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REPTILES AND
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212

SPECIES IN FULL COLOR

PTILES
AND

AMPHIBIANS
A GUIDE

TO

FAMiliAR AMERICAN SPECIES

by

HERBERT S. ZIM, Ph.D., Sc.D.

and

HOBART

M.

SMITH,

Ph.D.

Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology

University of Colorado, Boulder

I LLUSTRATE D BY JAMES GORDON I RVI N G

GOLDEN PRESS

NEW YORK

Western Publishing Company, Inc.

Racine, Wisconsin

FOR EW ORD

So m a n y peo p l e of a l l a g es w a n t to k n o w a b out
s n a ke s a n d t u rtl e s , fr o g s a n d s a l a m a n d e rs, t h a t the
G o l d e n Nature G u i des would be i n com p l ete without
an i ntrod ucti on to re pti les and a m p h i bi a n s .
The authors express t h e i r g ratefu l tha n ks to a l l who
h e l ped in making the book. Thanks a re due to Charl es
M. B o g e rt a n d Bessie M. Hecht, of t h e A m e rican
M u s e u m of N at u r a l History; J a m e s A. O l i v e r, of the
N. Y. Zoo l o g i c a l Society; C a rl F. Ka uffe l d , of the
Staten I s l a n d Zool o g i c a l Soci ety; Roger a n d I s a belle
Cona nt, of the P h i l a d e l p h ia Zoological Garden; Robert
C. M i l ler, Joseph R. Slevin, and Earl S. Hera l d , of the
C a l i fo rn i a Aca d e m y of Scie nces; l. M. Kl a u ber, C . B.
P e r k i n s , a n d C. S. S h a w of the Zool o g i c a l Society of
San Diego; louis W. Ra msey, of Texas C h r i sti a n Un i
versity; a n d W i l l i a m H. Sti c k e l , of t h e P a t u x e n t Re
sea rc h Refuge.
Special tha n ks a re d u e to our colleagues a t the Uni
versity of I l l i n o i s - P h i l i p a n d Dorothy S m i t h , Ha rold
Kerster, Dona l d H offmeister, a n d many others. Our
g r a ti t u d e g oes a l s o to J a mes G o r d o n I r vi n g for his
fine cooperation and to Grace C rowe I rving; to Rozella
S m ith and. Sonia Bleeker Zi m for their a s s ista nce; and
fi nal l y to our publishers for their untiring a i d .
In t h e present revision, five add itional p a g e s of i nfor
m ation h ave been added, p l u s a l i sti n g of scientific
n a m e s . We hope readers will find th i s fu l l e r and more
H . S. Z .
ttractive vol u m e more usefu l .
H . M. S .
Copyright 1953, 1956 by Western Publishing Company. Inc. All rights reserved.
including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means. including
the making of copies by any photo process. or by any electronic or mechanical
device, printed or written or oral. or recording for sound or visual reproduction
or for use in any knowledge retrieval system or device. unless permission in
writing is obtained from the copyright proprietor. Produced in the U.S.A. by
Western Publishing Company, Inc. Published by Golden Press. New York. NY
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 61-8324. ISBN 0-307-24495-4

U S I N G T H I S BOO K
The first step in the use of this book is to learn
the differences between reptiles and amphibians:

R E P TI L E S
Usually: four-legged (except snakes and a few

TURTLE

lizards); each foot with three to five clawed toes;

skin usually with horny scales, sometimes bony
plates. Most lay eggs with hard or leathery skin.

1. TURTLES

leathery or bony shell. Four

limbs, short tail. Head can be withdrawn wholly

pages 18-43

or partly into shell.

2. LIZARDS

In the United States, mostly

small, four-legged, covered with equal-sized

horny, smooth or beaded scales. Most are egg
laying, fast-moving land reptiles.

3. SNAKES

long,

pages 44-69

legless. Scales on belly

usually larger than others.

Skulls loose, mouth

Some are egg-laying;

large. lack ear openings.

pages 70-113

some live-bearing.

4. ALLIGATORS and CROCODILES

large,

lizard-like. Skull forming long snout. Adapted to

pages 114-115
A M PHIB IA N S

water life in warm regions.

Four- or, rarely, two-legged (except tadpoles).

Smooth or warty skin, usually moist. No visible
scales. Toes never clawed. Eggs usually in jelly
like masses in water.

1. FROGS and TOADS

Adults with larger

hind limbs; tadpoles limbless when young. Adults

lack tail. Most lay jelly-like eggs in water.

2. SALAMANDERS

FROG

pages 118-136

Most have four limbs,

even the larvae. limbs about same size. Adults

pages 137-1 53

have tails.

The introduction to each section in the book

gives more details. Use illustrations for fur

ther identification. Pages 8-14 explain range
maps and suggest activities. Index is on pages

158-160,

scientific names on

155-157.

have a h i story wh i ch beg i n s nearly 250 m i l

l ion years ago. The g ro u p slowly s pread, and finally
took over the l a nd. Dinosa u rs i n c l u d ed the l a rgest land
a n i mals. Other reptiles took to the a i r and to the seas.

R E PTILES

S o m e were swift, s o m e were a r m ored, s o m e were ter

rible k i l l ers . As the cli mate changed, nearly a l l the g reat
repti l e s died off. Repti les of toda y are interesting descen dants of m a g n ificent a ncestors.

had at least a 50- m i l l ion-yea r head sta rt

on repti l es , but these fi rst l a n d a n i m a l s n ev e r became
completely i ndependent of water. Their jelly- l i ke eggs
c o u l d not s u rvive i n a i r, so a m ph i bi a n s had to return to

AM PHIBIANS

swamps, ponds, or streams to breed. Ancestors of pres

ent-day frogs and salamanders flourished in the Coal
Age swamps. Many were clumsy giants. For more about
living American amphibians, see pp.

1 1 6- 1 5 3 .
7

SEEING AN D STU D YIN G

R E PTI L ES AN D A M P HIBIAN S
DESERT IGUANA

COMMON TOAD

M a p s i n t h i s book s h o w a p proxi m ate ra n g e s of o u r

f a m i l i a r s p e c i e s . Where a m a p shows r a n g e s of more
t h a n one species, the n a m e of each species is placed
with i n or n e xt to the color or k i n d of hatch i n g that
s hows its ra nge. Overl a p p i n g of color and hatch in
d i cates overlapping of ranges.
FACT AND FABL E This book bri n g s together i nter
esti n g facts and rel i a b l e scientific o p i n i o n s . Sometimes
t h e facts a re stra n g e r th a n f a b l e s ; s o m eti m es f a b l es
you h e a r a re e x a g g erati o n s or d i storti o n s of a s m a l l
truth. Because s o m e people have m i sta ken i d eas about
repti les and a m ph i bians, they destroy harml ess s pecies.
We need not fear what we u n dersta n d ; s o try to un
dersta n d these a n i m a l s .
IN T E R E S T AND C U RIOSI T Y

W h i l e s o m e peo ple
fea r repti l e s , most want to see what s n a kes, l i z a rds,
t u rtles, a n d frog s a re rea l l y l i ke . This c u rios ity h a s been
fed p a rtly by the fa bles a bout these creatu res and
p a rtly by their u n u s u a l a p pe a r a n c e . Every g r o u p of

a n i m a l s i n c l udes stra n g e a n d u n u s u a l k i n d s a n d , as a
g ro u p , repti les a n d a m ph i bians have the richest share.
Repti les a n d a m p h i b i a n s h ave i ri d escent skin and var
ied patterns of color that few other a n i m a l s can e q u a l .
They a re attractive as w e l l as i nteresti n g .
Repti les were i n the i r heyday
m i l l ions of years ago; now they a re only a rem n a n t of
a once-great group. Some a re of d i rect value. We use
th e s k i n s o f a l l i g ators, l i z a rd s , a n d l a rg e s n a k e s for
l e a t h e r . T u rt l e m e a t is a d e l i c a cy, as is the m e a t of
l a rg e r l i z a rd s . T u rt l e e g g s a re eaten, a n d t u rtle shell
h a s b e e n u s e d to m a ke co m bs and o r n a m e nts. Even
the ven o m of poisonous s n a kes has u s e s in m e d i c i ne.
I n N o rth A me r i c a , the poi sonous s n a kes a r e the only
repti les considered very da ngerous. But the deaths from
sna kebite scarcely tota l 50 per yea r. Reptiles feed partly
on rats, mice, gophers, i n sects, and other pests; in turn
they a re eaten by ma mma ls and la rge b i rd s . As a group
they play a vita l role in the bala nce of natu re, i ncreas
ing i n importance toward tropical regions. A bala nce of
nature without them would vastly diminish our world of
animal l ife.
VALUES OF R E PTILES

VAL U E S OF A M PHIBIA N S
In evolu ti o n , a m p hib
i a n s were t h e a n cestors of t h e r e pti l e s . To us t h e y a re
FABLES
Bird Hypnotized
by Snake

less conspicuous and probably less important. ::.:!!!!:!

Frogs and other amphibians are used in scientific experiments. We eat frogs' legs, and frogs
consume qua ntities of insects. Salamanders,
too, serve as food for man and other animals,
and help control harmful pests. Like reptiles , !:!Ill
they are a vita l part of our environment as well as clues
to animal life long ago.

Most k i n d s of repti les a n d am

p h i bi a n s s h o u l d b e p rotecte d , for o u r own e n j o y m ent
a nd for the future. N e e d l ess k i l l i n g , s o often b a s e d on
f e a r and m i s u n d ersta n d i n g , s h o u l d sto p . N o re pti les
s h o u l d be k i l l e d , except poison
ous s n a kes n e a r hum a n h a bita
tions. Perhaps even more im por
t a n t i s t h e p r e s e rv a t i o n of wild
areas w h e re r e pti l es, a m phib
i a n s, a n d other wi l d l ife l ive. The
cutti n g of forests, d r a i n i n g of
swa mps, d a m m i ng of rivers, and
even b u i l d i n g of roads i n wilder
ness a reas a l l h ave a lon g-ra nge effect on plant and
a ni m a l li fe. T h e preservati on of u n s po i l ed l a n d in state
a n d nati o n a l parks a n d forests , the w i l d l i fe refuges, the
w i l d e r n e s s a re a s , a n d t h e l i k e is i m p o rta n t i n t h e con
servation progra m . And the swa m p s a n d m a rshes on
fa r m l a n d a re worth keep i n g too .
Ma ny re pti les d i e as a n i n d i rect result of their being
cold-blooded. Snakes often come out on roads at n i g ht,
possi bly because of the warmth of the pave ment.
T u rtles a re constantly crossi n g h i g hways, too. An early
morn i n g ride will show the tol l. taken by passi ng ca rs
a toll that c o u l d be reduced by more care on the part
of motorists.
CONS ERVATION

10

A CTIVITIES WITH R E PTILES A N D A M PHIBIANS

Learn to k n o w reptiles
a n d a m p h i b i a n s from b o o k s a n d , b ette r, fro m l i fe.
Learn those in y o u r reg i o n fi rst. Be a b l e to rec o g n i ze
poisonous sna kes at a g l a nce. Besides the zoo, m a ke
u se of m us e u m s a n d e x h i bits. Become fa m i l i a r enough
with l i z a rd s , tu rtl es, s n a kes, frogs, and sala manders to
recog nize common ones seen in the fiel d .

