What is the most common herp in your area? Please post pictures of them
I thought this would be a fun and easy themed thread, but also a way to show the diversity of herps across the globe.
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I think for my area, the most common herp is the southern toad. Brown anole is a close second.
Recently metamorphed Anaxyrus terrestris
The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Here in Central NJ, our most commonly seen herps:
Snakes: Eastern garter (N. water snakes come in second)
Turtles: Painted
Salamanders: Red-backed
Frogs: Green frog (Fowler's toads also common)
In the NJ Pine Barrens, the most common herps (at least those commonly seen) are probably fence lizards and Fowler's toads.
Snakes: Eastern garter (N. water snakes come in second)
Turtles: Painted
Salamanders: Red-backed
Frogs: Green frog (Fowler's toads also common)
In the NJ Pine Barrens, the most common herps (at least those commonly seen) are probably fence lizards and Fowler's toads.
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Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
For me in Anaheim, California, its the Western Fence Lizard
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
In Corvallis area Oregon I would say the reptiles I find most frequently would be rubber boas and red-spotted gartersnakes. For amphibians it would be pacific treefrog, Dunn's salamander, and dicamps.
Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)
Red-Spotted Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus)
Northern Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla)
Dunn's Salamander (Plethodon dunni)
Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus)
When I lived in Starkville, Mississippi I would say spotted, marbled, and Mississippi slimy salamanders were the most common salamanders. I found at least one under every log, rock, leaf pile, etc. Since I worked in ponds for my research, I ran into turtles and snakes everyday as well. Difficult to say which species I saw the most. It would either be one of the many, many, many nerodia or the cottonmouth. We also had lots of frogs laying eggs in the fish ponds and tanks inside (including the sump). Sometimes they would even lay eggs on a sheet of plastic laying in the grass if it rained enough. We couldn't keep them in the tanks or they would be eaten and the fish were on specific diets for our research so we let the frogs metamorphose in extra aquariums or tanks and then they were free to crawl out and go wherever they wanted to afterwards. We would find them in the office, in the bathroom, in the drain, under your chair, etc.
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Mississippi Slimy Salamander (Plethodon mississippi)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Tadpoles
Swimming
Temporary frog facility for the tadpoles laid in the fish tanks. The tank was open so they could crawl out.
Cute little tail
The ones who didn't leave after a day or two got moved out of the water and into another open tank with grass, leaves, and natural food (small insects). Some of the frogs took longer but they all ended up leaving.
One of the newly metamorphed frogs who though living in the office was a good idea. They would crawl under the door to come inside. Helped keep the insect population in the office down.
One of the adults who decided laying eggs in fish tanks was a good idea.
Inside a fiberglass tank
In the ponds
Not green treefrogs but more tadpoles removed from fish tanks.
Some of the tadpoles turned out to be narrowmouths
Various turtles from the catfish ponds
Originally the staff at the hatchery would kill any turtles that were found in the ponds and ate them. I ended up finding a wildlife professor at the university to work on a project with me that involved the turtles so they became protected. These turtles are waiting to be identified.
One of the many softshells that occupied our ponds.
Snapping turtle with nice camouflage algae.
Larger snapping turtle. These were favorite soup turtles before I started at the facility.
I feel bad for the turtle he is sitting on.
We were able to identify individuals fairly well because a lot had deformities or injuries.
This is an example of a pond that the turtles were living in. Typical catfish pond, mud based and 1.5 meters deep. This one was being emptied so it could dry out between experiments.
Some of the turtles or snakes would get stuck in the mud if they didn't crawl out before it dried.
Denoting the pond the turtle came from.
Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)
Red-Spotted Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus)
Northern Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla)
Dunn's Salamander (Plethodon dunni)
Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus)
When I lived in Starkville, Mississippi I would say spotted, marbled, and Mississippi slimy salamanders were the most common salamanders. I found at least one under every log, rock, leaf pile, etc. Since I worked in ponds for my research, I ran into turtles and snakes everyday as well. Difficult to say which species I saw the most. It would either be one of the many, many, many nerodia or the cottonmouth. We also had lots of frogs laying eggs in the fish ponds and tanks inside (including the sump). Sometimes they would even lay eggs on a sheet of plastic laying in the grass if it rained enough. We couldn't keep them in the tanks or they would be eaten and the fish were on specific diets for our research so we let the frogs metamorphose in extra aquariums or tanks and then they were free to crawl out and go wherever they wanted to afterwards. We would find them in the office, in the bathroom, in the drain, under your chair, etc.
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Mississippi Slimy Salamander (Plethodon mississippi)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Tadpoles
Swimming
Temporary frog facility for the tadpoles laid in the fish tanks. The tank was open so they could crawl out.
