oos-oosed
vae
oj
locs-
j ( Text OH
Page 84)
ted
82
BLACK
STRIPED
SNAKE
Jexos
( Text OH Page 84)
o ose
83
84
OTHER LESS COMMON SNAKES
( I l l ustrations on Pages 82-83)
VINE SNAKE * ( to < ft. or mor e) i s a
bush-dwel l er of semi - ar i d r egi ons, very
sl ender . Longer, narrower head t han other
Amer i can snakes. Reddi s h- br own; whi te
l i ne down bel l y. Food: l i zards.
WESTERN HOOK-NOSED SNAKE i s a
bl otched, egg- l ayi ng burrower resembl i ng a
mi ni ature Hog- nosed Snake ( 1 0 to 1 2 i n . ) but i s not ki n.
FANGED NIGHT SNAKE * ( to 30 i n . ) , wi de- headed,
s l ender, i s an egg- l ayer. I t feeds on both i nvertebrates
and smal l vertebrates. Often found i n trees and bushes.
FLAT-HEADED SNAKES* ( 1 2 to 1 4 i n . ) are a l arge
group of secreti ve or burrowi ng, egg- l ayi ng s peci es.
Al l but one have a bl ack head cap.
YELLOW-LIPPED SNAKE ( 1 2 t o 1 6 i n. ) has a yel l ow
upper l i p. Back reddi sh- brown, bel l y yel l ow. An egg
l ayer of swamps, found under l ogs and debr i s. Food:
frogs, toads, i nsects.
TEXAS HOOK-NOSED SNAKE ( 1 0 to 1 2 i n. ) , re
l ated to the Western, is sub-tropi cal , wi th a l arger
s hovel - snout than the Western but wi th s i mi l ar habi ts.
Ashy gray wi th gray and bl ack cross bands.
WORM SNAKE ( 1 0 to 1 3 i n. ), wi del y occurri ng, i s a
burrower, rarel y seen. Shi ny, smooth scal es. An egg
l ayer; feeds on earthworms. Found i n woods.
BLACK-STRIPED SNAKE* ( 1 6 to 20 i n . ) i s a ni ght
s nake. Feeds on frogs, toads, l i zar ds . An egg- l ayer
and ground-dwel l er. Rare; more common i n tropi cal
Ameri ca.
Species with weak venom and smal l , fxed, grooved fangs i n rear of
upper jaw.
RACERS are aggressi ve and graceful . Easter n forms,
averagi ng 4 ft . , are s mooth, bl ue-bl ack, wi th whi te chi n
and throat. Wester n form, s mal l er, i s greeni s h or yel
l owi sh brown, bel l y and chi n l i ghter. Both are very ac
ti ve, at home i n bushes and trees. Food: s mal l mam
mal s, bi r ds, i nsects, frogs, l i zards, other snakes. Tropi c
Racer, speckl ed, occurs onl y i n southern t i p of Texas.
.
_
bl ue
~.
c|ocs
85
COACHWHIP and WHIPSNAKES are cl osel y re
l ated to the Racers, but thi nner and l onger. Those i l l us
trated represent two grou ps-one typi cal of the East,
on e of t he West . The for mer ar e a var i abl e br own
( some are red or pi nki sh) , darker at the head, becom
i ng l i ghter toward the tai l . Coachwhi p i s the l argest of
the group; some over 7 ft. l ong have been r eported.
Western speci es are usual l y 4 to 5 ft. l ong. These are
typi cal l y stri ped wi t h yel l ow on t he s i des agai nst a
dark back; the bel l y is usual l y l i ghter. Several of these
are desert forms, but al l are acti ve duri ng the day.
86
Al l are al ert and fast. They feed on mi ce, l i zards, and
s mal l s nakes, movi ng r api dl y over sand or through
brush after thei r prey. They do not ki l l by constri cti on,
as
Snake are reported to tame better,
make better pets than other mem-
bers of the gr oup.
93
INDIGO SNAKES 8 ft. l on g h ave been r eport ed.
Thus t hey are among t he l argest North Ameri can
s nakes. Rel ated South Ameri can forms are even l arger.
Thi s heavy, handsome, shi ny, mi dni ght- bl ue, fast racer
feeds on s mal l mammal s and other snakes. I t i s often
94
fo u n d i n bu r r ows of go ph er s or
r abbi t s. The I ndi go Sn a ke ta mes
easi l y i n capti vi ty, and does wel l i f
i t can be made to eat. Thi s i s the
har ml ess s nake that "s nake charm
ers" at t he ci r cus often handl e.
GLOSSY M FADED SNAKE i s rel ated and s omewhat
si mi l ar to the Bul l Snakes ( p. 96) . I t has smooth scal es,
whi l e Bul l Snakes are keel ed. These smooth, shi ny
scal es are respons i bl e for the Gl ossy Snake' s common
name. Bl otched, spotted, and gray-brown, these snakes
are sl ender, wi th narrow heads.
-
They are c onst r i ct or s, f eedi n g on
l i zar ds , rodent s , a n d ot h er s mal l
ani mal s . They l ay eggs and are
noctu rnal . Adul ts average 30 to 36
i n. l ong.
95
PINE SNAKE
BULL SNAKES are found from coast to coast. These
l ar ge, heavy s nakes average 5 ft. l ong and grow up
t o 7 ft. They are the most common constri ctors, wi del y
known as destroyers of r odent s. Bul l Snakes have a
heavy nose pl ate, adapted for burrowi ng. Al l hi ss very
l oudl y when anger ed and wi l l str i ke to defend them
sel ves. But they tame down when captured ( especi al l y
the western forms), and some make excel l ent pets . The
Pi ne Snake i s an eastern for m of the Bul l Snake, named
for i ts favori te habi tat-southern pi ne woods . I t i s rel a
t i vel y l i ght-col ored wi t h l ar ge bl ack patches on the
back. I ts food i s s mal l r abbi ts, s qui rrel s, rats, and mi ce.
Fart her west , t he Bu l l Sn ake i s more c ommon . It i s
more yel l owi sh t han the Pi ne Snake and has a l arger
n umber of dark bl otches. loften enters burrows to ki l l
and feed on pocket gopher s and gr ound s qui rrel s . The
Paci fi c Coast forms, known as Gopher Snakes are si mi -
l ar to the B u l l Sn a k e but s mal l er
~
and wi th more bl otches. Al l s nakes
Scarl et Ki ng Snake-yel l ow bands
bordered by narrow bl ack bands.
But the bands do not enci rcl e the
~. bel l y. Coral Snake ( p. 1 08) has
bl ack bands bordered by yel l ow.
1 00
LONG-NOSED SNAKE ( 2 to 3 ft. ) does not have a
l ong nose. Probabl y a bu rrower, it may be ai ded by
its smal l , narrow head. Most have been caught at
ni ght. It is sai d to feed on l i zar ds, snakes, and s mal l
mammal s . Dar k pat ches on t he back are br oken by
ban ds of r ed, wh i t e, or yel l ow.
General l y speckl ed, the col or i s
var i abl e; bel l y l i g hter wi th a few
dark spots. Thi s i s the onl y harm
l ess snake wi th a s i ngl e row of
scal es under the tai l .