LEARN TO K NO W THEM

i n y o u r o w n reg i o n c o m e next . If you

c a n , go with an e x perienced pers o n . H i kes wi l l m a ke
you fa m i l i a r with places where repti les a n d a m p h i bians
a re fou n d . The best places depend l a rg e l y on loca l con
ditions. Go to ponds and swamps, creeks, ledges, woods
a n d fields. This i s the fi rst step i n observ i n g or col lecti n g .
FIELD STUDIES

COLLE CTI N G m a y s e e m m o r e i m p o rta nt t h a n it i s .

Y o u c a n l e a rn m u c h with o u t c o l l ecti n g . O n l y fo r the
a d v a n c e d a m at e u r is i t n e c e s s a ry to p i n d o w n rare
s pecies o r g e o g ra p h i c a l s u bspecies for study of body
sca les, head pl ates, forms of toes and other deta i l s . At
that sta g e s ys
te matic collect
i n g i s i m p o r
ta nt. If you col
l e ct h a r m l ess
s p e c i e s , t u rn
t h e m l o o s e af
ter y o u h a ve
exa m i ned and
stu d i e d t h e m .
Hunting Frogs
with Headlight

COLLE CTING EQUIPM E NT

Snake Stick
and Noose

S n a kes a n d liz a r d s c a n be
carried in m u s lin b a g s o r pil
low c a s e s . W h e n the e n d is
tied , these a re safe, a n d pro
vide enough venti lation. Cans
o r jars are fi n e for a m p h i bi
a n s . Keep the c o ntain e r half
fu l l of m oist s p h a g n u m moss
Snake Collecting Bag
for y o u r ca ptive's comfort. A
stout net wil l h e l p you get a m phibia ns, though
some collectors prefer to grab by h an d . A snake
stic k wil l pin d o w n a s n a ke til l y o u c a n pic k it
u p safely. Some prefer to g ra b s n a kes q uickly
behind the hea d . U sing a sti ck is safest for a
b e g i n n e r , however. Amateurs s h o u l d l eave
poiso nous snakes strictly alone. Experience in
fi eld tr i p s wil l h e l p you p l a n s i m pl e but a de
q u ate c o l l ecting eq u i p ment a n d the pro per
ways of u s i n g such equipment. R e m e m ber that
a m u s l i n bag can be a d eath tra p for a s peci
men i f left i n the sun or in a closed car p a r ked
in the open .

Terrarium for Frogs

12

Cage for Snake or lizard

Keep a m ph i b i a n s i n a q u a ria.
Some req u i re a rock o r float so they c a n cl i m b out of
t h e water. O t h e r s , e s peci a l l y t a d p o l e s , will use any
aquaria s u it ab le for fish. Toa d s wi l l n e e d a moist ter
r a ri u m ; l i z a r d s u s e a c a g e s i m i l a r to o n e for s n a kes.
F o r s n a kes a n d l i z a r d s that cl i m b , u s e a l a r g e r cage
with a bra nch set i n it. Allow at least a s q u a re foot of
floor space for a m e d i u m-sized s n a ke, more for l a rger
s pecies. Know the ha bits of the sna ke. Try, i n a s i m ple
way, to d u pl i cate the natural h a bitat. A wooden cage
of one-i nch boards with a g l a s s front i s good; the top
s h o u l d b e h i n g e d a n d u s e d as a d oo, r . Three o r fou r
o n e-i n c h ( o r l a rg e r ) h o l e s at t h e e n d s a n d ba c k aid
venti l ation. These holes should be tig htly covered with
fi ne scree n . Cover the c a g e fl oor with sand o r g rave l .
Add a rock o r t w o a n d a l a rg e e n o u g h d i s h of c l ean
water so that you r s n a ke o r toa d c a n d ri n k o r soa k . Be
s u re that the floor of your cage i s a l ways d ry. F asten
your water conta i n e r so a movi n g s n a ke wi l l not turn
it over. R e pti l es kept i n wet cages ofte n develop skin
i nfections which a re diffic u l t to cure. Turn such sick
s n a kes loose.
CAG ES A N D TA N KS

13

of many a m ph i bians
and re pti l e s are sti l l u n k n o w n . S o me
ti mes o n l y the a d u l ts have b e e n de
scribed, and we know n oth i n g of thei r
e g g s o r y o u n g . Eati ng h a b i ts , w i nter
i n g ha bits, and mating habits of many
s p e c i e s a re sti l l m y ster i e s . A c a ref u l ,
informed a mateur m a y be able t o make
Amphibian Eggs
in Aquarium
a c c u rate fi e l d observati o n s a n d records of scientific va lue. Binoculars a re
often a h e l p, and a notebook is essenti a l . Fiel d obser
vation m a y teach you m u c h m o re t h a n watc h i n g ani
mals i n a cage. For best res u l ts, combine both method s .
F i rst s t u d y t h e a n i m a l s carefu l l y i n the fi e l d . T h e n ob
serve them in ca ptivity fo r fu rther deta i l s . The m o re nat
u ra l the cond itions, the bette r the observati o n s .
LIFE HISTORIES

K E E PING RE PTILES AND

A M PHIBIA NS AS PETS

Col l ecti n g repti l es and am

p h i b i a n s to keep as pets is
easy. Kee p i n g t h e m a l i ve
req u i re s a d e q u ate c a g es,
l ive food, a n d patience.
Some a re unusua l, most are interesting, but a l l have
their limitations. Turtles are favored. They live long and
a re easier to feed. Species preferred as pets are noted,
but turning these anima ls loose exactly or as near as
possible to where they were found, after you hove studied
them, is proper. Ma ny species cannot lega l ly be pos
sessed without state or federa l permit. Inquire at you r
state Fish and Wildlife Service, or eq uiva lent, before
attempting to col l ect or keep any reptile or am phibia n even common or poisonous species.
14

'

FI RST AID
FO R SNAK E BI TE

Read this before you beg i n han

d l ing sna kes.
Sna kebites of a n y kin d ore rare.
T h ey ore e a s i l y preve nte d . Wear
h eavy shoes, boots, or leg g i ngs in
c o u ntry w h e r e poi s o n o u s s pecies
o re fo u n d . Stay o n r o o d s , paths,
or tra i l s i f p o s s i b l e . Step c l e a r of
rocks and l o g s . When c l i mbing
rocky l e d g es, l o o k befo re you
g rasp. Fi n a l l y and most i m porta nt:
no a mate u r s h o u l d catch or h a ndle
poisonous s n a kes.
Bites of non-poisonous snakes
often l eave a U-shoped pattern of
tooth ma rks . Treat them as sim
ple, m i n o r w o u n d s with any good
g e r m i c i d e . Bites of poisonous
s n a kes u s u a l l y show a double
p u ncture c a u sed by the e n l a rged
front fa n g s . Other teeth marks may
be present a l so. If bitten, try hard
to rec o g n i z e a n d i d e ntify the
s n a k e . I f the s n a k e is poi s o n o us,
c o m p l ete q u i et with p ro m pt fi rst
aid, a n d the use of seru m by a
d octor, wi l l i ns u re the possi bility
of c o m p l ete a n d rapid recovery.
Phone doctor immediately.

Apply tourniquet. Loosen for

5 min. at 20min. intervals

Make small incisions.

Suck out poison.

Keep patient quiet, warm,

and comfortable.

Scaly Skin

R E PTIL ES

Ploted Skin

REPTILES (teoth oliko )

Th o u g h the Age of Re pti les, w h i c h fl our

ished for some 1 20 m i l l i o n years, came to a n e n d a bout
70 m i l l i o n yea rs ago, many i nteresting and unusual
reptil es a re sti l l fou n d today. Some n a tive re ptiles
occur i n every state, though they a re more common and
more species occur i n the warmer pa rts of this country.
Re pti l e s are c l a ssified i nto fo u r m a j o r g r o u p s -t u rtles
(45 s pecies), l i zards (90 species}, s n a kes ( 1 1 0 s pecies},
a n d a l l i g ators a n d c rocod i l es {2 speci es). Repti l es are
n ot a l wa ys easy to fi n d . Some a re s m a l l , ma ny a re noc
turn a l , and most are protectively colored.
Reptiles a re cold-bloode d . A reptil e ' s body tempera
ture is the sa m e a s the temperature of i ts s u rroundings,
except a s evaporation lowers it o r i nsolation raises it.
O n l y by behavior is a repti l e ' s te m perature control led.
Only o n hot sand o r roc k does a repti l e get m uc h warmer
t h a n the a i r. Desert repti l e s avoid di rect m i dday sun.

16

SNAKES ( 110 species)

MAMMALS (tooth variable)

Some beco me dormant ( a e stivate) in m id s ummer. In

cooler reg i o n s repti l e s h i be rnate fro m late fa l l to early
s p ri n g u n d er the soi l , rocks, or water. T h e n they a re in
active, sometimes a l most lifeless.
Al l repti l es , even aquatic species, have lungs and
breathe a i r. Their ski n i s usually covered with scal es or
p l ates . Repti l i a n teeth a re commonly u n iform i n shape
and size, l a c k i n g the spec i a l ization seen i n m a m ma l s .
Most repti l e s l a y e g g s . I n a few, the e g g s r e m a i n i nside
the moth e r ti l l ready to hatch. All you n g a re a bl e to
care for t h e mselves very soon after bi rth . T h o u g h a few
s n a kes a n d l i z a r d s a re poi s o n o u s , t h e great m a j o rity
of repti les a re harmless. They a re often classed as bene
ficial to man because they feed on rodents and i nsects .
Some re pti l e s m a k e i nteresti n g a n d u n u s u a l pets. Al l
are a n i m a l s which deserve protecti on from needless
destruction.
17