Cute little tail
The ones who didn't leave after a day or two got moved out of the water and into another open tank with grass, leaves, and natural food (small insects). Some of the frogs took longer but they all ended up leaving.
One of the newly metamorphed frogs who though living in the office was a good idea. They would crawl under the door to come inside. Helped keep the insect population in the office down.
One of the adults who decided laying eggs in fish tanks was a good idea.
Inside a fiberglass tank
In the ponds
Not green treefrogs but more tadpoles removed from fish tanks.
Some of the tadpoles turned out to be narrowmouths
Various turtles from the catfish ponds
Originally the staff at the hatchery would kill any turtles that were found in the ponds and ate them. I ended up finding a wildlife professor at the university to work on a project with me that involved the turtles so they became protected. These turtles are waiting to be identified.
One of the many softshells that occupied our ponds.
Snapping turtle with nice camouflage algae.
Larger snapping turtle. These were favorite soup turtles before I started at the facility.
I feel bad for the turtle he is sitting on.
We were able to identify individuals fairly well because a lot had deformities or injuries.
This is an example of a pond that the turtles were living in. Typical catfish pond, mud based and 1.5 meters deep. This one was being emptied so it could dry out between experiments.
Some of the turtles or snakes would get stuck in the mud if they didn't crawl out before it dried.
Denoting the pond the turtle came from.
Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Tough to decide on most common, but for anurans it would be
Acris blanchardi
or Incilius nebulifer
For lizards, probably Sceloporus olivaceus
For turtles, Trachemys scripta and Pseudemys texana are pretty common, but Trachemys are boring so here's P. texana
Salamanders aren't common around here and crocodilians, obviously Alligators, but they aren't common this far west.
Snakes would be a three way tie -
Thamnophis marcianus -
Pantherophis emoryi -
Crotalus atrox -
Acris blanchardi
or Incilius nebulifer
For lizards, probably Sceloporus olivaceus
For turtles, Trachemys scripta and Pseudemys texana are pretty common, but Trachemys are boring so here's P. texana
Salamanders aren't common around here and crocodilians, obviously Alligators, but they aren't common this far west.
Snakes would be a three way tie -
Thamnophis marcianus -
Pantherophis emoryi -
Crotalus atrox -
- mtratcliffe
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- Location: Mt Laurel, NJ
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
My location is Tampa, FL
Toads - the Southern Toad is by far the most common. Spadefoot Toads are uncommon, and there are plenty of Eastern Narrowmouths, but they aren't really toads.
DSCN7618 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Frogs - Several species are very common where I live, but I'd have to give a nod to Florida Leopard Frogs, which I see the most of. Green Treefrogs are the most regularly heard, but I'd wager that Squirrel Treefrogs are more abundant due to the diverse habitats they can be found in.
Here's a big momma Leopard Frog:
DSCN6362 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
And a more regular sized one:
DSCN7625 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Snakes - a toss-up between Southern Black Racers and Florida Watersnakes. I see more of the later where I live, though I'd wager that Racers have higher numbers overall as they can be found almost anywhere.
Racer
DSCN6856 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
FL Watersnake
DSCN5507 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
DSCN6218 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Lizads - discounting the non-native Brown Anole and the myriad of Gecko species, I'll go with Southeastern Five-lined Skinks. I rarely see Green Anoles unless I head out of the metro area.
DSCN5918 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Turtles - a toss-up between Peninsula Cooters and FL Redbellied Cooters, but I'll go with the former.
DSCN6205 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Toads - the Southern Toad is by far the most common. Spadefoot Toads are uncommon, and there are plenty of Eastern Narrowmouths, but they aren't really toads.
DSCN7618 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Frogs - Several species are very common where I live, but I'd have to give a nod to Florida Leopard Frogs, which I see the most of. Green Treefrogs are the most regularly heard, but I'd wager that Squirrel Treefrogs are more abundant due to the diverse habitats they can be found in.
Here's a big momma Leopard Frog:
DSCN6362 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
And a more regular sized one:
DSCN7625 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Snakes - a toss-up between Southern Black Racers and Florida Watersnakes. I see more of the later where I live, though I'd wager that Racers have higher numbers overall as they can be found almost anywhere.
Racer
DSCN6856 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
FL Watersnake
DSCN5507 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
DSCN6218 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Lizads - discounting the non-native Brown Anole and the myriad of Gecko species, I'll go with Southeastern Five-lined Skinks. I rarely see Green Anoles unless I head out of the metro area.
DSCN5918 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Turtles - a toss-up between Peninsula Cooters and FL Redbellied Cooters, but I'll go with the former.
