Gordon Natural Area : Amphibians and Reptiles of the Gordon Natural Area

The Biota of the Gordon Natural Area - Amphibians & Reptiles

Amphibians and reptiles (aka, ‘Herptiles’) have been little studied at the GNA, so the account here is accordingly brief. To date, 18 species of herptiles, in 14 Genera, 6 Families, and 4 Orders have been noted at the GNA. Data were compiled by surveys by Dr. Harry Tiebout, augmented by observations from GNA staff (which as used here, includes student interns), additional WCU Faculty, and graduate student Steven Clay.

Based on GNA staff observations, the most commonly-encountered species are Northern Red-backed Salamanders, Eastern American Toads, and Eastern Box Turtles. Additionally, various species of snakes (primarily, garter snakes) and other species of salamander are periodically observed. With a life-span of 120+ years, Eastern Box Turtles are the longest-living animals in the GNA. Recently, we've begun to plant tree species that are known to be food sources for box turtles, with an aim towards increasing food resources for this species. To facilitate this work we’ve compiled a list of plant species utilized by box turtles. (the list can be accessed: here).

You can explore the herptile checklist below, or you can access a pdf copy of the checklist.

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Anaxyrus americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Bufonidae

Notes

Common Names: Eastern American Toad

Years Noted: 2004; 2007; 2011; 2013; 2016-2024

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Also Noted By: Kendra McMillin; William Ricci; Nur Ritter; Alexandra Hodowanec; Paige Vermeulen; Maribeth Beatty; Ariana Rivellini; Kathryn Krueger; Alex Desjardines; David Kramer; Miranda Davies

iNaturalist Observations:

206721582 (Observed: 4/10/2024)

206721583 (Observed: 4/10/2024)

187789219 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

176022615 (Observed: 7/31/2023)

176510258 (Observed: 8/3/2023)

185029645 (Observed: 9/25/2023)

79779776 (Observed: 5/22/2021)

174975817 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

174975819 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

172151254 (Observed: 7/6/2023)

170173968 (Observed: 6/27/2023)

134205485 (Observed: 9/8/2022)

115395493 (Observed: 4/29/2022)

115394297 (Observed: 4/14/2022)

115393828(Observed: 4/14/2022)

115391871 (Observed: 4/14/2022)

111225684 (Observed: 4/12/2022)

42664102 (Observed: 5/30/2019)

79587176 (Observed: 5/20/2021)

42664589 (Observed: 10/14/2016)

56973170 (Observed: 8/19/2020)

iNaturalist Observations:

206721582 (Observed: 4/10/2024)

206721583 (Observed: 4/10/2024)

187789219 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

176022615 (Observed: 7/31/2023)

176510258 (Observed: 8/3/2023)

185029645 (Observed: 9/25/2023)

79779776 (Observed: 5/22/2021)

174975817 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

174975819 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

172151254 (Observed: 7/6/2023)

170173968 (Observed: 6/27/2023)

134205485 (Observed: 9/8/2022)

115395493 (Observed: 4/29/2022)

115394297 (Observed: 4/14/2022)

115393828(Observed: 4/14/2022)

115391871 (Observed: 4/14/2022)

111225684 (Observed: 4/12/2022)

42664102 (Observed: 5/30/2019)

79587176 (Observed: 5/20/2021)

42664589 (Observed: 10/14/2016)

56973170 (Observed: 8/19/2020)

Images

Anaxyrus americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)

Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowlers Toad)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Bufonidae

Notes

Common Names: Fowler's Toad

Years Observed: 2007; 2017; 2018; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: Nur Ritter

Also Noted By: Paige Vermeulen; Miranda Davies

Notes:

Conservation status: S3/S4 (S3: Vulnerable - Vulnerable in the nation or state due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation/S4 Apparently Secure)

iNaturalist Observations:

193881594 (Observed: 10/12/2023)

179815861 (Observed: 8/22/2023)

Images

Hyla versicolor Complex (Gray Tree Frog)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Hylidae

Notes

Common Names: Gray Tree Frog

Year Observed: 2023

Identified By: Nate N. (iNaturalist)