BOX TURTLE

TURTLES a re u n us ual, a ncient repti les. Their ancestors

fi rst a p pea red s o m e 200 m i l l i o n years a g o , l o n g be
fore the d i nosa u rs . And while those g reat beasts have
long been exti nct, tu rtl es with their odd, u n g a i n l y form
h ave mana ged to s u rvive a n d have remained relatively
u n c h a n g ed for a t l e a s t 1 5 0 m i l l i o n years. Part of the
re a s o n f o r t h i s l o n g s u rv i v a l m a y be the turtl e ' s un
usual skeleto n . The top shell or carapace i s formed from
overg rown, wi d e n e d r i b s . B e n e ath is the l ower shel l , or
pl astro n . I n the course of thei r development, tu rtles have
beco m e so m o d i f i e d t h a t t h e i r l e g s a re attached within
th e i r ri bs. This devel o p m e n t for protection has m a de it
necessary for turtles to develop longer necks a n d an un
u s u a l w a y of g etti n g a i r i n a n d o u t of thei r l u n g s . A
tu rtl e ' s neck forms a ti ght S-s h a ped bend, a n d the
cu rve beco mes s h a l l ow as the neck extends.
Turtles h ave n o teet h . B u t t h e i r horny b i l l wi l l tear
p l a nt and a ni m a l food. Turtles eat insects, worms, grubs,
shellfish, fish, and some pla nts. A few species are

l a r g e l y h e r bivoro u s . Al l t u rtles
l a y e g g s , u s u a l l y 6 to 1 2, a nd
b u ry t h e m i n t h e g r o u n d . S ea
T u rt l e s l a y m a n y m o r e . U n der
the heat of the s u n these h a tch
i n to yo u n g w h i c h g ro w to ma
tu rity i n a b o u t 5 to 7 y e a rs.
T u rtles may l i ve longer than any
other a n i m a l s , perhaps up to
1 50 yea rs. S m a l l s pecies h ave
s u rvived l o n g e r than 40 years in
ca ptivity.
Male t u rtles are g e n erally
s maller tha n fe m a l es; they often
h ave a longer tai l , a concave
pl astron , a n d l o n g n a i l s on their
front feet. In n o rt h e r n sections
of the country, turtles h i bernate
u n der soil or u n d e r m u d at the
botto m of p o n d s . Some also be
come d o r m a n t in h ot, d ry
weather. Several k i n d s are
prized as ta ble d e li caci es. Many
m a ke i nteresti n g pets that are
easy to keep a n d feed.
Livi n g turtl es of N o rth America
and adjacent seas fit i nto seven
f a m i l i e s . S i x a r e i l l u st r a t e d at
the r i g ht s i d e of the page by
represe ntative species. The sev
e nth fa m i ly, the l a n d tortoises,
i s pictu r e d on p . 2 7. This i s the
only group correctly ca l l ed " tor
toises . "

MUD TURTLE

SNAPPING TURTLE

SEA TURTLES a re l a rger tha n , a n d different from,

pond and land species. The l i m bs of marine turtles a re
modified into fl i p pers-strea m l i ned for swim m i n g , clum
s y for use on land. As a result, these turtles seldom
come ashore, though the fema l e does so to lay her
l a rge batch of eggs i n l ate spri n g . The eggs a re bu ried
in the sand j ust past the h i g h-water mark. Sea Turtles
a re found i n warmer waters of both Atl a ntic and P'a
cific, a n d occas i o n a l l y off northern s hores i n s u m mer.
Of five kinds, the Leatherback is largest. Specimens

20

over 8 ft. long, close to 1 ,500 lb., have been caug ht.
T h e r i d g e d , leathery b a c k m a kes i d e ntificati o n e a sy.
The Hawksb i l l , s m a l l est of the Sea Turtles, also is easy
to reco g n i z e beca u s e of its overlapping scales. This is
the species fro m wh i c h "tortoise shel l " comes. The
Green Tu rtl e , m ost ofte n used for food, h a s four p l ates
on each s i d e between the top a n d the m a r g i n a l pl ates .
The Loggerhead Turtle has five pl ates on each s i d e and
a smaller head than the Green T u rtle, with which it may
be confused. It is not a s good eati n g .
21

MUS K TURTLES a r e a q uatic s pecies of p o n d s , s l ow

strea ms, and rivers. They often sun themselves i n shal
l o w water, but sel d o m come ashore. T h e f e m a l e s do
so to lay eggs. Note the na rrow, hig h carapace, often
covered with a l g a e a n d water moss. T h e l o w e r s h el l
( p l a stro n ) i s na rrow a n d s h o rt, al
most l i k e that of Snappi n g Turtles .
T h e M u s k T u rt l e h a s a strong
odor. Two s peci es occ u r; the com
moner, shown a bove, has two light
stripes on each side of its head.
22

-- - - - - - -
\--

COMMON MUD TURTLf

five species of th em , l ive a bout the

s a me a s M u s k T u rt l e s . Th e y are a q uatic, feed i n g on
l a rvae of water i n sects a n d s m a l l water a n i m a l s .
Notice t h a t the plastron i s much w i d e r i n the M u d Turtle and i s all scaly. Both e n d s a re h i n g ed , so that the
Mud T u rtle can p u l l the pla stron in,

givi n g h e a d a n d l i m bs m o r e protectio n . M u d T u rtles h a ve a m u sky

'
odor, too. T h e y a r e s m a l l , ra rely
ove r 4 i n . long, a n d a re m o re common i n the Southeast.
23
M U D T U RT L E S,

------------r:l((f

__

and its g i a nt rel ative ( see p . 2 5 )

are d a ngerous. Their l o n g necks, powerful jaws, and
vicious tem pers m a ke them u nsafe to h a n d l e . Hold
them well away fro m you. S n a p pers a re a q u atic, pre
ferri n g q u i et, m u d d y wate r . They eat fish a n d so me
ti mes waterfowl . Notice the sharp
ly toothed rear edge of the rough
c a r a p a c e , w h i c h is oft e n c o a ted
wit h g reen a l g a e . T h e p l a stron is
s m a l l . Adu l ts, 1 8 i n . or m o re,
wei gh 20 to 35 l b .

COMMON SNA PPER

7- - - -
\-24

ALLIGATOR SNA P PER is the l a rgest fresh-water tur

tle, reach i n g a l ength of 30 i n . a n d a w e i g h t o f cl ose
to 1 5 0 l b. E ntirely a q uatic, i t l i es o n the m ud d y bot
to m , its h u ge mo uth a g a pe , wi g g l i n g its pi n k, worm
l i ke to n g u e to attract a n u n wary fish . Its powerful jaws
can m a i m a h a n d or foot. It d iffers
from the C o m m o n S n a p per in hav
i n g th ree h i g h ridges or keels on its
back. Speci m e n s are reported to
have l ived 50 to 60 years and more
in zoos.

25

SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE

SOFT- SHELLE D T U R TLES have, in fact, a h a rd she l l ,

b u t i t i s soft-edged a n d l a c k s horny sca les. T h e s e tur
tles can pull i n head and l i m bs for protection neverthe
less. Of two species, one h a s s m a l l bumps o r tubercles
a l o n g the front edge of the carapace; the othe r does
not. Both h ave long necks, sharp
beaks, vicious tempers . H a n d l e
them by rea r of s h e l l . T h e s e turtles
g r o w to a l e n gt h o f a bo u t 1 8 i n .
a n d w e i g h u p to 3 5 l b . T h e y a re
excellent eati n g .

or GO PH ER TURTLES a re l a n d tu rtles
with b l u nt, c l u b- s h a p e d feet very d i ffe r e n t fro m the
w e b b e d feet o f a q u a t i c s p e c i e s . T h e i r diet i n c l u des
m uch p l a n t m ateri a l a s well a s i nsects and s m a l l a n i
m a l s . O u r t h r e e s p e c i e s , w h i c h d i ffer o n l y i n m i n o r
ways, a re related t o the Giant Tor
toises of the G a l a pagos Islands,
la rgest and o l dest of l a n d turtles.
The r e l a t i v e l y h i g h , a rc h e d c a ra
pace and the habit of d i g g i n g deep
bu rrows are cha racteri stic .
27

TORTO I S ES

are a co m m o n g r o u p of fo u r s p e c i e s . The
c a ra p a c e is u s u a l l y s m ooth a n d fa i r l y fl a t , t h e rear
edge rou g h l y toothed. The ca rapace of the Florida and
Ala b a m a S l i ders a rches h i g h er than t h e c a r a p a ce of
others. The o l ive-brown shel l s and skins of S l i d ers are
s p l otc hed with red and yel low. The Elegant S l i d e r has
a d i st i n ctive d a s h of red b e h i n d t h e eye. The m a l es,
much d a rker tha n fema les, were once m i staken for d if
ferent s pe c i e s . With t h e e xtra-l o n g toe n a i l s on their
fr o n t feet they s e e m t o ti c k l e o r g e nt l y s c r a t c h the
fema l e ' s head d u ri n g courts h i p . The fem a l e l ater digs

S LID ERS

28

a h o l e n e a r t h e s h ore a n d de posits a bo u t 1 0 e g g s,
which s h e covers with d i rt.
All S l iders p refer the q u iet waters of rivers and
pond s . O n w a r m d a ys they may be fou n d s u n n i n g on
logs or d e b r i s . They a re one of the com mon est turtles
of the Mi ssis s i p p i and its tri butaries. Of a l l you n g tu r
tl es sol d in pet shops, S l i d e rs are
com monest. They m a ke good pets,
live l o n g , a n d g row to a bout 1 ft.
Pai nti n g their s h e l l s deform s and
may fin a l l y k i l l them.

i s a l s o c a l l e d t h e H i e ro
g lyphic Turtle because the markings on its shell and s kin
rese m b l e a nc i e n t writi n g . I t i s a typ i c a l S l i d e r with a
d a rk, flattened c a r a p a ce, 1 0 to 1 2 i n . lon g , m a rked
with yel low. The plastron is yellow with dark markings.
Like oth e r Sliders th i s one fee d s on
s m a l l wa ter a n i m a l s , i n s ects, a nd
eve n d e a d f i s h ; it a l s o e a t s s o me
water pla nts. I n the various pa rts of
the South, S l i ders a r e prized for
their flavor.

S A W - TOOTH E D S LI D ER

30

CHI C K EN TURTL E i s s o c a l l e d beca u s e it i s l o c a l ly

e aten des pite its s i z e ( 5 to 8 i n . ). The brow n i s h c a ra
pace has s h a l l o w fu rrows, a s m ooth rea r e d g e , and
thin yellow lines. It is higher and narrower than that of
S l iders. T h e pl astron i s yel low, a s a re t h e u n d e rs ides
of head and l i m bs, which have th in,
dark stri p e s . C h i c k e n T u rt l e s have
very long necks. They prefer d itches
a n d p o n d s to rivers. More p u g na
c i o u s t h a n S l i d e r s , they d o not
m a ke a s good pets.