DSCN6205 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Right now, the most numerous around me in Santa Clara Co., CA - Anaxyrus boreas halophilus
- reptologist
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Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Here where I am from in southern NJ the most common turtle is the northern red bellied cooter.
This is the most colorful example that I have seen.
The most abundant toad is the fowler's toad.
The most common frog is the green frog
Fence lizards are the most common lizard
The northern water snake is the one I encounter most often.
The most often encountered salamander is the northern 2 lined. I don't have any pictures of them worth posting.
This is the most colorful example that I have seen.
The most abundant toad is the fowler's toad.
The most common frog is the green frog
Fence lizards are the most common lizard
The northern water snake is the one I encounter most often.
The most often encountered salamander is the northern 2 lined. I don't have any pictures of them worth posting.
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- Location: Mobile, AL
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
My home in suburban Baton Rouge
Backyard
Most common (only) salamander is the Three-toed Amphiuma
Most common anuran is the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad
Most annoyingly common is the vociferous bedroom window Squirrel Tree Frog
Most common land shell is the Box Turtle
But in the stream the most common is the Common Stinkpot, but for lack of photos here is #2, the ubiquitous Redear
Most common Day-shift lizard is the Green Anole
Night shift gets the Mediterranean Geckos in hordes
The common stream snake is the Banded Water Snake, though neighbors are continuously working the numbers down
Finally, the most common yard snake, the fearsome Dekay's Brown....
My total amphibian/reptile yard list is 30 species -- always something to see and a great place to visit
Jeff
Backyard
Most common (only) salamander is the Three-toed Amphiuma
Most common anuran is the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad
Most annoyingly common is the vociferous bedroom window Squirrel Tree Frog
Most common land shell is the Box Turtle
But in the stream the most common is the Common Stinkpot, but for lack of photos here is #2, the ubiquitous Redear
Most common Day-shift lizard is the Green Anole
Night shift gets the Mediterranean Geckos in hordes
The common stream snake is the Banded Water Snake, though neighbors are continuously working the numbers down
Finally, the most common yard snake, the fearsome Dekay's Brown....
My total amphibian/reptile yard list is 30 species -- always something to see and a great place to visit
Jeff
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
The correct answer for anyone in the Northeast who doesn't live in a salt marsh or on a beach is this animal:
Redback Salamander is almost certainly the most abundant herp in the Northeast, and possibly the most abundant vertebrate as well. Virtually every square foot of forest and suburb that isn't completely dessicated has a population.
Redbacks are cool and all, but I would trade my entire yard list to have 3-toed Amphiumas on my property!
Redback Salamander is almost certainly the most abundant herp in the Northeast, and possibly the most abundant vertebrate as well. Virtually every square foot of forest and suburb that isn't completely dessicated has a population.
Redbacks are cool and all, but I would trade my entire yard list to have 3-toed Amphiumas on my property!
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
This is awesome. Thanks everybody. I'm curious about international examples as well. Keep them coming!!!
- Kyle from Carolina
- Posts: 221
- Joined: May 3rd, 2012, 8:12 pm
- Location: western MA and NC
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
central Alberta, Canada
I can't go to a wetland and not see or hear wood frogs, boreal chorus frogs, and plains gartersnakes anytime between May and September, when it's warm. The latter of which is probably there because of the first two species. The chorus frogs pop up anywhere. Next would be western tiger salamanders and boreal toads.
I can't go to a wetland and not see or hear wood frogs, boreal chorus frogs, and plains gartersnakes anytime between May and September, when it's warm. The latter of which is probably there because of the first two species. The chorus frogs pop up anywhere. Next would be western tiger salamanders and boreal toads.
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
I'll do an international one then. For where I work at Mount Isa in NW Queensland Ring-tailed dragons are most common during the day and Gehyra robusta at night.
Ring-tailed Dragon by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
Robust Dtella with a mothfull by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
At my new home on the Darling Downs of Queensland it would be two skinks. Ctenotus robustus and Lygisaurus foliorum. I have only done a few nights and haven't found a great deal so I couldn't say what is the most common.
Eastern Striped Skink by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
Iridescent Litter-skink by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
Ring-tailed Dragon by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
Robust Dtella with a mothfull by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
At my new home on the Darling Downs of Queensland it would be two skinks. Ctenotus robustus and Lygisaurus foliorum. I have only done a few nights and haven't found a great deal so I couldn't say what is the most common.
Eastern Striped Skink by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
Iridescent Litter-skink by Ryan Francis, on Flickr
Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Thanks. I think this is amazing. The diversity of even common stuff is fun to look at.