1 01
WATER SNAKES are chi efy eastern s peci es ( ni ne) of
l akes an d ri vers . They s how l i ttl e exter nal adaptati on
to water l i fe but are act ual l y fi ne s u rface a n d u n der
water swi mmers. They seek water when mol ested and
t here fi nd t hei r food, mai nl y fi s h and frogs . Heavi l y
bui l t, wi th s hort, narrow tai l s , they are har ml ess and
s houl d not be conf used wi th t he venomous sout hern
Cottonmout h. However, Water Snakes ar e us ual l y
vi ci ous; they do not ta me or become good pets . The
r ear of the c ommon Wat er Snake ( 3 0 i n . ) i s cr oss
banded, wi th reddi sh- brown . Toward the head these
1 02
DIAMOND-BACKED
WATER SNAKE
bands become l arge bl otches. Di amond-backed Water
Snake i s l arger ( 31h to 5 ft. ) and darker. Its dark
bl otches are reduced to di amonds over the backbone.
Pai nted Water Snake ( 3 to 51h ft. ) i s dark above, wi th
a yel l ow or reddi s h bel l y. Green Water Snake (3 to
51h ft. ) i s a dul l ol i ve green wi th a
vague, barred patter n. Col or and
*
* *
patt er n are cl earest i n young
ommo
Water Snakes. Al l speci es get
dar ker as t hey gr ow ol der . As
-_ Qioe
many as 99 young are born al i ve.
1 03
PLAINS GARTER SNAKE
GARTER SNAKES and thei r ki n are perhaps more
common and better known than any other snake.
These 1 1 s mal l [1 8 to 44 i n. ) , stri ped s peci es wi th
keel ed scal es, rel ated to Water Snakes, have si mi l ar
habi t s. li ke Wat er Sna kes t hey ej ect an u n pl eas ant
1 04
, fl ui d from vent gl ands when cap
tured . Garter Sna kes feed on
frogs , toads , earthwor ms . Young
are bor n al i ve i n s u mme r -20 or
mor e at a ti me. Mos t Garter
Snakes, fai r l y doci l e, do wel l i n capti vi ty. Common
Garter Snake, more aggressi ve than others, i s marked
by three yel l owi sh stri pes; the dark area between is
s potted. Some Garter Snakes have onl y two stri pes.
The cent er st r i pe of Pl ai ns Garter Snake i s often a r i ch
orange; the bel l y i s darker than i n common Garter
Snake. The western speci es, wi th central stri pe bri ghter
than t he si de ones, i s darker, but wi t h l i ght scal es near
the mout h. Ri bbon Snake i s t hi n ner, s mal l er, wi t h yel
l ow or red stri pes agai nst br own scal es . I ts tai l i s
near l y a thi r d of the body l ength
SMALL STRIPED SNAKES ar e c ommon but i n con
spi cuous. Li ned Snake ( 1 2 t o 20 i n. ) i s a mi ni ature
Garter Snake wi th a yel l ow stri pe down i ts back, bl ack
dots on t he bel l y. The next two are rel ated to Water
Snakes . DeKay Snake ( 1 0 to 1 6 i n . ) i s a br owni sh,
secreti ve, burrowi ng speci es, com-
_
_ _ _ _ _+ -- -+
mon even near ci ti es. The bel l y i s
--+*
yel l ow to pi nk, wi th bl ack dots at
'
, ,
si des. Red-bel l i ed Snake ( 1 0 to 1 4
i n . ) i s s i mi l ar, but wi t h r ed bel l y
0eK
o
/
' and yel l ow spots at back of head.
1 06
FANGLESS NIGHT SNAKE and LYRE SNAKE are
mi l dl y poi s on ou s . The for mer ( 1 5 i n . ) h as enl ar ged
teeth i n t he r ear of i ts j aws , not t r ue fangs . When i t
bi tes l i zar ds , i ts s al i va seems poi sonous . Lyre Snake
( 3 ft. ) is a rear-fanged poi sonous s nake ( three speci es)
wi th grooved fangs. I ts poi son seems
h ar ml ess to man . The rel ati vel y * *** *
1 07
CORAL SNAKES, rel ated to Cobras, are hi ghl y
poi sonous. Our t wo s peci es have red, yel l ow, and
bl ack ri ngs , t he l atter bor der ed by yel l ow. Common
Coral Sn ake ( 3 0 t o 39 i n . ) h as bl ac k, yel l ow, and
bl ack from nose to back of head. Secreti ve and bur-
rowi ng, it feeds mai nl y on l i zards
an d other s nakes. Western Coral
Snake, s mal l er ( 1 8 i n. ) , of l i mi ted
r ange but s i mi l ar habi ts, has bl ack,
yel l ow, and red s uccessi vel y on
head and neck.
COPPERHEAD and COTTONMOUTH, poi sonous pi t
vi pers, di ffer l i ttl e from rattl ers. Pi ts between eye and
nostri l , sensi ti ve to heat, hel p t hem f i nd and stri ke at
warm- bl ooded pr ey. Copper heads ( 30 to 50 i n . ) are
upl and s nakes, wi th coppery head and "hour gl ass"
body pat ches . Cott on mout h or
Water Moccasi n ( 40 to 58 i n. ) ,
l ar ger, heavi er, and mor e vi ci ous,
i s a swa mp s nake feedi ng on fi sh
and frogs . I t i s dar k, not strongl y
mar ked. Bot h bear l i ve young.
1 09
MASSASAUGA and PIGMY RATTLERS, very si mi
l ar to t hei r l arger rel at i ves, do not have s mal l scal es
on the t op of the head. They are s mal l , hence rel a
ti vel y l ess dangerous. The Massasauga ( 2 to Yz ft. ) , a
swamp Rattl er, does not stri ke unl ess much annoyed.
1 1 0
The southern Pi gmy Rattl ers, al so
: ----
cal l ed Ground Rattl ers, are smal l er
( 1 8 to 24 i n . ) and prefer upl and
Vossox o
.
P
.
t erram. Though s mal l er , t hey are
| gmy
or||et not mi l d-tempered, but ratt l e and
stri ke when approached.
Cross Section
of RaHie
Button Young Older Adult Old Adult
RATTLESNAKES Rattl er s ( 1 3 speci es) are t ypi cal l y
Ameri can. Most ki nds are found i n the West, two i n the
East. Ti mber Rattl er ( 3 12 to 6 ft . ) i s a woodl and s pe
ci es, yel l owi s h wi th dar k, -s haped bands and dark
tai l . Eastern Di amondback, or Fl or i da Rattl er, named
for t he dorsal pattern, i s our l argest poi sonous s nake,
averagi ng 5 ft. ( record near l y 9 ft. ) . Westward i s
Pr ai r i e Rattl er, varyi ng i n s i ze ( 2 12 to 5 ft . ) an d col or,
typi cal l y gr eeni sh yel l ow wi th darker bl otches . West
ern Di amondback, or Texas Rattl er, smal l er [ 4'/ to
ll2 ft. ) , of rocky hi l l si des a nd open deserts, i s brown
wi th a l i ghter bor der , general col or bei ng gray. Red
Rattl er, s i mi l ar to Texas, has reddi sh ground col or.
i n . ) , wi th er ect, hor ny scal es over
" "*
h I k I d I
Praorie att e
Strongest i s Si dewi nder ( 1 8 to 30
t e eyes, str ong y ee e sea es,
and a rapi d, si dewi se moti on over
r
Ti mber
s and. The Rattl er ' s rattl e, a horny
Rattler
struct ur e, gai ns a s egment each
ti me t he s nake s heds; i t hel ps tel l
age.