31

PA I NT E D TUR T L ES a r e p e r h a ps t h e most c o m mon

a n d wi de s prea d of turtl es. They are fo u n d whe rever
th ere a re p o n d s , s wa m ps , d i t c h e s , o r s l o w stre a ms .
T h e s e s m a l l ( 5 to 6 i n . ) t u rtles spend much of their time
in or near water, feeding on water plants, insects, and
other small a n i mals. They are a l so scavengers. I n sum
m e r, P a i nted T u rtl e s gather together, and i f one ap
proaches q u ietly, they may be seen s u n n i n g on logs,
rocks, o r even floati ng water p l a nts. Ma les are similar

MISSISSIPPI PAINTED TURTLf

32

WESTERN PAINTED TURTLE

to the fe males but smal ler, with the same long nails on
t h e i r forefeet that S l i d e rs have. F e m a l es l a y 6 to 1 2
w h ite e g g s i n a h o l e t h a t they h ave d u g l a b o ri o u sly
with their hind legs i n the s o i l . The eggs m a y hatch in
two or th ree months, thou g h some you n g do not
e m erge ti l l t h e fol l o wi n g s p r i ng. P a i n ted T u rtles may
b e e a s i l y i d e n t i f i e d by t h e i r b r o a d , d a r k , f l a ttened,
s m ooth-edged shel l s . The ma rgin of the cara pace is
ma rked with red; so is the yellow-strea ked skin, espe
cially on head and l i mbs. The plastron is yellow, some
ti mes bei n g ti nted with red . In all fo u r s u b s pecies of
Pai nted T u rtles the u p per j a w is notched in front. The
n otch has a s m a l l projection on each side. Markings and
deta i l s of c a r a p a c e and p l a stron d i ffe r f r o m s u b s pe
cies to s u b s p e c i e s . P a i nted Tu rtles
a re shy and a re not easily ca ptu red .
They m ake g oo d pets b u t m u st be
fed in water. You n g Pai nted Tu rtles
w i l l a ttac k fi s h if they a re put in an
a q u a ri u m with th e m .
33

FALSE MAP TURTLE

a re aq uatic turtles often found in l a rge

n u m be rs in p o n d s , s w a m p s , a n d q u i et strea m s . They
a re even more ti m i d than Painted Tu rtles. Dozens may
be s u n n i n g on a log, but at the least d i st u r b i n g noise
they i n sta ntly d ro p back i nto the water. like S l i d ers,
thes e turtles a re c a ptu red and s o l d for foo d . Of the
five s pe c i e s , the F a l s e Ma p Tu rtle i s r e p o rted better
eati n g . The yo u n g of both make fa i r pets, feed i n g on
c ho pped m eat and earthworms. At full g rowth they a re
9 to 1 2 i n . l o n g . Ad u l ts, havi n g stro n g jaws, feed on
MA P TURTLES

34

s n a i l s , c l a m s , i n sects, a n d oth e r water a n i m a l s . The

female, com i n g a s h o re briefly in early s u m m e r to lay
1 0 to 1 6 white e g g s , retu r n s to the water a s soon as
t h e eggs a re b u r i e d . Map t u rtl e s a re n a m e d fo r the
fai nt, yel l o w p a tte r n o n t h e c a r a p a c e . T h e lin e s a re
brighter on the head and l i m bs. The
keeled carapace and its roughly --...
toothed rear edge a re identification
m a r k s . M a l e s , s m a l l er t h a n feCommon
males, may be weaker, more ti mid.
h)

{;,;

-- - - --w;
..

-,er

35

with its hinged plastron some

w h a t r e s e m bl e s the Box T u rtl e , but c a n n ot c l o s e i ts
s h e l l tightly. It h a s webbed feet a n d lacks the hooked
b i l l of the Box T u rtl e . The p l a stron is notc h e d at the
b a c k . B l a n d i n g Turtle, 7 to 8 i n . l o n g , prefers water,
but it also lives in m a rs h es, where
it feeds o n i n sects, w o r m s , a nd
various pla nts. This shy tu rtle tames
easily and will make a good pet if
k e pt in a l a r g e , s h a l l o w pan of
water.

B LA N DING TURTLE

36

often c a l l ed Diamondback beca use of

the a n g u l a r r i n g s o n the c a ra pace pl ate, is the best
k n o w n eati n g tu rtl e . It is r a i s e d on t u rtle f a r m s , a nd
8 - i n . s pecimens sell for as h i g h as $1 0. You n g are pro
tected by law in Maryl a n d a n d N orth Carol i n a . These
t u rtles of b r a c k i s h water a n d tidewater strea m s h a v e we b b e d fe et.
The carapace is d u l l o l i ve , the plas
tron yellow. Marki n g s va ry. Females
a re l a rger. Food : s m a l l s h e l l fish,
cra bs, worms, p l a nts.
37
TERRA PIN,

EASTERN BOX TURTLE

a re land species, occasionally fou n d in

o r near water, th o u g h they a re w e l l a d a pted fo r l ife
o n l a n d . T h e y prefer m o i st, o p e n woods or s w a m ps
a n d feed o n i n sects, ea rth w o r m s , s n a i l s , f r u i ts , a nd
berries. Box Tu rtles have a h i n ged plastron which they
p u l l tight again st the carapace for complete p rotection
w h e n they a r e fri g h te n e d . T h e c a r a p a c e , 4 to 5 i n .
l o n g , i s h i g h l y a r c h e d . Of the two species of Box Tur
tles, E a stern a n d Western, the for m e r is d i v i d e d i n to
severa l s u bspecies, d isti n g uished by the s h a pe and
markings on the shells and by the number of toes
BOX TURTLES

EASTERN BOX TURTLE

(three or fou r ) on the h i n d feet. The plastron of the fe

m a l e is u s u a l l y fl at; that of the m a l e , c u rved i n w a rd .
M a l e s h a v e l o n g e r ta i l s , a n d t h e e y e of t h e m a l e i s
u s u a l l y bri g ht r e d . T h e fe m a l e h a s d a r k r e d d i s h o r
brown eyes. I n early summer the fe male buries fou r or
five round, w h i te eggs i n a s u n n y s pot. These h atch i n
a bout three m o n t h s . The yo u n g m a y h i bern ate s o o n
after, with o u t feed i n g . Yo u n g Box Turtl e s g ro w 1 /2 to
3/.i i n . yea rly for five or s i x years; then they g row
slower-about 1/4 i n . a yea r. At 5 yea rs they mate and
lay eggs; at 20 they are fu ll-grown, and they may l ive
to be as old as 80. Box Turtles have been reported l iv
i n g 25 yea rs a n d m o r e in c a ptivity. T h e y m ake fine
pets a n d m a y be kept i n a fenced
o ut door p e n o r a l l o w e d to roam
a r o u n d t h e ho u s e . I n c a ptivity,
they eat meat a n d a va ri ety of
fruits and g reens.

_ ,

39

is a smal l ( 3 to 5 i n . ) common tu rtle

with round ora nge or yellow spots o n its smooth, black
carapace. The head is colored s i m i l a rly. living i n q u iet
fresh water, t h i s t u rtle feed s o n a q uatic i n s ects, tad
poles, a n d dead fi s h , but eats o n l y when in water. It
ma kes an exce l l ent, long-l ived pet.
Feed i t meat, fis h , and bits of
l ett u c e . Th e t a i l of t h e m a l e is
a bout twice a s long a s that of the
fem a l e .

S POnED TURTLE

7- - - - - -
\-40

PACIFIC TURTLE is related a n d similar to the Eastern

S potted T u rtl e , b u t is l a r g e r - 6 to 7 i n . T h e y e l l ow
dots a n d streaks on the ca rapace a re faint. The plas
tron, concave on the male, i s yel low with dark patches
at the edges. This i s the o n l y fresh-water tu rtle of the
far West. Livi n g i n mo u nta i n l a kes
a n d in s l o w stretc h e s of streams,
Pacific Turtles feed on s m a l l water
life, i n c l u d i n g some plants. They
m a ke good pets .

i s q u i c k l y i d e ntified b y t h e
l a rge ora nge spot o n each side of the head. The dark
carapace is short (3 to 4 in.) and narrow, ma rked with
c o n c e n t r i c ri n g s . T h i s t u rt l e is sem i - a q u atic , l ivin g i n
swamps but returning to water when i n danger and
sometimes to feed. The male has
a longer tai l . Once popular as an
exc e l l e nt pet s peci es, i t is n ow
federa l l y p rotected throughout its
range; state regu lations also l i mit
possession without a permit.

MUHLENB ERG TUR T L E

r - - - - - - - -
\-42

i s recog n i ze d e a s i l y by its b r i g ht,

orange- red skin and its heavy, keeled carapace with
deep concentric g rooves. Adu lts a re 7 to 9 in. long.
They prefer moist woods, though they move into open
land to feed and, when it is d ry, to swamps and into
ponds and slow streams. They make
_

______________ ....__
fine pets (check state regulations),
"(If
and wi l l take fruit, berries and bits
of meat from your hand. Male has
heavier, longer claws, and l a rger
plates on its forelimbs.
43

WOOD T U RTLE

- . __ ,

::!

.,_IIQiifA LI ZA RDS are more l ike ancient

repti les than either s n a kes or
a l l i g ators a re . Bones of fossil
l izards have been found in rocks
formed d u ri n g the period when
the d i nosa u rs were common .
L i z a r d s a re fo u n d m a i n l y i n the
wa rmer pa rts of the wo rld, tho u g h a few s pecies l i ve as
far n orth as C a n a d a a n d F i n l a n d . Over 2 , 5 0 0 species
are k n o w n . T h e s e h a ve b e e n g r o u p e d i nto a bo u t 20
fa m i l i e s , 9 of w h i c h occ u r in the U n ited States . About
350 species are fou n d i n North America; 9 0 of these
occ u r with i n the boundaries of the United States.
A few species of l izards ( pp. 6 7-6 8 ) are sna ke-like
in a p peara n ce; they have l o n g bodies a n d have l ost
a l l traces of legs. In all other characteristics, however,
they resemble other normal l i zards, and close observa
tion easily d i sti n g u i s hes them from s n a kes. Lizards are
typically fou r-legged, with five toes on each foot. They
have scaly skins. On the u n derside the sca l e s form sev
eral or m a n y rows, in contrast to s n a kes, which have
o n l y a s i n g l e row of scal es.
Salama n ders ( pp. 1 37- 1 5 3 ) a re someti mes mistaken
for lizards. S a l a m a nders have smooth s k i n s , l i ve in
moist places, have less than five toes on the front feet.
Lizards u s u a l l y have mova ble eyelid s ( s n a kes have
not) a n d an ear ope n i n g on the s i de of the h e a d . Most

Belly Scales-LIZARDS

44

Belly Scales-SNAKES

l a y e g g s , t h o u g h in
a few cases the eggs
deve l o p i n s i d e the
moth e r ' s body a nd
the you n g a re born
a l ive. T h e m al es and
fe males a re a l i ke i n many species; in oth er species
they a re d iffere n t i n size and color. Many l i z a rds
feed o n i n s e cts a n d oth e r small a n i m a l s , such as
those i l l u strated on this page, but a few s pecies
feed on plant materia l . They recognize their prey
by its movement and gr a sp it with l i g h tn i n g- l i ke
speed . lizards can ru n ra pidly-the fastest has
been clocked at about 1 5 miles per hour. Most can
swi m . Some desert species move throu g h the sand
j u st below the s u rface with a swi m m i n g move m ent.
lizards a re not easily caught, but those that are
m a ke rea sonably good pets . They can be kept in
terra ria o r wi re cages. Cover the botto m of the
cage with a heavy layer of sand; set a dish of
water and a few rocks i n it. Feed l i z a rds meal
worms, fli es, small earthworms, or other l ive food .
Anoles and Horned li z a rd s are c o m m on pets;
others m a y eat better, however. leave the venamous G i l a-mon ster ( p. 69) alone, even thou g h it
may not be so dangerous as poisonous snakes.