First Noted By: Kathryn Krueger & David Kramer

Also Noted By: Nur Ritter

iNaturalist Observations:

180649874 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

180649876 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

180649880 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

180649882 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

180649885 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

180649886 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

180649887 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

177387239 (Observed: 8/8/2023)

176483424 (Observed: 8/3/2023)

Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Dusky Salamander

Years Observed: 2004; 2007; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Also Noted By: David Kramer

iNaturalist Observations:

177044475 (Observed: 8/6/2023)

192092867 (Observed: 11/17/2023)

Images

Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander)

Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Two-lined Salamander

Years Observed: 2004; 2007; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2022; 2023; 2024

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Also Noted By: Paige Vermeulen; Stroud Water Research Center; Ariana Rivellini; Rowan Nygard

iNaturalist Observations:

202558236 (Observed: 1/26/2024)

202226558 (Observed: 3/12/2024)

202226561 (Observed: 3/12/2024)

194291160 (Observed: 12/15/2023)

185029658 (Observed: 9/25/2023)

185029659 (Observed: 9/25/2023)

187789218 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

176022618 (Observed: 7/31/2023)

183299321 (Observed: 9/8/2023)

183299323 (Observed: 9/8/2023)

185029653 (Observed: 9/25/2023)

192092866 (Observed: 11/17/2023)

192092868 (Observed: 11/17/2023)

192092875 (Observed: 11/17/2023)

174975818(Observed: 7/25/2023)

163681548 (Observed: 5/25/2023)

123995298 (Observed: 6/29/2022)

37540451 (Observed: 1/12/2020)

Images

Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander)

Eurycea longicauda (Long-tailed Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Long-tailed Salamander

Year Observed: 2023

Identified and First Noted By: David Kramer

Images

Eurycea longicauda (Long-tailed Salamander)

Hemidactylium scutatum (Four-toed Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Four-toed Salamander

Years Observed: 2005; 2007

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Notes:

A state-listed species in Pennsylvania ('Species of special concern'). I

Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Eastern Redback Salamander

Years Observed: 2004; 2005; 2007; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; 2024

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Also Noted By: Nur Ritter; Paige Vermeulen; Maribeth Beatty; Ariana Rivellini; Noah Long; Gerry Hertel; Kendra McMillin; Francis Kane; Kathryn Krueger

Notes:

The Red-backed Salamander is the most commonly encountered amphibian at the Gordon. The species is unusual in being a fully terrestrial species. This species has two color forms: 1) the red-backed morph; and, 2) the lead-backed morph.

iNaturalist Observations:

187789221 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

163681630 (Observed: 5/25/2023)

163682367 (Observed: 5/25/2023)

168521627 (Observed: 6/20/2023)

174975813 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

174975814 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

177044473 (Observed: 8/6/2023)

187789222 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

187789224 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

187789228 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

187789229 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

187789231 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

187789232 (Observed: 10/10/2023)

192092863 (Observed: 11/17/2023)

192092877(Observed: 11/17/2023)

110665069 (Observed: 4/5/2022)

72468670 (Observed: 3/30/2021)

39925031 (Observed: 10/2/2019)

45921211 (Observed: 5/14/2020)

Images

Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander)

Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Slimy Salamander

Year Observed: 2007

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Pseudotriton ruber ruber (Northern Red Salamander)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Plethodontidae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Red Salamander

Years Observed: 2007; 2019

Identified and First Noted By: Paige Vermeulen

Images

Pseudotriton ruber ruber (Northern Red Salamander)

Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Ranidae

Notes

Common Names: American Bullfrog

Year Observed: 2007

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Lithobates clamitans (Green Frog)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Ranidae

Notes

Common Names: Green Frog

Years Observed: 2007; 2013; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: William Ricci

Also Noted By: Paige Vermeulen; Stroud Water Research Center; Noah Long; Nur Ritter; Kathryn Krueger; Miranda Davies; David Kramer

Notes:

In 2021, the rare 'Blue Mutant' (the axanthic form) was observed in Gordon Run by GNA student intern Noah Long. We spent weeks attempting to get photos of this individual and finally were able too. Because of our obsession with getting photographs, we named the frog 'Moby Turquoise.'