Rattl ers are nerv
ous, aggre
s
-
*
"
* "
c| hc
w- | | oj
..
l 27
SPRING
PEEPER
TREE FROGS M HYLAS, a l arge
fami l y of amphi bi ans, ar e rel ated to
the toads but smal l er ( most ar e 3. to
2 i n. ) . Li ghtl y bui l t, they l i ve i n tr ees
and s hr ubs, c l i ngi ng wi t h t he sti cky
pads on thei r toes. The ski n, often
s l i ght l y warty or rough , is us ual l y
brown or greeni sh. The cal l , heard i n
ear l y spr i ng, i s l oud, cl ear, mus i cal .
The frogs var y much i n col or and pat
tern, and can to a degree change col
or wi th thei r s urroundi ngs.
Common Tree Fr og, wi t h orange or
brown thi ghs, back spotted or mottl ed
gray or brown, s ki n s l i ght l y r ough, i s
hear d i n mi ds u mmer i n woods near
water . Green Tree Frog, most attrac
ti ve, l '/ to 2'/ i n. , wi th s mooth green
ski n, sl ender and l ong- l egged, has a
penetrati ng honki ng cal l . Canyon Tree
Frog can change i ts col or from brown or bl ack to pal e
pi nki sh gray. The ski n i s rough. Eggs are l ai d si ngl y, i n
water . Pi ne Tree Frog, l egs browni s h wi th s mal l orange
s pots, i r r egul ar cross on back, r anges from gr eeni sh
gray t o reddi sh brown; found onl y i n pi ne woods. Squi r
r el Tree Fr og, green to br own, us ual l y s potted, s ki n
s mooth, has l i ght str i pe f r om eye t o forel egs. Paci fi c
Tree Frog i s gray, brown, or green; attracti ve; back
someti mes spotted; brown V between eyes; ! to 2 i n.
Spri ng Peeper, best-known eastern Tree Fr og, 3/. t o 1 1/.
i n. , common i n woodl and swa mps, i s l i ght brown or
gray wi th dark di agonal cross on back. Whi stl i ng Tree
Frog, dusky-col ored, wi th gr eeni s h t hi gh and three
rows of s pots or a cross on back, utters a uni que
whi stl e.
! 28
CRICKET FROGS are real l y s mal l ( 3/. to 1 11 i n . ) tree
frogs wi thout toe pads. Hence they cannot cl i mb. Col or
var i es fr om br own to gr ay a n d g r een, wi th dar ker
mar ki ngs t hat may be br own or even reddi s h. A dar k
tri angl e i s us ual l y pr es ent atop t he head. The s ki n i s
s l i ghtl y rough. Cri cket Fr ogs , com-
mon t hroughout the East, get thei r
name from t hei r cal l -a s har p,
ay-gr
en
frog makes a famt whi stl mg chi rp.
_
1 3 1
GOPHER and RED- LEGGED FROGS i ntrodvce the
" tr ue" frog grou p-1 6 common speci es that have
s mooth, narrow bodi es and l ong hi nd l egs. The Gopher
Frog ( 21/ to 41/ i n. ) , gray wi th smal l bl ack spots, l i ves
in the bu rrows of Gopher Turtl es or crayfi s h. Though
fai r l y c o m mo n , t h ey ar e r ar el y
seen. The l ar ge Red- l egged Fr og
of the West ( 2 to 5 i n. ) is an even
dar k br own or ol i ve a bove, a nd
col or ed bel ow as i t s n a me i n di
cates. I t i s a frog of moi st forests,
breedi ng in J u ne or J ul y.
BULLFROG OHO GREEN FROG The Bul l frog i s l arg
est of our frogs ( 4 to Z'/ i n. ) . The mal e has very l arge
" ear s" ( tympani ) behi nd t he eyes; t he femal e' s ears
are smal l er. The col or i s usual l y drab green. I n the
North, the l ar ge tadpol e does not mat ure ti l l the sec
ond year. The Green Frog i s smal l er [2 to 4 i n. ), wi th
a yel l owi s h th r oat, es peci al l y i n
o oe
8beep
1 36
s peci es , h as . nar r ow head but
l oose, dar k s ki n, wi th a narrow
yel l ow or or ange stri pe down the
back. I t breeds ( March- September)
i n s hal l ow ponds or l ar ge rai n
water pool s.
SALAMANDERS are tai l ed amphi bi ans . About l 35
ki nds, i n seven fami l i es, are found in thi s country. They
di ffer from l i zar ds ( pp. 4.-.5) i n l acki ng a scal y ski n
and cl aws . Sal amanders never have mor e t han four
t oes on the fr ont feet; l i zards usual l y have fi ve. Many
sal amanders are noct ur nal ; al l avoi d di rect sun. Duri ng
t he breedi ng season they move about mor e and hence
a re mor e l i kel y to be s een. Some s pend t hei r ent i re
l i ves i n water; others l i ve on moi st l and, ret ur ni ng to
wat er onl y to mate an d l ay eggs . The eggs, wi t h a
j el l y- l i ke coati n g, are l ai d s i ngl y or i n s mal l c l u mps.
Some terrestri al s al amander s have no
l arval stage. Sal amanders may be kept
i n t er r ar i a l i ke f r ogs an d t oads . F eed
t hem meal wor ms or other l i ve i nsects.
Most s peci es a r e too s mal l an d u n at
tracti ve for pets.
Eggs of
Eggs of
Four-tod Salamander Spotted Salamander
Eggs of
Hellbender
MUDPUPPY WATERDOG ( 1 2 i n. ) is a l arge
aquati c sal amander of ri vers and l akes. The col or vari es
-often dark brown above, pal er on bel l y wi t h dark
s pots . A l arva t hrou ghout l i fe, it has bus hy red gi l l s .
Eggs ar e l ai d i n l ate s pr i ng attached to roc ks u nder
.
water. The eggs hatch in 40to 0
days. Hatchl i ngs , stri ped on t hei r
back and si des, are about an i nch
l ong; they mat ure i n a bout fi ve
year s. Three s peci es occur i n the
Uni ted States.
/
l J8
CONGO- EEL and HELLBEND.ER are l arge aquati c
sal amander s. The former ( two speci es) , s mooth and eel
l i ke, grows 30 to 36 i n. l ong, wi th four t i ny, usel ess,
one- to three-toed feet. I t i s often found i n di tches, i n
burrows, or under debr i s . The femal e l ays a mass of
eggs under mud or rotted l eaves . She may r emai n near
to guard them. The Hel l bender ( 1 6 to 20 i n. ) i s shorter
and broader, and l i ves farther
north. I ts wr i nkl ed ski n makes i den-
t i fi c ati on eas y. Th e c ol or var i es
f d I I h d d
Hel l bender
rom s potte ye owi s to re an
brown. Eggs are l ai d under rocks
`~ ,_ ._
\
i n s hal l ow water.