CENTIPEDE

FLY

GECKOS

are unusually attractive lizards, recognized

by their large, often lidless eyes with vertical pupils.

The skin, usually covered with fine, beaded scales, is
almost transparent. Most have enlarged, padded toes.
Geckos live around houses or on trees, feeding on
small insects. They are nocturnal. Geckos lay two to
three or more small white eggs with brittle shells dur
ing summer. Some tropical species have become nat
uralized in Florida. Geckos are docile and rarely bite.
Their tails break off easily. Tubercular and Ground
Geckos are our only native species. The Least Gecko
probably came to Florida from the West Indies, while
the Turkish Gecko originally came from North Africa.

( 2 s i m i l a r species) are western

l i zards (4 to 5 i n . l o n g). Ta i l s are a bout h a l f the body
l e n gth but have u s u a l l y broken and regrown s h o rter.
G r o u n d G e c k o s l i v e in r o c k y o r s a n d y d e s e rts a nd
l ower mounta i n slopes. They come out at n i g h t to feed
on s m a l l i n sects a n d , i n tun, a re
;;;
eaten by s n a ke s a n d l a rger l i zards.
t,:
They h i bern ate fro m Oct. to May
{S'if'
b u t are c o m m o n oth e r months.
Other
.<;;rund
T h ey never bite, ta m e q ui c k l y and
d o well i n ca ptivity.
1.

GROUND GECKOS

- - - - ""

Geckos

47

or AMERICAN CHA MELEON, common and

attractive, can change color, ofte n match i n g its back
g r o u n d of l eaves o r b r a n c h e s , where i t feasts o n in
s e cts. T h i s is the "c h a m e l e o n " s o l d a t fai rs a n d cir
cuses. Kept as a pet, it needs l ive food . Anoles wi l l lap
u p water sprinkled on plants. Ma les
h a ve a fl a p of s k i n o n thei th roat.
E g g s ( t w o o r t h r e e ) , l a i d i n s u m
m e r.u n d e r m o i s t d e b r i s , h at c h i n
a b out s i x wee k s . True c h a m eleons
a re Old World l i z a rds.

ANOLE

48

( 1 6 i n . l o n g ) is, next to the Gila

monster (p. 69), o u r l a rgest l i z a rd . It feeds o n flowers
a n d fruit of cactus a n d tender pa rts of desert p l a nts,
a n d u s u a l l y eats w e l l in c a ptivity. C h u c k w a l l a s s un
themselves on rocks but, when disturbed, d a rt i nto
crevices, w h e re t h e y i nf l a te t h e i r

bodies and a re d ifficult to remove.

I n d i a n s used to eat the m . The
'(5
yo u n g h a v e b a n d s a c r o s s b o dy
a n d tai l ; the a d u lts h ave tai l ba nds
o n l y.
49
CHUCKWA L LA

-- ------------

A
_.

DESERT IGUANA

or

CRESTED LIZARD, a

handsome

spotted species of open deserts, lives in burrows under

sparse shrubs. Entirely vegetarian, it feeds on tender
desert plants. Desert Iguana is fairly large

(12

to

15

in. ), but its tail is almost twice its body length. It runs
--- - -- --

/{;
?

- --

'{5

rapidly, is wary and hard to catch.

Each has its own territory for feeding; here the female lays her eggs.
Males have a reddish patch on
each side of the tail.

50

SPINY

and

TRUE IGUANA,

representing two groups

of large American lizards, are not found in the United

States, but come to within

1 00 miles of our border. They

1 0 or 1 1 species of Spiny

are often seen in zoos. About

or False Iguana

(1

to 4ft. long) live on the ground in

lower California, Mexic;o, and farther south into Cen

tral America. The True Iguana (4to 6ft. long) lives in
tropical trees. Both are favorite foods of the Indians.
Both Spiny and True Iguanas are herbivorous. Other
Iguanas live in the Galapagos Islands and West Indies.

51

The black col

l a r m a r k s the C o l l a re d L i z a rd; s o d o e s its l o n g ta i l,
pl u mp body, t h i n neck, a n d relatively l a rge head .
Males are more bri g htly colored, with a ti n g e of
o r a n g e a n d y e l l o w . The body is 4 to 5 i n . l o n g ; the
tail twice that. C o l l a red Lizards, fa irly c o m m o n in
rocky a reas, feed o n i n sects a n d small lizards. Wa ry,
they can ru n swiftly on their hind leg s . Collared Lizards
bite when captu red a n d do not l ive wel l when caged .
A s pec i e s of t h e l o w e r R i o G r a n d e v a l l ey, n ot well
known, lacks the black collar. The Leopard Lizard,
CO L LA RED and L EOPARD LIZARD

52

s omewhat l i ke the Collared Liza rd i n form a n d s i ze, is

m o re spotted a n d has a n a rrower head and body. It
p r efers fl a t, s a n d y a r e a s with s o m e v e g etati o n . As
fo od it ta k e s i n s e cts a n d l i z a rd s , a n d o fte n e a ts its
own kind. Oddly, fe males develop a deep s a l m o n color
o n the i r u n dersides at the c l ose of
the breed i n g season. They lay 2 to
4eggs, which hatch in a month or
so. Beca u s e Leopa rd L i z a rd s a re
vicious, they do not make satisfac
tory pets.
53

CLIMBING and GROUND UTAS a re related g roups.

The former prefer trees and rocks, where thei r dull col
o r gives protecti o n . Their i r re g u l a r-sized scales a re a
field cha racteri stic. Males a re pale blue on the u nder
s i d e n e a r the back l e g s ; fe m a l es l a c k t h i s c o l o r . The
a d u lts a re s m a l l (5 to 6 i n .). G r o u n d Utas are s m a l l
stri ped o r speckled l i z a rds l i vi n g i n rocky p l aces and
feed i n g on s m a l l i n sects. These very co m m o n l i z a rds
vary somewhat with the i r s u rrou n d i n g s . Both C l i mbing
and Ground Utas a re relatively easy to catch at night,
when they a re l ess active than in the dayti me.

EARLESS SAND LIZARD

i n c l u d e five med i u m-sized (6 to 8

i n . ) l i z a rd s a l l p referri n g s a n d y terra i n . T w o of the
s pecies i l l u strated a re at t h e i r best i n the sand d u nes
of the Cal ifo r n i a and Arizona d eserts. All h a ve a skin
fold across the u nderside, i n front of the forelegs.
Legs and toes a re l o n g . T a i l s a re
a bout body l e n gth a n d a re often i"b;;:,:------- ....
tailed
m a rked with b l ack b a rs u n der
'() "[7
,.}
Earless
n eath . Sand Lizards a re active a nd
,.}

not easily caught. They a l l feed on

s ma l l i nsects .
55

S A N D LIZARDS

for m a l a rge g r o u p of c o m m o n liz a r d s , in

c l u d i n g F e n c e , S pi n y, a n d S c a l y l i z a r d s . S o m e 30
forms ( s pecies and subs pecies ) live in the U nited States,
a l most t h ree times as many farther south . The la rgest
have bodies about 5 in. long, ta i l s slightly l o nger. All
a re a ctive in d a ylig ht, s pe n d i n g the n i g ht i n c r a c ks,
c revices, or on branches. Some s pecies l a y eggs;
o t h e r s b e a r 6 to 12 yo u n g a live. H e a d , b o d y , a nd
l i m b forms a re g uides to the entire Swift group, once
you learn the m . These lizards lack the skin fold across

SWIFTS

56

the throat that S a n d liz a r d s ( p . 5 5 ) a n d s i mil a r s pe

cies h a v e . S o m e S wifts a re b l u e o r b l ue-patc h e d on
the u ndersi des; this is more prono u n ced in m a l e s . De
tai l ed identificatio n may be d i ffic u lt. Swifts, g ood
climbers, a re often fou n d in trees, o n boulders, a mong
rocks. True to their name, they a re
p
h a rd to catch . Their food is main ly
-------------->-J'(
s m a l l i nsects . They do well in cap'{5 .
tivity if given live food but are not
es peci a l l y g ood pets .
57

DESERT HORNED LIZARD

HORNED LIZARDS

are unique. These odd, flattened

creatures are found o nly in the West and in Mexico.

The o nly 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 fou nd in dry,
sandy areas, where they lie on rocks or half buried in
the sand. When an insect appears, a quick s nap of
the lizard's tongue takes care of it. Some species lay

20

to

30

eggs; in others up to a doz e n you ng are

born alive. In one species eggs hatch in o nly 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
_
w hic h 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

OIIA NnE NIGHT LIZAID

a re mottled, med i u m-sized l i za rds.

B oth body a n d tail a r e a b o u t 3 i n . l o n g . They live in
a reas of g ra nite, behind the loose-scaled fla kes of
rock or under fa l le n sta l ks of yucca. N ote the ve rtica l
pupil i n the eye and lack of eye-lids . Horizontal rows of
p l ates cross t h e b e l l y . T h e fou r
kinds a re nocturnal, s pending the
d a y in s h e ltered croc k s . Yo ung
(two o r three a t a ti m e ) o r e born
olive. The food i s beetles and other
s m a l l insects.

NIGHT LIZARDS

60

SKINKS Some 20
species of Skinks
are fou n d i n the
U nited States; n o
other l i z a rd s have
so wide a range.
They a re the only lizards
North have ever seen . All are small to moderate
s i z e . The body l e n gth is not u s u a l l y m o r e th a n 5 i n
t h e tai l n o t m u c h over 6 i n . Most S k i n k s a r e s m a l ler.
Skinks can be reco g n i z e d by the i r s mooth, flat scales,
which prod uce a g lossy, s i l ky a ppearance. Most have
s hort legs, and i n one ( p . 64) the legs a re degenerate,
but most a re swift runners. A l l burrow occasional ly, for
S ki n ks, i n g e n e r a l , a re g r o u n d l i z a rd s . Active d u ring
warm days, S ki n ks f e e d m a i n l y o n i n sects, s p i d e rs,
worms, and perhaps s m a l l vertebrates. They h ibernate
a l l wi nter i n the g r o u n d or under logs. The most com
mon Skink m ates d u r i n g May. Eggs, 6 to 1 8 , a re laid
a bout s i x weeks l ater. The mother spends the next six
o r seven w e e k s b r o o d i n g her e g g s ti l l they h atch,
s o m eth i n g u n u s u a l fo r l i z a rd s . T h e yo u n g a r e o n ly
a bout a n i n c h l o n g .
Skinks c a n be roughly identified b y the m a rkings o n
th e i r b a c k s . Most c o m m o n i n t h e E a s t a r e t h e fi ve
l i n e d S k i n ks , whi c h have five l i g h t l i nes fro m head to
ta i l . Lines a re clearer in younger ani mals. In the West,
fo u r- l i n e d S ki n ks a re c o m m o n . Other Ski n ks h ave eight
l i n es , two l i n es , o r n o l i n e s at a l l .
They a re n o t e a s i l y caught but will
d o wel l in c a pti vity if l i ve food
m e a l w o r m s , a nt l a rvae, o r beetle
g r u b s - a re a va i l a bl e . Keep in a
terrari u m with rocks u n d e r which
they can h i d e .