iNaturalist Observations:

183299320 (Observed: 9/8/2023)

183299318 (Observed: 9/8/2023)

174975816 (Observed: 7/25/2023)

172723097 (Observed: 7/13/2023)

91570818 (Observed: 8/17/2021)

88167057 (Observed: 7/22/2021)

84458683 (Observed: 6/25/2021)

Images

Lithobates clamitans melanota (Northern Green Frog)

Lithobates sylvaticus (Wood Frog)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Amphibians

Family: Ranidae

Notes

Common Names: Wood Frog

Years Observed: 2007; 2008; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; 2024

Identified and First Noted By: Nur Ritter

Also Noted By: Paige Vermeulen; Maribeth Beatty; Ariana Rivellini; Noah Long; Stroud Water Research Center; David Kramer

iNaturalist Observations:

202226548 (Observed: 3/11/2024)

202226550 (Observed: 3/11/2024)

202226551 (Observed: 3/11/2024)

180649878 (Observed: 8/12/2023)

136921194 (Observed: 9/28/2022)

95799297 (Observed: 9/22/2021)

84895390 (Observed: 6/28/2021)

69833700 (Observed: 9/14/2018)

Images

Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Chelydridae

Notes

Common Names: Common Snapping Turtle

Years Observed: 2007; 2008; 2013; 2018; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: Bog Turtle Survey

Also Noted By: Wildlife Camera

GNA YouTube Videos featuring the Common Snapping Turtle:

Snapping Turtle reconnaissance (Video Posted: 07/27/2023)

Coluber constrictor constrictor (Northern Black Racer)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Colubridae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Black Racer

Year Observed: 2007

Identified and First Noted By: John Beneski

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Northern Ringneck Snake)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Colubridae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Ringneck Snake

Year Observed: 2007

Identified and First Noted By: Steven Clay

Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Eastern Milksnake)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Colubridae

Notes

Common Names: Eastern Milksnake

Year Observed: 2007

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Nerodia sipedon sipedon (Northern Water Snake)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Colubridae

Notes

Common Names: Northern Water Snake

Years Observed: 2007; 2021; 2022; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout

Also Noted By: Ty Showers; Nur Ritter; David Kramer

Images

Nerodia sipedon sipedon (Northern Water Snake)

Storeria dekayi (Dekays Brownsnake)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Colubridae

Notes

Common Names: Dekay's Brownsnake

Year Observed: 2023

Identified By: Eric Steven Roscoe (iNaturalist)

First Noted By: Miranda Davies

Also Noted By: David Kramer

iNaturalist Observations:

170173490 (Observed: 6/29/2023)

185029651 (Observed: 9/25/2023)

Images

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Colubridae

Notes

Common Names: Eastern Garter Snake

Years Observed: 2004; 2007; 2013; 2014; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: Gerry Hertel

Also Noted By: Kendra McMillin; Nur Ritter; Paige Vermeulen; Maribeth Beatty; Ariana Rivellini; Noah Long; Rachel Resuta; Kathryn Krueger; Mike VanMeter

Notes:

Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)

iNaturalist Observations:

192092872 (Observed: 11/17/2023)

153581180 (Observed: 4/5/2023)

85005087 (Observed: 3/28/2019)

42306146 (Observed: 4/14/2020)

63815892 (Observed: 10/24/2020)

Images

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake)

Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle)

Group: Amphibians & Reptiles

Type: Reptiles

Family: Emydidae

Notes

Common Names: Eastern Box Turtle

Years Observed: 2007; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2013; 2014; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023

Identified and First Noted By: Gerry Hertel

Also Noted By: Kendra McMillin; Jared Kline; Nur Ritter; Paige Vermeulen; Maribeth Beatty; Ariana Rivellini; Noah Long; Matt Desko; Anna Carlson

iNaturalist Observations:

77509421 (Observed: 5/5/2021)

42306612 (Observed: 4/10/2020)

45214547 (Observed: 5/7/2020)

Images

Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle)

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Gordon Natural Area

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Gordon Natural Area