SIRENS and MUD SIRENS are southern sal amanders
of ri vers, swamps, and ponds. Both have external gi l l s
and both have onl y front l egs . The Si rens are l arger
( about 30 i n. ) , gray, ol i ve green or bl acki sh wi th spots
and bl otches. The Mud Si rens ( two
speci es) , 5 to 8 i n. l ong, have smal l er
gi l l s an d l egs . They occ u r i n s out hern
streams and waterways. li ght stri pes
down the back and si des are a char
acteri sti c mar ki ng. Both feed on i nsects,
wor ms, l arvae, and other s mal l water
ani mal s .
MUD SIREN
OLYMPIC SALAMANDER
GIANT and OLYMPIC SALAMANDERS ar e t wo
northwestern speci es. The fi rst, the l argest western
s al amander (9 to 1 2 i n . ) , i s our l argest l and s peci es.
I t i s found on moi st sl opes u nder rocks and l ogs. larvae
l i ve i n near by strea ms. The back col or var i es-us ual l y
mottl ed; l egs dar ker . Ol ympi c
Sal ama
n
der,
smal l er [ v,
i n. ) , pre-
o,
_;
*O' yp. c
fers the h u mi d coastal coni ferous
O I _ L
forests, where i t i s us ual l y fou nd ' ed
i n or al ong cl ear streams.
`
1 4 1
NEWTS are attracti ve, i nteresti ng sal amanders. Of the
fi ve speci es, the eastern (3 i n. l ong) i s perhaps the
bes t k n own . I ts eggs , l ai d i n s pri n g, on st e ms a nd
l eaves of water pl ants, hatch i nto l arvae. After 3 or 4
months i n the water these usual l y l eave to spend Z or
3 years on l an d as an u n u s u al for m, known as the
Red Eft. When the Efts ret ur n per manent l y to water,
they change col or and devel op a broad swi mmi ng tai l .
Some newts ski p t he eft stage. Newts feed on worms,
i nsect l arvae and smal l aquati c ani mal s. They are per-
4Z
haps the best sal amanders to keep as pets . Red Efts,
fed on l i ve i nsects, do wel l in terrari a. Adul ts thri ve in
aquari a, feedi ng on s mal l bi ts of l i ver or other meat.
The Western Newt i s about twi ce the si ze of the east-
ern s peci es and di ffers in appearance too. Adul ts are
l and- dwel l er s , retur ni ng to water
onl y to breed. They are reddi sh or
dark brown, bel l y much l i ghter yel
l ow or orange. Found i n moi st
woods and mountai n ponds.
SPOTTED SALAMANDER
[ 7i n . ) has l arge, round, yel
l ow, or or a n g e s pots on a
bl ack s ki n. Li ke others i n thi s
group ( 1 1 speci es) i t has ver-
t i cal grooves on i ts si des. It i s
found i n moi st woods; breeds i n ponds and t emporary
pool s . Adul ts mi grate consi der abl y, retur ni n g to water
to breed. They feed on worms, gru bs, and i nsects.
TIGER SALAMANDER [8 i n. ) i s l i ke t he Spotted, but
the s pots, when pr esent, are l ar ger, mor e i rr egul ar,
and extend down the si des and onto t he bel l y. Some
l arvae do not devel op i nto the l and form; t hey s pend
thei r enti re l i fe i n water, where they event ual l y breed.
Ti ger Sal amanders are known to l i ve over 1 0 years.
MARBLED SALAMANDER [4 i n. ) i s s mal l er than
others i n thi s group, but l i ke most i s a stout, t hi ck-set
creatu re. Var i abl e marki ngs on the bl ack s ki n, whi te on
mal es , gr ayi s h on femal es, i n i rregul ar fused bands.
The l arvae ore a mottl ed brown.
I 44
bpCtteU
1| ger
1e
JEFFERSON SALAMANDER i s
s l ender ( 6 12 i n . ) ; al s o cal l ed Bl ue
s potted, for the mar ki ngs on i ts
br owni s h s ki n . I t l i ves i n woods
al ong swamps and streams . Tr unk
and tai l have verti cal grooves.
TEXAS SALAMANDER ( S 12 i n. )
i s found i n varyi n g h abi tats from
swampy l owl ands to upl and woods.
I t i s a burrower beneath l ogs and
rocks near streams . The col or i s a
f ai nt l y bl ot c h e d s l a t e g r a y or
brown, l i ghter beneat h.
DUSKY SALAMANDERS compri se ni ne s peci es of
average-si zed ( 31h i n. ) , i nconspi cuous sal amanders wi th
hi ghl y vari abl e col or and patter n. Thei r dar k, mottl ed
s ki ns bl end wi t h rocks and moss al ong str eams where
they l i ve. The si des are grooved verti cal l y. Note a smal l
1 46
l i ght bar from eye to j aw. The AI -
i n Georgi a.
PURPLE and RED SALAMANDERS often bel i e thei r
names. The Pur pl e ( 5 i n. l ong; three speci es) i s actual l y
browni sh or reddi s h brown, wi th vague spots or bl otches.
You ng ad ul ts, newl y t ransfor med from l arvae, ore
bri ght er red. Thi s i s al s o t r ue of t he Red Sal amander
( 5 i n . ;
_
t wo s pe
bl ack s pots .
1 52
FOUR-TOED SALAMANDER is so cal l ed because
both front and hi nd feet are fou r-toed. I t i s one of the
s mal l est s al amanders ( 2 V2 i n . ) , fai r l y common i n
wooded areas, swamps, and bogs. The dul l red-brown
back i s mottl ed with darker patches; the bel l y is l i ght
er, wi th brown s pots . Mal es are s mal l er t han femal es
and have l onger tai l s . The femal e l ays her eggs i n a
mossy cavi ty and stays wi th t hem
ti l l they hatch, i n about two m
nth
The l arvae l eave the water H st x
o oed
weeks to compl ete t hei r devel op-
Voj| od
ment on l and. They mat ure i n
- wol
-
|oc'ed
about two years.
`
1 53
BOOKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Bi shop, Sherman C. , HANDBOOK OF SALAMANDERS, Comstock Pub. Co. ,
I thaca, N. Y. , l 7. An excel l ent reference and a compani on t a the
vol umes by Carr and Smi th, l i sted bel ow.
Carr, Archi e, HANDBOOK OF TURTLES, Comstock Pub. Ca. , I thaca, N. Y. ,
l 52. The best and most compl ete gui de to Ameri can turtl es, wi th
ampl e data on l i fe hi stori es and i denti fcati on.
Di t mars, Raymond, REPTI LES OF NoRTH AME RI CA, Doubl eday and Co. ,
Gar den Ci ty, N. Y. , ! 4. A general , nan-techni cal reference t o the
maj or North Ameri can speci es. I l l ustrated wi th photogr aphs.
Pope, Cl i ford H. , SNAKES AliVE AND How THEY li VE, Vi ki ng Press, New
York, l 37. A very readabl e account of snakes and t hei r habits, by
a tap authori ty.
Schmi dt, Karl P. , and Davi s, D. D. , fi ELD BOOK OF SNAKES OF THE U. S.
AND CANADA, G. P. Putnam' s Sons , New York, ! 4 ! . A compact,
detai l ed gui de ta i denti fcati on of speci es and s ubspeci es. Of s peci al
val ue to the mare advanced amateur.