61

GREATER FIVE-LINED SKINK

are s i m i l a r to th e other
s k i n ks j ust noted. The Brown Ski n k (2 i n . long, with
l o n g e r ta i l ) has a transparent d i s k in the eye l i d . Nota ble
a l so a re the s m ooth, flat scales and the broa d , brown
b a n d s down the s i d e s . This s ki n k prefers wooded moist
p l a ces; it l ays its e g g s i n h u m u s or rotted wood . It is
a n active l i zard, most commonly fou n d on the g round,
often h i d i n g under l eaves. The Sand Skink is a bu rrow
i n g lizard about 2 i n . long, with legs small and degen
erate, especi a l l y the forelegs. N o other l izard has legs
q u i te l i ke it. It i s fo u n d i n pine woods, i n d ry o r sa ndy
soils.

BRO WN and SAN D S KIN K S

r- - - -
\
64

SAND SKINK

SIX-LINED WHIPTAIL LIZARD

WHIPTAIL LIZA RDS or Racerunners, a very d iverse

group, give the experts trouble. One of the most com
mon and wides pread i s the 6-l i ned species, somewhat
s k i n k- l i ke i n a p pearance. Its body l e ngth i s a bout 3 i n . ;
ta i l at l east twi ce a s l o n g . These l i zards a re fo u n d in
many d ry local ities, feedi n g during
the d a y o n i nsects, worms, a nd
s n a i l s . Oth er Wh i ptai l s are c heck
ered or s potte d . They a re more
common i n the West.

n a m e d for th e i r s h a pe and
h eavy s c a l e s , a re s l ow, d u l l -c o l o r e d , s o l ita ry, with a
b a n d e d o r s p e c k l e d b a c k . T h e y a r e fa i r l y l a r g e ( 1 0
i n . ) . Some species lay eggs; i n others the 2 to 1 5 young
a re born a l ive. They feed o n i n sects a n d s p id e rs and,
in turn, a re the food of l a rger rep
ti les, m a m m a l s , and b i r d s . A l l i ga
t o r lizards do well i n ca ptivity, b u t
t h e y fi g h t w h e n s e v e r a l a r e i n a
cage together. Males m a y bite
p a i n fu l l y .

ALLIGATOR LIZARDS,

are of three c l o s e l y s i m ilar

s pecies - l i m b l ess, somewhat s n a k e l i ke, 2 to 3 ft. long.
Ear o p e n i n g s , eyelids, and many rows of belly s c a les
procl a i m t h e m to be true lizards. The very l o n g tai l
breaks o ff m o r e e a s i l y t h a n that o f othe r l i z a rd s . It may
brea k off when the a n i m a l i s cap
tu red or rou g h l y h a n d l e d . The tail,
of co u rse, c a n not rej o i n the body,
but a new, shorter tai l grows in its
place. These l i zards feed on i nsects .
They may bite when h a n d l e d .
67
GLASS -S N A K E LIZARDS

WORM and FOOTLESS LIZARDS a r e two s m a l l b u r

rowing species. The former ( u p to 1 0 i n . long, o n l y 1/4 i n .
thick), found i n sa n d y s o i l of pi n e w o o d s , h a s d i sti n ct
rings which make it look much l i ke a large e a rthworm.
It is l i m bless, ea rless, and blind. The Footless lizard of
Ca l i fornia, which i s even s m a l ler
( 6 i n . ), has s m a l l eyes b ut i s e a r
less and l i m bless. Two forms occu r,
ess
one of w h i c h is s i l very , t h e other
b l a c k . T h e s e l i z a r d s d e p e n d on
s m a l l i n sects fo r their food .
_ _ _ _ ___ ___

.,

68

.._

our o n l y poisonous l i z a rd , g rows u p

t o 2 ft. l o n g . The poison, fro m modified s a l i va ry g l a nds
i n the l o we r j a w, i s not i nj ected and m a y n ot e nter the
wound when the l i z a rd bites . U s u a l l y slow and c l u msy,
G i l a - m o n sters c a n twi st t h e i r h e a d s , bite s w i ftly, a nd
h a n g o n str o n g l y . L e a v e t h e m to
6
t h e e x p e rt s . G i l a - m o n sters l i ve

------/
under rocks a n d i n b u rrows by day.
'{)
They feed o n eggs, m ice, a n d other
l i z a rd s . T h e 6 to 1 2 eggs h a tch i n '
a bout a m o n th .
69

GILA -MONSTER,

Skull of Non-poisonous Snake

Eastern Racer

Skull of Poisonous Snake

Cottonmouth

SNA K ES a r e t h e best- k n o w n re pti l e s . Of s o m e 2 50

species a n d s u bs pecies fou n d i n the U . S . , 3 6 p roduce
poi son which can harm man. I n few places a re poison
o u s s n a kes co m m o n , a n d death fro m s n a k e bite is a
rarity. Al l s n a kes e xcept Bl i n d S n a kes have l a rge scales
a cross the belly. Besides lacki n g l i m bs, they also lack
e a r o p e n i n g s and eye l i ds that move. Each side of the
s n a ke ' s lower jaw moves separately, enabl i n g it to swa l
low prey l a rg e r th a n its normal mo uth s i z e . Teeth are
small a n d hooked. The larger fa ngs of poisonous s pecies
a re g rooved or hollow.
The s n a k e ' s l o n g , forked tongue is h a r m l ess. It
s e rves a s a s i m pl e ki n d of feel er and " s m e l l e r . " The
ton g u e can not s m e l l but does b ri n g odorous p a rticles
i nto the mouth a n d i nto co ntact with smel l-sensiti ve
o r g a n s there. These
s u pplem ent the sensa
tions the s n a ke receives

Head of Scarlet King

Snake (showing tongue
attachment and teeth)

70

Copperhead at Birth
Eggs of Red King Snake

through its nostri l s . Sna kes do not hear as

we d o; their e nti re b o d y picks u p v i b ra
tions th rou g h the g ro u n d . The eyesight of
s n a kes is fai rl y good, though thei r eyes
are not as wel l adjusted for distance as
ours. Some can see very wel l at n i g ht.
Snakes feed on l ive a n i m a l s: i nsects, worms,
frogs, mice, rats, and rabbits - mostly a n i mals
harmful to man. Some s n a kes lay eggs; the young
of others a re born al ive. S n a kes may h ave a bout
a dozen you n g at a ti m e a n d occasional l y a s many
as 99. The mother gives them n o ca re a fter bi rth;
the you n g fend for t h e m s e l ves a n d grow ra pidly.
Most of them double thei r size i n one year and a re
full g rown i n two or th ree years. I n growi ng,
s n a kes shed thei r ski n s at l east once a n d often
several ti mes a year.
Although s n a kes a re kept a s pets by some
people, they a re not very i ntel l i g e nt. They are
u n u s u a l , attractive-even bea utifu l . S o m e s pe
cies are easy to ta m e a n d n ever attem pt to bite.
Only a few wi l l eat wel l in ca ptivity. live food is
u s u a l l y needed.

71

sometimes cal led Worm S n a kes be

c a u s e of t h e i r c o l o r a n d s i z e ( 8 to 1 2 i n .), a r e truly
blind. They may come to the su rface at n ight. Most are
found under stones or i n d i g g i n g . They eat worms and
i n s ect l a rv a e . C a ptive s p eci m e n s never bite. They bur
r o w ra p i d l y w h e n s a n d o r s o i l is
put i n the cage. The three similar
s p e c i e s a r e the o n l y A m e ri c a n
s n a kes with out l a r g e bel l y s c a l es.
Blind Snakes lay eggs. They are
rel atives of the Boa s .

B LIND SNA K ES,

72

are n ot a l l l a rg e tro p i c a l s n a ke s . Two s pecies

l i ve n o rth of M e x i c o . The Rosy o r C a l i fo r n i a Boa, a n
attractive, docile, s m a l l-sca led constrictor, m a kes a fine
p et. It l i ve s in d ry, rocky footh i l ls, feed i n g m a i n l y on
rodents . The grayish Rubber Boa, also heavy-bodied,
has a short, blunt ta i l which it dis
111; ./
pl ays l i ke a head while its real
,:"" "

h ead i s p rotected by the coi l s of its / u):\

'{) '15
body. It g rows up to 2 ft. l o n g ; the
Rosy Boa is larger ( 3 ft. ). Both bear
l i ve yo u n g .

BOA S

. . . . . . . . . ...

A.
.:

73

i s a h a n d so m e s pe c i e s . Stri pes
v a ry from ora n g e to red . The underside i s red with a
d o u b l e row of b l a c k s pots . This s n a k e of swa m p y re
g i o n s ofte n b u rrows a n d i s not co m m o n l y s ee n . It is
s m a l l e r (40 i n . ) t h a n t h e c l o s e l y r e l a te d Mud S n a ke
( p . 75 ) a n d l i ke it has a sharp
" s p i n e " at the e n d of its ta i l . li ttle
is known of its l ife h istory and feed
i n g h a bits. The f e m a l e l a ys 20 or
m o re e g g s , w h i c h h a t c h i n a b out
60 days.

RAINBOW SNA K E

74

(two s i m i l a r forms) a re the s u bject of

m a ny s u p e rstiti o n s . The s p i k e o r sti n g e r o n the ta i l is
s a i d to be p o i s o n o u s . T h i s s n a ke , a l s o c a l l ed H oop
S n a ke, i s s u p p o s e d to g r a s p its ta i l i n its m o uth and
roll down the roa d . Such ta les a bout the h a r m l ess, at
tractive, s m a l l-headed Mud Snakes
a re u ntrue . These bu rrowi ng swamp
s n a kes feed o n fish and frogs, espe
c i a l l y o n S i r e n s a n d C o n g o-eels
( p p . 1 3 9 - 1 4 0 ) . Length, 4 to 6 ft.;
lays 20 to 80 o r more eggs.
MUD SNA K E S

75

. .

'

Northern

.. /

' "'

Southern

Mississi ppi

Pra

(three species) a re s m a l l ( 1 2
to 1 8 i n . ), common, attractive snakes living in moist
w o o d s u n d e r rocks or fa l l e n logs, w h e r e t h e y feed on
s m a l l i n se cts and worms. They lay eggs w h i c h hatch i n
a bout two m o n t h s . Recog nize these s n a kes by t h e i r sl ate
gray color and the yellow-to-ora nge
ri n g behind the head. The u n derside
is yellow, o range, o r red, sometimes
s potted . They may secrete a s melly
fl ui d when captured, but soon tame.
Ca ptives eat poorly.

