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.ven 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.
Anaxyrus americanus (Eastern American Toad)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Bufonidae
Synonyms: Bufo americanus
Notes
Common Names: Eastern American Toad
Years Observed: 2007; 2011; 2013; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022
Identified By: H. Tiebout
Also Noted By: K. McMillin; W. Ricci; N. Ritter; A. Hodowanec; P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini; K. Krueger; A. Desjardines
Images
Anaxyrus americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)
Anaxyrus americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)
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
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Comments:
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)
Images
Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) on the GNA forest floor
Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Plethodontidae
Notes
Common Names: Northern Dusky Salamander
Years Observed: 2007; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Harry Tiebout
Also Noted By: David Kramer
Images
Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Plethodontidae
Notes
Common Names: Northern Two-lined Salamander
Years Observed: 2007; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2022
Identified By: H. Tiebout
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; Stroud Water Research Center; A. Rivellini; R. Nygard
Images
Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander)
Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander)
Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) - photo by R. Nygard
Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) - photo by R. Nygard
Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) - photo by R. Nygard
Eurycea longicauda (Eastern Long-tailed Salamander)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Plethodontidae
Notes
Common Names: Eastern Long-tailed Salamander
Year Observed: 2023
Identified and First Noted By: David Kramer
Images
Eurycea longicauda (Eastern Long-tailed Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Eurycea longicauda (Eastern Long-tailed Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Eurycea longicauda (Eastern Long-tailed Salamander) — photo by David Kramer
Hemidactylium scutatum (Four-toed Salamander)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Plethodontidae
Notes
Common Names: Four-toed Salamander
Year Observed: 2007
Identified By: H. Tiebout
Comments:
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: 2007; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022
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
Comments:
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.
Images
Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander): lead-backed color morph.
Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander): red-backed color morph.
Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander): red-backed color morph.
Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander): close-up of face
Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Redback Salamander): lead-backed
Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Plethodontidae
Notes
Common Names: Northern Slimy Salamander
Year Observed: 2007
Identified By: H. 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 By: P. Vermeulen
Images
Pseudotriton ruber ruber (Northern Red Salamander)
Lithobates catesbeianus (Bullfrog)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Ranidae
Notes
Common Names: Bullfrog
Year Observed: 2007
Identified By: H. Tiebout
Lithobates clamitans melanota (Northern Green Frog)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Ranidae
Notes
Common Names: Northern 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
Comments:
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.'
Images
Lithobates clamitans melanota (Northern Green Frog)
Lithobates clamitans melanota (Northern Green Frog)
Lithobates clamitans melanota (Northern Green Frog) — the blue mutant form
Lithobates sylvaticus (Wood Frog)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Amphibians
Family: Ranidae
Notes
Common Names: Wood Frog
Years Observed: 2007; 2008; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini; N. Long
Images
Wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)—an obligate vernal pool species—in the Gordon
Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Reptiles
Family: Chelydridae
Notes
Common Names: Snapping Turtle
Years Observed: 2007; 2008; 2013; 2018
Identified By: Bog Turtle Survey
Coluber constrictor constrictor (Northern Black Racer)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Reptiles
Family: Colubridae
Notes
Common Names: Northern Black Racer
Year Observed: 2007
Identified By: J. Beneski
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Northern Ringneck Snake)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Reptiles
Family: Colubridae
Notes
Common Names: Northern Ringneck Snake
Year Observed: 2007
Identified By: S. Clay
Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Eastern Milksnake)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Reptiles
Family: Colubridae
Notes
Common Names: Eastern Milksnake
Year Observed: 2007
Identified By: H. 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) — photo by David Kramer
Nerodia sipedon sipedon (Northern Water Snake) — photo by David Kramer
Storeria dekayi (Dekays Brownsnake)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Reptiles
Family: Colubridae
Notes
Common Names: Dekay's Brownsnake
Year Observed: 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Miranda Davies
Images
Storeria dekayi (Dekay's Brownsnake)
Storeria dekayi (Dekay's Brownsnake)
Storeria dekayi (Dekay's Brownsnake)
Storeria dekayi (Dekay's Brownsnake)
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Common Garter Snake)
Group: Amphibians & Reptiles
Type: Reptiles
Family: Colubridae
Notes
Common Names: Eastern Garter Snake
Years Observed: 2007; 2013; 2014; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022
Identified By: G. Hertel
Also Noted By: K. McMillin; N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini; N. Long; R. Resuta; K. Krueger
Comments:
Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)
Images
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake)
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake)
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
Identified By: G. Hertel
Also Noted By: K. McMillin; J. Kline; N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini; N. Long; M. Desko; A. Carlson
Images
Big Bang: an Eastern Box Turtle encountered in the Gordon in 2018
Obo: an Eastern Box Turtle encountered in the Gordon in 2018
An unnamed Eastern Box Turtle that was observed by student intern William Ricci in 2013
Sunburst: a young Eastern Box Turtle that was seen in 2022 by Anna Carlson (a Masters Student from Temple U.) while she was doing research in the area