Smi th, Hobart M. , HANDBOOK OF LI ZARDS, Comstock Pub. Co. , I thaca,
N. Y. , l 4. A defi ni ti ve reference to the most common repti l es,
wi th ful l i nformati on on i denti ficati on and how they l i ve.
Wri ght, A. , and Wri ght, A. , A HANDBOOK OF fROGS AND TOADS, Com
stock Pub. Co. , I thaca, N. Y. , l 4. An excel l ent, detai l ed fel d gui de
to these amphi bi ans; non-techni cal and wel l i l l ustrated.
ZOOS, MUSEUMS, AND STUDY COLLECTIONS
Here are some wel l -known pl aces where repti l es and amphi bi ans
can be studi ed al ive or as part of permanent exhi bi ts or col l ecti ons:
Was hi ngton, D. C. : U. S. Nati onal Museum, Nati onal Zool ogi cal Park
New York Ci ty: Ameri can Museum of Natural Hi story, Staten I sl and
Zoo, Bronx Park Zoo
Chi cago, I l l . : Natural Hi story Museum, Brookfel d Zaa, li ncol n Park Zoo
Boston, Mass. : Harvard Museum of Comparati ve Zool ogy
Phi l adel phi a, Pa. : Phi l adel phi a Zaal agi cal Park
las Angel es, Cal i f. : las Angel es County Museum
Ann Arbor, Mi ch . : Uni v. of Mi ch. Museum of Zool ogy
San Antoni a, Texas: San Antoni o Zoo
San Di ego, Cal i f. : Zool ogi cal Park
Si l ver Spri ngs, Fl a. : Ross Al l en' s Repti l e I nsti tute
Mi ami , Fl a. : Serpentari um.
Berkel ey, Cal i f. : Uni v. of Cal i f. Mus. of Vert. Zool ogy
l 54
SCIENTIFIC NAMES
The scientific names af i l l ustrated repti l es and amphi bi ans fol l ow.
Heavy type i ndicates pages where they appear. The genus name i s fi rst,
then the species. A thi rd name is the subspecies. If the genus name
i s abbrevi ated, i t i s the same as the genus name given [ ust before i t.
20 leatherback: Dermochel ys cori-
a ceo.
Hawksbi l l : Eretmochel ys i mbri -
cota.
2I loggerhead: Caretta caretta.
Green: Chel oni a mydos.
22 Sternotherus odoratus.
23 Common: Ki nosternon subrubrum
subrubrum.
Yel l ow-necked: K. fl avescens.
24 Chel ydro serpenti ne.
25 Mocrocl emys temmi ncki .
26 Amyda ferox.
27 Gopherus pol yphemus.
28-29 Pseudemys scri pta el egans.
30 Pseudemys fori da no hi erogl yph-
i ca.
3I Oei rochel ys reti cul a ri a.
32 Eastern: Chrysemys pi cta picta.
Mi ssi ssi ppi : C. picto dorsal i s.
Western: C. pi cta bel l i .
33 Chrysemys pi cta margi nate.
34 Graptemys pseudogeographi ca
kohni .
35 Graptemys geographi ca.
36 Emydoidea bl andi ngi .
37 Mol acl emys terrapi n.
38 Eastern: Terrapene carol i na.
Western: T. ornata.
40 Cl emmys guttate.
4I Cl emmys marmorate.
42 Cl emmys muhl enbergi .
43 Cl emmys i nscul pta.
46 Tubercul ar: Phyl l odactyl us tuber-
cul atus.
Least: Sphoerodactyl us ci nereus.
Turki sh: Hemi dactyl us turci cus.
47 Col eonyx vari egatus.
48 Anol e: Anol i s carol i nensi s.
Chamel eon: Chomel eo vul gari s.
49
50
5I
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
6I
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
Sauromal us obesus.
Di psosaurus dorsal i s.
True: I guana i guana r hi nol opha
( j uv. )
Spi ny: Ctenosaura pecti nato ( j uv. )
Crotaphytus col l ari s.
Gambel i a wi sl i zeni .
Cl i mbi ng: Urosaurus ornatus.
Ground: Uta stansburi ana.
Earl ess: Hol brooki a macul ate.
Zebra-tai l ed: Cal l i saurus draco-
noi des.
Fri nge-footed: Uma notate.
Texas Spiny: Scel oporus ol ivaceus.
Western fence: S. occi dental i s.
Ground: S. graci osus.
Desert Scal y: S. poi nsetti.
Desert Spiny: S. magi ster.
Scel oporus undul atus.
Desert: Phrynosomo pl atyrhi nos.
Short-horned: P. dougl assi .
Phrynosoma cornutum.
Grani te: Xantusi a henshawi .
Ari zona: X. ari zonae.
Eumeces obsol etus.
Gr. Five-l i ned: Eumeces l ati ceps.
Common Western: E. ski l tonianus.
Greater Western: E. gi l berti .
Sonoran: E. obsol etus.
Eumeces fasci atus.
Brown: Sci ncel l a l ateral e.
Sand: Neoseps reynol dsi .
Si x-l i ned: Cnemi dophorus sexl i n-
eatus.
Ti ger: C. ti gri s.
Texas: Gerrhonotus l i ocephal us.
Western: El gari a mul ti cari natus.
Ophi saurus ventral i s.
Worm: Rhi neura fori da no.
Footl ess: Anni el l a pul chra.
bb
SClN7lflC NAMS [ Conrinuedj
o9 Hel oderma suspectum.
72 leptotyphl ops.
73 Rubber: Chari na bottae.
Rosy: Li chonura roseofusca.
74 Abastor erythrogrmmus.
75 Faranda abacura.
7o Eastern, Di adophi s punctatus.
Western: D. a mobi l i s.
77 Keel ed, Opheodrys aesti vus.
Smooth-scal ed, L. vernal i s.
78 Cone-nosed: Vi rgi ni a striatulo.
Ground: Sonora semi annulata.
Short-tai l ed, Sti l osama extenu
atum.
Shovel -nosed: Chi onactis occi pi
tal i s.
79 Bl ack Swamp, Semi natri x pygaea.
Stri ped Swamp' li odytes al i eni .
Sharplai l ed, Conli a tenui s.
Sand: Chi l omeni scus ci nctus.
80 Chi l omeni scus ci nctus.
8I Western: Heterodon nasi cus.
Common, H. platyrhi nos.
82 Vi ne' Oxybel i s aeneus.
Western Hook-nosed, Gyal api an
canum.
Fanged Ni ght, leptodei ra annu
l ata septentri onol i s.
83 Fl at-headed, Tanti l l o coronale.
Yel l owl o pped, Rhadi naea favi
lata.
Texas Hook-nosed: Fi ci mi o streck
eri .
Worm: Carphophi s amoena.
Bl ack-stri ped, Coni ophanes i m
peri ol i s.
85 Eastern: Col uber constrictor con
:
stridor.
Western: C. constrictor mormon.
8o Masti cophi s fagel l um fl agel l um.
87 Mosti cophi s toeni atus taeni atus.
88 Sal vadore l i neata.
89 Phyl l orhynchus browni .
90 Gray' El aphe obsol ete spi l oi des.
Yel l ow' E. obsol ete quadri vittata.