RING-N E C K ED SNA KES

slender and harm less, l ive in g reen

ery w h e re they a re h a r d to see. The s m a l l e r s p e c ies
( 1 5 to 1 8 i n . ) with s m ooth sca les prefers open g rassy
p l a ce s . The other, w h i c h g rows twice as l o n g , has a
rough a ppearance due to a ridge or keel on each scale.
Often fo u n d i n bushes and vi n es,
th i s o n e fee d s o n i n sects. E g g s of
both species hatch i nto dark young
which g rad u a l l y turn green . Green
S n a kes a re d o c i l e, but a s n either
eats wel l , they l a n g u i s h in ca ptivity.

GREEN SNA K ES,

- - - ..

77

CONE-NOSED SNAKE

( Text

78

0n

page 80)

BLACK SWAMP SNAKE

-- .

__ _ _

_ _ __ _

_ _ ....

f.
/'
(
---------------"'-
'(5 '-y

Sharptailed

Striped
Swamp

STRIPED SWAMP SNAKE

( Text

on

page 80)

S M A L L E R , L E S S C O M M O N , H A R M L E S S S N A K ES
( Illustrations on Pages 78 and 79 )
CON E - NOS ED SNA K ES ( 1 0 to 1 2 i n . ) a re two wood

l a n d s p e c i e s a l s o c a l l ed G r o u n d S n a k e s . B r o w n i s h or
g ra y a bove; s o m e with s m a l l b l a c k dots. Food : s m a l l
in sects a n d wo rms. You ng a re b o r n a l ive.
S HORT-TAILED SNA K E ( 1 8 to 24 i n . ) is l i ke a small
Red Ki n g S n a ke. An agg ressive, b u rrowi n g , upland
s n a ke, it kills small prey, often other s n a kes, by con
strictio n . Ta i l i s very short.
GROUN D SNA K ES ( 1 0 to 1 5 i n . ) are two s m a l l ba nded
s pecies of vari a b l e color a n d pattern, s i m i l a r b u t not
related to Sha rp-ta i led . Food : i nsects, s p iders, etc.
SHO V EL - NOS ED SNA K E ( 1 2 to 1 6 i n . ) i s a g round
snake ( two species) s l i g htly l a rger than Grou n d S na kes
a n d related to th e m . S n out proj ecti n g but fl a tte n ed . A
yellowish, e g g - l a y i n g sand b u rrowe r.
BLA C K SWAM P S NA K E ( 1 2 to 1 6 i n . ) i s thick
bod ied, red-bel li ed , swa m p-lovi n g . Bl ack b a r o n each
bel l y scale. Young born a l ive. Food : probably fi sh, frogs.
STRI PED S WA M P S N A K E ( 1 8 to 24 i n . ) i s a q u atic,
living i n holes and tunnels a l on g d itches and in swamps.
Food : m a i n l y crayfish and frogs . Young are born alive.
S H A R P - TAIL ED S N A K E ( 1 2 to 1 6 i n . ) i s so mewhat
sto ut. Little i s known of its ha bits. N ote t h e l i g ht yel
low stri pe on sides, black bands on yel low belly scales.
SAND S NA K E I 1 0 to 1 4 i n . ) i s a bu rrower i n d esert
s a n d s . Crawls j ust below the s u rface, aided by a broad ,
hea vy s n o ut. Y e l l o w to red, with d a r k b a n d s a l m ost
e n c i rcl i n g bo d y . S c a l e s s m a l l a n d s h i n y . Life h i story
l a rgely u n known . Said to eat ant l a rvae.
80

HOG-NOSED SNA K E is unique

a n d a m u s i n g . W h e n m o l ested, it
h i sses, s p re a d s , a n d stri kes, as
though to a p p e a r d a n gerous, but
it never bites. I f th reats fa i l , it rolls
over and plays d e a d . B ec a u s e of
its ferocious puffi n g , this h a r m l ess snake is sometimes
c a l l e d Puff Ad d e r . The h a rd , turned-up nose h e l p s i n
bu rrowi n g after toads, w h i c h a re t h e preferred food of
these sna kes, often m a k i n g up their enti re diet. The
H o g - n osed S n a k e l a ys a b o ut two d o z e n e g g s in s u m
m e r . They a re g e n t l e s n a ke s a nd
d o w e l l i n c a pti vity, i f to a d s a re
a v a i l a b l e a s food . Three si milar
species, a l l h eavi ly bui lt. Common
Hog-nosed S n a ke, 2 to 3 ft. long,
is the la rgest.
81

FANGED NIGHT SNAKE

- - - - <>-1-

Western
Hooknosed
Fa ng ed
Night

82

-- - - - - 1-''
Vme

( Text

on

Page 84)

Blacktn ped

BLACK
STRIPED
SNAKE

( Text

on

( .

Page 84 )

. , Texas
Ho,ok-r\osed
. .,.,,
"'

83

OTH E R L ESS COMMON SNAKES

( I ll ustrations on Pages 8 2 - 8 3 )

(to 4 ft. o r m ore) i s a

b u s h-dwel l e r of s e m i - a r i d r e g i o n s , very
slender. Longer, na rrower h e a d t h a n other
A m e r i c a n s n a kes. Red d i s h- b r o w n ; wh ite
l i n e down bel ly. Food: l i za rds.
VINE SNA K E *

is a
blotched, egg-laying burrower resembling a
m i n iatu re H o g-nosed S n a ke ( 1 0 to 1 2 i n . ) but i s not kin.
WESTERN HOOK- NOS ED SNA K E

(to 3 0 i n . ), w i d e- h e a ded,
s l e n d e r, i s a n egg-l ayer. It feeds on both i nv e rtebrates
a n d s m a l l vertebrates. Ofte n found in trees a n d bushes.

FANG ED NIGHT SNA K E *

( 1 2 to 1 4 i n . ) are a l a rge
g ro u p of secretive or bu rrowi n g , e g g - l a yi n g s pecies.
All but one have a black head ca p .

FLAT-HEAD E D SNA K ES *

( 1 2 t o 1 6 i n . ) has a yellow
u p pe r l i p . B a c k reddish-brown, b el l y yel l o w . An egg
l a ye r of s wa m ps, fou n d under logs and d e b r i s . Food:
frogs, toads, i n sects.
Y ELLOW-LIPPED SNAKE

( 1 0 to 1 2 i n . ), re
lated to the Western, is su b-trop i c a l , with a l a rger
s h ovel-snout than the Western but with s i m i l a r ha bits.
Ashy g ray with g ray and black cross bands.

T E XAS HOO K-NOS ED S NA K E

( 1 0 to 1 3 i n . ), widely occurri n g , is a
b u rrower, rarely seen. Shi ny, smooth scales. An egg
layer; feeds on ea rthworms. Found i n wood s .

WORM SNA KE

BLA C K -STRI P E D SNA K E * ( 1 6 to 2 0 i n . ) i s a n ight

s n a ke . Feeds on frogs, toads, l i z a r d s . A n eg g - l ayer
and g ro u nd-dwell er. Rare; more c o m m o n in tropical
America.
* Species with weak venom and smal l , fixed, grooved fan g s i n rear of

up per jaw.

84

a re a g g ressive a n d gra cefu l . E a ste r n forms,

avera g i n g 4 ft. , a re s mooth, bl ue-bl ack, with wh ite chin
and throat. Western fo rm, s m a l l er, i s g ree n i s h o r yel
lowish brown, belly and chi n lig hter. Both a re very ac
tive, at h o m e in b u s h e s and trees. Food : s m a l l m a m
mals, b i r d s , i n sects, frogs, l i zards, other sna kes. Tropic
Racer, speckled, occurs only i n southern t i p of Texas.
RACERS

- 1\
------w.
;r
B l ue
_,

.:lack

85

a re c l o s e l y re
lated to the Racers, but thinner and longer. Those i l l us
trated represent two g ro u ps-one typical of the East,
o n e of t h e West. T h e for m e r a r e a v a ri a b l e b r o wn
(some a re red or p i n ki s h ) , darker at the head, becom
ing lig hter toward the ta i l . Coachwh i p is the l a rgest of
th e g ro u p; s o m e over 7 ft. l o n g h ave been reported .
Western species a re u s u a l l y 4 to 5 ft. l o n g . These are
ty p i c a l l y stri ped with ye l l o w o n t h e s i d es a g a i nst a
dark back; the bel ly is usually l i ghter. Severa l of these
are desert forms, but all are active d u ring the day.
C OA CHWHI P and WHI PSNA K ES

86

All are a l ert a n d fast. They feed on m ice, l i z a rd s , and

s m a l l s nakes, movi n g r a p i d l y over sand o r through
brush after thei r prey. They d o not k i l l by constriction,
a s some people bel i eve. Too swift to be ca u g ht easi ly,
when they a re c a u g h t these s n a kes wi l l stri ke a n d wil l
th rash their t h i n , l o n g ta i l s r a p i dly.
p,
They n ever ta m e e n o u g h to m a ke
------->/'(
--g o o d pets. E i g ht t o 1 2 e g g s a re a kes
'{5 'il
l a i d i n early s u m mer, each a bout 1
by 1 1h i n . F o u r s pecies of these
s n a kes l ive in t h i s c o u ntry.
87
___

PA TC H -NO S E D SNA K E S, relatives (th ree species) of

Racers ( p . 8 5 ), are as fast and active. O n the move day
or n i g h t, t h e y like any terra i n . T h e b l u n t s h i e l d over
the nose p l u s the ye l l ow a n d brown stripes down the
s n a ke ' s back g ive positive identificati o n . Adu lts are
a bout 3 ft. l o n g . lizards a n d other
s m a l l desert l i fe are eate n . Fe males
lay eggs. The nose may help i n
burrowi n g i n s a n d . Rear t e e t h are
e n l a rged but venom seems a bsent.

88

s m a l l relatives of the Patch

n os e s , h a v e an eve n m o re e x a g g e rated n o s e p i ece.
Once considered very rare, they are fa i rly c o m m on in
the deserts a t n i g ht. T h e two s pecies a re m a rked by
dark blotches. Both a re moderately stout, 1 2 to 1 5 i n .
l o n g . They a re pugnacious, coi ling

a nd stri k i n g when c a u g ht, but are

harmless. They a re egg-layers, and
a re reported to feed o n d e sert l i z
a r d s o r l i z a rd e g g s .
L EAF-NOSED SNA KES,

89

i n c l u d e five l a rge species, common and

w i d e l y d i stri b uted i n the E a st and M i d d l e West. The
colors d i ffer from s pecies to species, m a k i n g i d entifica
ti on e a s i e r . A l l a re fast, active sna kes. W h e n c a ught
t h e y m a y bite fre e l y and excrete a fou l - s m el l i n g fl u id
from g l a n d s at the base of the tai l . They te nd to ta me
down i n ca ptivity and m a k e fa i r pets . All rat s n a kes
a re con strictors. Me mbers of this g ro u p have been
known by d iverse common names which a re often m is
lead i n g . N a mes u sed here a re true r to the s n a kes.
The B l a c k Rat S n a ke, a l s o known a s the P i l ot B l a c k

RAT SNA K ES

S n a ke, m a y be m i staken for the B l a c k Racer ( p . 85).