9I El aphe obsolete obsol ete.
1 56
92 El aphe guttate guttate.
93 El aphe vul pi ne.
94 Drymarchon corai s.
95 Ari zona el egans.
9o Pi tuophi s mel anol eucus mel ano
l eucus.
97 Pi tuophi s mel anol eucus sayi .
98 Scarl et, lampropel ti s tri angul um
el apsoi des.
Red: L. tri angul um tri angul um.
Common' l. getul us getul us.
99 Speckl ed, lampropel ti s getul us
hol brooki .
Cal i f. , l. getul us cal i forni ae.
I 00 Cemophora dol i ala.
I 0I Rhi nochei l us l econtei .
I 02 Common: Natri x si pedon si pe
don.
Pai nted, N. erythrogaster ery
throgaster.
I 03 Green, Natri x cycl opi on.
Di amondbacked, N. rhombi
fera.
I 04 Pl ai ns, Thamnophi s radi x.
Western' T. el egans.
I 05 Ri bbon' Thamnophi s sauritus.
Common: T. ordi natus.
I 0o Li ned: Tropi docl oni on l i neatum.
DeKay, Storeri a dekayi .
Redbel l i ed, S. occi pi tomacul ata.
I 07 Fang l ess Ni ght, Hypsi gl ena och
rorhyncha.
lyre, Tri morphodon l ambda.
I 08 Common: Mi crurus ful vi us.
Western: Mi cruroi des euryxan
thus.
I 09 Copperhead, Agki strodon con
tortrix.
Cotonmouth: A. piscivorus.
I t0 Pi gmy: Si strurus mi l i ori us.
Mossasougo: S. cotenotus.
I I 2 Ti mber, Crotal us horri d us.
Eastern Di amondback, C. ada
manteus .
Prai ri e: C. vi ri di s.
SC|N7|f|C NAMS [ Conrinuedj
I I 3 Si dewi nder: Crotal us cerastes.
Western Di amondback: C. atrox.
Red: C. ruber.
I I 4 Al l i gator mi ssi ssi ppi ensi s.
II 5 Crocodi l us acutus.
I I 8 Bufo ameri can us.
I 20 Ascaphus truei .
I 2I Western: Spea hammondi .
Eastern: Scaphi opus hol brooki .
I 22 American: Bufo omeri canus.
Fowler ' s: B. woodhousei fowleri .
I 23 Western: Bufo boreas.
Great Pl ai ns: B. cognatus.
I 24 Swamp: Pseudacri s ni gri ta ni
gri ta.
Stri ped: P. ni grita tri seri ata.
I 25 Ornate: Pseudacri s ornata.
Strecker: P. streckeri .
I 26 Common: Hyl a versi col or.
Green: H. ci nerea.
Canyon: H. areni col or.
Pi ne: H. femoral i s.
I 27 Squi rrel : Hyl a squi rel l a.
Paci fi c: H. regi l l a.
Spr i ng Peeper: H. cruci fer.
Whi stl i ng: H. avi voca.
I 29 Acri s crepi tans.
I 30 Texas: El eutherodactyl us latrans.
Ri card: E. ri cordi pl ani rostri s.
I 3I Whi te-l i pped: leptodoctyl us l ab
i ol i s.
Whi stl i ng: Syrrhophus marnocki .
I 32 Gopher: Rona areol ota.
Red-legged: R. aurora.
I 33 Green: Rona cl ami tans.
Bul lfrog: R. catesbei ana.
I 34 Pi ckerel : Rona pal ustri s.
leopard: R. pi pi ens.
I 35 Wood: Rona syl vati ca.
Spotted: R. preti osa.
I 36 Western: Microhyla ol ivacea.
Eastern: M. carol i nensi s.
Sheep: Hypopachus cuneus.
I 38 Necturus macul osus.
I 39 Congo-eel : Amphi uma means.
Hel l bender: Cryptobranchus al
l eghani ensi s.
I 40 Si ren: Si ren l acerti no.
Mud Si ren: Pseudobranchus stri
atus .
I 4I Gi ant : Di camptodon ensatus.
Ol ympi c: Rhyacotri ton ol ympi
cus.
I 42 Notophthal mus vi ri descens vi ri
descens.
I 43 Eastern: Notophthal mus vi ri des
cens vi ri descens.
Western: Tari cha torose.
I 45 Spotted: Ambystomo macul a-
tum.
Ti ger: A. ti gri num.
Marbl ed: A. opacum.
Jeferson: A. j efersoni anum.
Texas: A. texanum.
I 46 Common: Desmognathus fuscus .
Al l egheny: D. ochrophaeus.
I 47 Red-backed: Pl ethodon ci nereus
ci nereus .
Sl i my: P. gl uti nosus.
I 48 Pai nted: a. Ensati na eschscholtzi
eschschol tzi .
b. E. eschschol tzi kl auberi .
Worm: Batrachoseps ottenuatus.
I 49 Tree: Anei des l ugubri s.
Green: A. aeneus.
I 50 Ozark: Typhl otri ton spel aeus.
Texas: Typhl omol ge rathbuni .
I 5I Red: Pseudotriton ruber.
Purpl e: Gyri nophi l us porphyri ti
cus.
I 52 Two-l i ned: Eurycea bi sl i neata.
long-tai l ed: E. l ongi cauda.
Cave: E. l uci fuga.
I 53 Hemi dactyl i um scutatum.
1 D
INDEX
Al l i gator, * 1 1 4- 1 1 5
Al l i gator li zards, *66
Al l igator Snapper, *25
Amer i can Toad, * 1 1 9
(tadpol e), * 1 22- 1 23
Amphi bi ans, 1 1 6-1 53
as pets, 1 4
fami l y tree, *6-*7
. general , * 1 1 6- * 1 1 7
Anol e, *48
.
Barki ng Frog, * 1 30
Bel l Toad, * 1 20
V Bl ack-stri ped Snake, * 83,
84
4 Bl ack Swamp Snoke, *79,
:
80
Bl andi ng Turtl e, *36
Bl i nd Sal amanders, * 1 50
Bl i nd Snakes, *72
_ Bl ue-spotted Sal amander,
<
z
1 44-* 1 45
= Boas, *73
Books, reference, 1 54
Carapace, 1 8
Cave Sal amander, * 1 52
Chamel eons, * 48
Chi cken Turtle, * 3 1
Chorus frogs, * 1 1 9
(tadpol e), * 1 24-
* 1 25
Chuckwal l a, *49
Cl i mbi ng Uta, *54
Coachwhi p Snake, *86-87
Col l ared Li zard, * 52-53
Col l ecti ng, 1 1 - 1 4
Common Snapper, *24
Cone-nosed Snake, * 78,
80
Congo-eel , * 1 39
Copperhead, * 1 09
l 58
Coral Snakes, * 1 08
Corn Snake, *92-93
Cottonmouth, * 1 09
Crested li zard, 50
Cricket Frogs, * 1 1 9
(tadpol e), * 1 29
Crocodi l e, 1 1 4- * 1 1 5
DeKay Snake, * 1 06
Desert I guana, *50
Dusky Sal amanders, * 1 46
Efts, * 1 42- 1 43
Faded Snake, * 95
Fal se I guana, * 5 1
Fi rst ai d, snakebite, * 1 5
Fl at-headed Snake, *83,
84
Footl ess Li zard, *68
Four-toed Sal amander,
* 1 37 ( eggs) , * 1
5
3
Fowl er" s Toad, ' 1 22- 1 23
Fox Snake, VZ- 93
Frogs, * 1 1 6- * 1 1 9 ( gen-
eral ) , 1 1 6- 1 36
Barki ng, * 1 30
Bul lfrog, * 1 33
Chorus, * 1 1 9 (tadpol e),
* 1 24- 1 25
Cri cket, * 1 1 9 (tadpol e),
* 1 29
Gopher, * 1 32
Green, * 1 1 9 (tadpol e),
* 1 33
Leopard, * 1 1 6, * 1 1 9,
* 1 34
Meadow, * 1 34
Narrow-mouthed, * 1 36
Pi ckerel , * 1 1 9 (tad-
pole), * 1 34
Red-l egged, * 1 32
Robber, * 1 30
Sheep, * 1 36
Spotted, * 1 35
Frogs ( cont. ) :
Spri ng Peeper, * 1 1 9
(tadpol e) , * 1 27,
* 1 28
tadpol es, * 1 1 9
Tree ( Hyl as) , * 1 26-
* 1 27, 1 28
Whi stl i ng, * 1 3 1
White-l i pped, * 1 3 1
Wood, * 1 1 9 (tadpol e),
* 1 35
Garter Snakes, * 1 04-
* 1 05
Geckos, *46- *47
Gi ant Sal amander, * 1 4 1
Gi ant Tortoi ses, 27
Gi l a-monster, *69
Gl ass-snake Li zard, *67
Gl ossy Snoke, *95
Gopher Frog, *1 32
Gopher Snake, 97
Gopher Turtl es, *27
Great Pl ai ns Toad, * 1 23
Green Frog, * 1 1 9 (tad-
pol e), * 1 33
Green Sal amander, * 1 49
Green Snakes, * 77
Green Turtl e, * 1 9, * 21
Ground Geckos,
47
Ground Snoke, *78, 80
Ground Uta,
54
Hawksbi l l Turtl e, * 20-2 1
Hel l bender, * 1 37 ( eggs) ,
* 1 39
Hi bernati on, 1 6- 1 7, 1 9,
39, 6 1
Hi erogl yphi c Turtl e, * 30
Hog-nosed Snake,
8 1
Hook-nosed Snakes, * 82-
*83, 84
Hoop Snake, * 75
Horned li zards, 58 * 59
Hyl as, * 1 26-* 1 27, 1 28
I guanas, * 50-* 5 1
I ndi go Snake, *94
ML [ Cont| noed|
Jeferson Sal amander,
1 44-* 1 45
Ki ng Snakes, *98- *99
Leaf-nosed Snakes, *89
Narrow-mouthed Frogs,
* 1 36
Newts, * 1 42-* 1 43
Ni ght li zards, *60
Ni ght Snakes, *82, 84,
* 1 07
Leat
herback
Turtl e, * 1 9,
Ol ympi c Sal amander,
*20- 21
* 1 4 1
Leopard Frog, * 1 1 6,
* 1 1 9 * 1 34
Leopard Li ard, 52-* 53
Li ned Snake, *1 06
Li zards, *44-*45 ( gen-
eral ) , 44-69
Al l i gator, *66
Anole, *48
Chamel eon, 48
Chuckwal l a, * 49
Col l ared, *52-53
Crested, *50
Footless, *68
Geckos, 46- 47
Gi l a-monster, *69
Gl ass-snake, *67
Horned, *58-* 59
I guanas, *50- *5 1
Leopard, 52-* 53
Ni ght, *60
Rocerunners, *65
Sand, *55
Ski nks, * 61 - *64
Swifts, * 56-*57
Utas, *54
Whi ptai l s, *65
Worm, *68
Loggerhead Turtl e, * 21
Long-nosed Snake, * 1 01
Long-toi l ed Sal amander,
* 1 52
Lyre Snake, * 1 07
Map Turtles, * 1 9, *34-
*35
Marbl ed Sal amander,
1 44-* 1 45
Mossasouga, * 1 1 0
Meadow Frog, * 1 34
Mi l k Snake, *98-99
Moccasi n, Water, * 1 09
Mudpuppy, * 1 38
Mud Si ren, * 1 40
Mud Snoke, *75
Mud Turtl es, * 1 9, * 23
Muhl enberg Turtle, *42
Musk Turtl es, *22
Paci fc Turtl e, *41
Pai nted Sal a manders,
* 1 48
Pai nted Turtles, *32- *33
Patch-nosed Snake, *88
Pi ckerel Frog, * 1 1 9, * 1 34
Pi l ot Bl ack Snake, *90-
* 91
Pi ne Snake, *96-97
Puf Adder, 8 1
Purpl e Sal amander, * 1 51
Racers, *85
Rocerunners, *65
Rai nbow Snake, *7 4
Rat Snakes, *90-*93
Rattl esnakes, * 1 1 0- * 1 1 3
Red-backed Sal amander,
* 1 47
Red-bel l i ed Snake, * 1 06
Red Eft, * 1 42- 1 43
Red-legged Frog, 1 32
Red Sal amander, * 1 5 1
Reference books, 1 54
Repti l es, 1 6- 1 1 5
as pet, 1 4
fami l y tree, *4-*5
general , * 1 6- * 1 7
Ri bbon Snake, * 1 05
Ring-necked Snakes, *76
Robber Frogs, * 1 30
Sal amanders, * 1 37 ( gen-
eral ) , 1 37- 1 53
Bl i nd, * 1 50
Bl ue-spotted, 1 44-* 1 45
Cave, * 1 52
Congo-eel , * 1 39
Dusky, * 1 46
Four-toed, * 1 37, * 1 53
Gi ant, * 1 41
Green, " 1 49
Hel l bender, *
1 37
(eggs), ' Jv
Jeferson, 1 44-* 1 45
Sal amanders (cont. ) :
Long-tai l ed, * 1 52
Marbl ed, 1 44- * 1 45
Mudpuppy, * 1 38
Mud Si rens, * 1 40
Newts, * 1 42-* 1 43
Ol ympi c, * 1 41
Poi nted, " 1 48
Purpl e, * 1 51
Red, * 1 5 1
Red-backed, * 1 47
Red Eft, * 1 42- 1 43
Si rens, * 1 40
Sl i my, * 1 47
Spotted, * 1 37 ( eggs) ,
1 44-* 1 45
Texas, 1 44-* 1 45
Ti ger, * 1 1 7 ( eggs) ,
1 44-* 1 45
Tree, * 1 49
Two-l i ned, * 1 52
Waterdog, * 1 38
Worm, * 1 48
Sand Li zards, *55
Sand Snake, *79, 80
Saw-toothed Sl i der, *30
Scarl et Snake, *1 00
Sea Turtl es, *20- *2 1
Sharp-tai l ed Snake, * 79,
80
Sheep Frog, *1 36
Short-tai l ed Snake, *78,
80
Shovel -nosed Snoke, * 78,
80
Si dewi nder, 1 1 1 , * 1 1 3
Si rens, * 1 40
Ski nks, 6 1 ( general )
Brown, *64
Common Western, *62
Fi ve-l i ned, 61 63
Greater Fi ve-l i ned, *62
Greater Western, *62
Sand, *64
Sonoran, * 62
Sl i ders, * 1 , *28-* 30
Sl i my Sal amander, * 1 47
Snake bite, * 1 5
Snakes, * 70- * 71 ( gen-
eral ) , 70- 1 1 3
Bl ack-stri ped, *83, 84
Bl ack Swamp, *79, 80
Bl i nd, *72
Boas, *73
Bul l , 96-*97
Coachwhi p, *86-87
1 59
ML [ Conrinued|
" Snakes (cont. ) ,
Cone-nosed, *78, 80
Copperhead, *1 09
Coral, * 1 08
Corn, *92-93
Cottonmouth, *1 09
DeKay, * 1 06
Faded, *95
Fanged Ni ght, *82, 84
Fangl ess Ni ght, *1 07
. Fl at-headed, *83, 84
Fox, 92- *93
Garter, *1 04- * 1 05
Gl ossy, *95
Gopher, 97
Green, *77
Ground, * 78, 80
Hog-nosed, 81
Hoop, *75
how to hol d, * 1 4
, I ndi go, *94
Ki ng, *98-*99
U
leaf-nosed, *89
li ned, * 1 06
long-nosed, * 1 01
@ lyre, * 1 07
Mi l k, *98-99
Mud, *75
Patch-nosed, *88
.
Pi l ot bl ack, *90-9 1
~
_ Pi ne, *96-97
Racers, * 85
; Rai nbow, *74
Rat, *90- *93
Rattlesnakes, * 1 1 0-
* i 1 3
Red-bel l i ed, * 1 06
Ri bbon, * 1 05
Ri ng-necked, *76
Sand, *79, 80
Scarl et, * 1 00
Sharp-tai l ed, *79, 80
Short-tai l ed, *78, 80
Shovel -nosed, *78, 80
Si dewi nder, 1 1 1 , * 1 1 3
Striped Chi cken, *90-
91
Striped Swamp, *79,
80
Texas Hook-nosed,
*82, 84
Vi ne, *82, 84
Water, * 1 02- * 1 03
1 60
Snakes (cont. ) ,
Water Moccasi n, *1 09
Western Hook-nosed,
*82, 84
Whi p, 86- *87
Worm, *72, *83-84
Yel l ow-li pped, *83-84
Snappi ng Turtles, * 1 9,
* 24- * 25
Soft-shel l ed Turtl es, * 1 9,
* 26
Spodefoot Toads, * 1 2 1
(tadpole), * 1 1 9
Spi ny I guano, 5 1
Spotted Frog, * 1 35
Spotted Sal amander,
* 1 37, 1 44- * 1 45
Spotted Turtle, *40
Spri ng Peeper, * 1 1 9,
* 1 27 * 1 28
Stri ped s=omp Snoke,
*79, 80
Swifts, 56- * 57
Tadpol es, * 1 1 9
Tai l ed Toad, * 1 20
Terrapi n, * 37
Terrari um, 1 3, * 1 4
Texas Rattler, * 1 1 1
Texas Sal amander, 1 44-
* 1 45
Ti ger Sal amander, * 1 1 7
( eggs) , 1 44 * 1 45
Ti mber Rattler, 1 1 1 , * 1 1 2
Toads, * 1 1 6- * 1 1 9 ( gen
eral ), 1 1 6- 1 23
Ameri can, * I 1 9 (tad-
pole), * 1 22- 1 23
Bel l , * 1 20
Fowler, * 1 22- 1 23
Great Pl ai ns, * 1 23
Spadefoot, * 1 1 9 (tad-
pol e), * 1 2 1
tadpol es, * 1 1 9
Toi l ed, * 1 20
Western, * 1 23
Tortoise, " 27
Tortoise shel l , 21
Tree Frogs, * 1 26-* 1 27,
1 28
Tree Sal amander, * 1 4 9
True I guana, * 51
Turtles, 1 8-43
Al l i gator Snapper, *25
Turtles (cont. ) ,
Bl andi ng, 36
Box, * 1 8, *38- *39
Chi cken, *3 1
Di amondback, *37
Gopher, *27
Green, * 1 9, * 21
MOwko| | | , 2 2
Hi erogl yphi c, * 30
leatherback, * 1 9, *20
2 1
loggerhead, *2 1
Mop, * 1 9, *34- *35
Mud, * 1 9, * 23
Muhl enberg, 42
Musk, *22
Paci fc, *4 1
Poi nted, *32- *33
Sea, * 20- * 21
Sl i ders, * 1 8, *28- *30
Snappers, * 1 9, * 24-
*25
Soft-shel l ed, * 1 9, *26
Spotted, *40
Terrapi n, *37
Tortoi se, * 27
Wood, *43
Two-l n_
2
Sal amander,
Utas, *54
Vi ne Snake, *82, 84
Waterdog, * 1 38
Water Moccasi n, * 1 09
Water Snakes, * 1 02-* 1 d
Western Toad, * 1 23
Whi psnake, 86- *87
Whi ptoi l li zards, *65
Whi stl i ng Frog, *1 3 1
White-l i pped Frog, * 1 31
Wood Frog, * 1 1 9 (tad
pol e), * 1 35
Wood Turtle, *43
Worm Li zard, *68
Worm Sal amander, * 1 48
Worm Snoke, *72, * 83-
84
Yel l ow-l i pped Snake, *83,
84
V VV XX YY ZZ
kLF1I IL5 ANUAMFHI bI AN5
LLLUtN LUlUt
*
HLKbLKT 5. Zl%, Ph. D. , Sc. D. , an ori gi nator and for
mer edi tor of the Gol den Gui de Seri es, was al so an
author for many years. Author of some ni nety books
and edi tor of about as many, he is now Adj unct Pro
fessor at the Uni versi ty of Mi ami and Educati onal
Consul tant to the Ameri can Fri ends Servi ce Commit
tee and other organ i zati ons. He works on educa
ti onal , popu l ati on and envi ronmental probl ems.
HLbAKT %. 5%lTH, Ph. D. , of the Uni versi ty of Col o
rado, at Boul der, i s a past presi dent of the Herpetol o
gi sts' League and the author of Amphibians of North
America, a Gol den Fi el d Gui de. He is one of the worl d' s
l eadi ng authori ti es on rept i l es and amphi bi ans.
jA%L5 LLKULN l KVl NL has exh i bi ted pai nti ngs at
the Amer i can Museum of Natural Hi story and the
Nati onal Audubon Soci ety. I n the Gol den Gui de
Ser i es he has i l l ustrated Mammals, Birds, Insects, Rep
tiles and Amphibians, Stars, Fishes, and Gamebirds.
LLLULN FKL55 NLW YLKK
2449b-1
LLtN U t
K 3N
H bN3
REPTI LES AND AMPHI BI ANS, a gui de t o the most
fami l iar American speci es, separates fact from fable,
di ferentiates between repl i les and amphi bi ans, ai ds
i n the identification of ZT Z species, and acquai nts the
reader with the pl aces where they may be found. I l l us
trated in ful l col or; maps show approximate ranges.
| N U-Z44O4