The Black Rat Snake has some scales tipped with white
- re m a i n s of a p a tte rn of b l otches seen m o re c l e a rly
i n the young of all m e m bers of this g ro u p . The scales
a re s l i g htly keeled; those of the B l a c k Racer a re not.
The Gray Rat Sna ke, a more southern form, has
bl otches of gray or brown a g a i nst a l ighter background.
The Yel low Rat S n a ke (Stri ped Chicken S n a ke) av
erages 4 to 5 ft. l o n g a n d may someti mes reach 7 ft.
It is d u l l -or ol ive yel l o w with fo u r black l i nes down its
back. Often fou n d a r o u n d barns a n d sta b l es, it is l ook
ing for rats more often than for fowl .

91

CORN and FOX SNA KES are more colorful members

of the rat snake g ro u p . Corn Snake ( ofte n found in corn
fields) i s better known a s Red Rat Snake beca use of the
reddish-brown or c r i m s o n blotches a g ai nst the l i g hter
backgroun d . A very s i m i l a r western form lacks the red
c o l or. Red Rat S n a k e does not grow as l a rge as Yel
low Rat Snake but it exhi bits (as do the others) a pat
ter n of hissing a n d vi brati ng its sharp tai l when cor
n e red or molested. The Fox Snake has the s a m e build
a s the other rat sna kes but is somewhat heavier. It av-

92

e rages 3 to 4 ft. long, with brow n i s h b l otc h e s a g a inst

a straw-ye l l o w base color. Found in woods and o pen
c o u ntry, it i s less of a cl i m be r t h a n oth e r rat s n a kes.
All rat sna kes l a y eggs, often i n rotted logs or stu mps.
The yo u n g , b l otc h e d in color, may d iffer m u c h from
a d u lts . Red Rat S n a k e and Fox
P,.
Snake a re reported to ta m e better,
VJ
to feed better i n ca ptivity, a n d to

m a ke bette r pets th a n other m e mbers of the g r o u p .

-F-oxSn- - ""- t
-<>.'-

93

8 ft. l o n g h a ve b e e n r e p o rted.
Thus they a re a mong the l a rgest North American
s n a kes. Rel ated South American forms are even la rger.
This heavy, h a n d s o m e , shiny, m i d n i g ht- b l u e , fast racer
feeds on s m a l l m a m m a l s and oth er snakes. I t is often
fo u n d i n b u r r o w s of g o p h e rs or
r a b b i t s . T h e I n d i g o S n a ke ta mes
easily i n ca ptivity, and does well if
it can be made to eat. This i s the
harml ess s n a ke that " s na k e c h a rm
ers" at the circus ofte n h a n d l e .

INDI GO SNA K ES

94

or FA DED SNA K E i s related a n d s o mewhat

s i m i l a r to the B u l l S n a kes (p. 96). It has s mooth scales,
while B u l l S n a kes a re keeled. These s m ooth , shiny
scales a re respons i b l e fo r the Glossy S n a ke ' s common
name. B lotched , s potted, and g ray-brown , these snakes
a re slender, with n a rrow heads.
_
T h e y a re c o n st r i c t o r s , f e e d i n g on
l i z a rd s , ro d e n t s , a n d ot h e r s m a l l
a n i m a l s . They l a y e g g s a n d a re
noctu rna l . Ad u l ts avera ge 30 to 36
in. long .

GLOSSY

95

PINE SNAKE

are fo u n d from coast to coast. These

large, heavy s n a kes avera g e 5 ft. long and grow u p
t o 7 ft. They a re the most co mmon constrictors, widely
known a s d estroyers of rodents. B u l l S n a k e s h ave a
heavy nose plate , ada pted for b urrowi n g . All hiss very
l o u d l y when a n gered a n d w i l l strike to defe n d them
selves. But they ta me down when ca ptured ( especia lly
the western forms), a n d some m a ke excel lent pets . The
Pine Snake i s an eastern form of the Bull Snake, named
for its favorite ha bitat-southern pine woods . It is rela
tively l i g ht-c o l o re d with l a r g e b l a c k p a tc h e s on the
back. Its food i s s m a l l rabbits, s q u irrels, rats, a nd mice.
BULL SNA K ES

F a rt h e r west, t h e B u l l S n a k e i s m o re c o m m o n . It is
m o re yellowish than the P i n e S n a ke and h a s a l a rger
n u m be r of dark blotc h e s . I t often enters b u rrows to kill
a n d feed o n pocket gophers a n d g r o u n d s q u i rrel s . The
Pacific Coast forms, known a s Gopher Snakes are similar to the B u l l S n a k e but s m a l l er
6.
a n d with m o re blotc h e s . A l l s n a kes
/'(
i n t h i s g ro u p s h o u l d be p r otected h
a g a i nst wa nton k i l l i n g . There i s no
doubt of the i r value a s one agent m
rodent contro l .
97
---

.........

KING S N A K ES a re a g ro u p of m e d i u m-s i z e d s n a kes

of normal proporti ons. They include some seven s pecies,
r a n g i n g fro m southern C a n ada thro u g h m u c h of the
U. S. All are constrictors and some a re at least pa rtia lly
i m m u n e to the poison of o u r venom
....
o u s s n a kes. Ki n g S n a ke s fe ed on
oth e r s n a k e s , b u t also eat m a ny
kin d s of rodents. Red Ki n g o r M i l k
Sna ke ( 3 0 i n . ) i s a common eastern
K i n g S n a ke with red s p l otches bor98
- . . . . . . ...

dered with black; the belly is pale, with black patches.

I t feeds m a i n l y o n rode nts and n ot, a s fa b l e s tel l , by
m i lking cows. Common Ki n g Snake i s a s h i ny black
with bands of yellow cross i n g i n a chain l i ke pattern . It
i s l a rger ( 3 V2 to 4 ft. ) t h a n Red Ki n g S n a ke a n d i s more
common i n open cou ntry. The s m a l l Scarlet Ki n g S nake
( 1 8 i n . ) may b e confused with Coral S n a ke (p. 1 08),
but note that each yellow b a n d i s bordered by black.
Cal ifornia King Snake ( 3 ft. ) is black with white bands;
some have a wh ite stripe down the back. Another m id
western form i s peppered with yellow or white dots on
most of its sca l e s .

SCARLO SNAKE, unfortu nately ra re, is attractive and

docile. It is a b urrower, 1 6 to 2 4 in., occasionally
found under rottin g logs or on the g round at n i g ht. Its
food a ppears to be s m a l l l izards a n d m ice, which a re
kil led by constriction. Eggs a re laid. The markings have
much of the sa m e pattern as on the

r -- -- -- --- -- -
Sca rlet King Snake-yellow bands
bordered by n a rrow black bands.
'{) 'i:J
But the bands d o n ot e n c i rc l e the
belly. Coral S n a ke ( p . 1 0 8 ) has
black b a n d s bordered by yell ow.
_,

\
1 00

( 2 to 3 ft. ) does not h a ve a

l o n g nose. P ro b a b l y a b u rrower, it m a y be a i d e d by
its sma l l , na rrow hea d . Most have been caught at
n i g ht. It is s a i d to feed on l i zards, s n a k e s , a n d s m a l l
m a m m a l s . D a r k p a t c h e s o n the b a c k a re b r o k e n by
b a n d s of r e d , w h i t e , or y e l l o w.
Genera l l y speck l e d , the color is
v a r i a b l e; b e l l y l i g hter with a few
dark spots. T h i s i s the o n l y ha rm
less snake with a s i n g l e row of
scales u n d e r the ta i l .
1 01
LON G -NOS ED SNA K E

WATER SNA K ES are chiefly eastern s pecies ( n i ne ) of

l a ke s a n d rivers . They s h o w l i ttl e exte r n a l a d a ptation
to water l ife but a re act u a l l y fi n e s u rface a n d u n d er
water swi m mers. They seek water when mol ested and
t h e re fi n d t h e i r foo d , m a i n l y fi s h and frog s . H e avily
b u i lt, with s h o rt, n a rrow ta i l s , they a re h a r m l e s s and
s h o u l d not be c o n f u s e d with t h e v e n o m o u s s o u t h ern
Cotto n m o u t h . H owever, Water S n a kes are u s ua l ly
vicious; they d o not ta m e o r beco m e g ood pets . The
r e a r o f the c o m m o n Wa ter S n a k e ( 3 0 i n . ) is c r oss
b a n d e d , with red d i s h - b rown . Towa rd the head th ese
1 02

DIAMOND-BACKED
WATER SNAKE

bands become l a rg e blotches. Diamond-backed Water

Snake is l a rger ( 3 1h to 5 ft. ) and da rker. Its dark
blotches are reduced to d i a monds over the backbone.
Pai nted Water S n a ke ( 3 to 5 1h ft. ) i s d a rk a bove, with
a yel l o w or red d i s h b e l l y . Green Wate r S n a ke (3 to
5 1h ft. ) is a d u l l ol ive green with a
vag u e, ba rred p atte r n . Color and
Common
patt e r n a re c l e a rest i n y o u ng
Water S n a ke s . All species get
_?lher
d a r k e r as t h e y g ro w o l d e r . As
many as 99 you n g a re born al ive.
1 03

-- -

..

rnl,} ,

- - - - - - - - - - <>- .

PLAINS GARTER SNAKE

and their kin are perhaps more

common and better known than any other snake.
These 1 1 s m a l l ( 1 8 to 44 i n . ), stri ped s pecies with
keeled scales, related to Water Sna kes, have s i m i l a r
h a bits. l i k e W a t e r S n a kes t h e y ej ect a n u n p l e a s a nt
, fl u i d fro m vent g l a n d s w h e n c a p
tured . G a rter S n a k e s fe e d on
fro g s , toa d s , e a rth w o r m s . Y o u n g
are b o r n a l ive i n s u m m e r - 2 0 o r
m o r e a t a ti m e . M o s t G a rter

GARTER SNA K ES

1 04

S nakes, fa i r l y d oci le, do well i n ca ptivity. Com mon

Ga rter Snake, more aggressive than others, i s marked
by th ree yel lowish stri pes; the dark area between is
s potte d . S o m e G a rter S n a kes have o n l y two stri pes.
The center stripe of Plains Garter Snake i s often a rich
ora n ge; the bel l y is darker than i n co m m o n Ga rter
Snake. The western species, with central stri pe brighter
tha n the side ones, is da rker, but with light scales near
the m o u t h . Ri b b o n S n a ke i s t h i n ner, s m a l l er, with yel
low o r red stri p e s a g a i n st brown scal e s . Its ta i l is
nea rly a th ird of the body l e n gth

a r e c o m m o n but i n con
spicuous. Lined S n a ke ( 1 2 to 20 in.) is a m i n iature
G a rter S n a ke with a yellow stri pe down its back, black
d ots o n the belly. The next two a re rel ated to Water
S n a ke s . D e K a y S n a ke ( 1 0 to 1 6 i n . ) i s a b r o w n i sh ,
secretive, b u rrowi ng species, com. . . . . . ! '!:d-bellied
m o n even near cities. The b e l l y is
ined ..-..
yellow to p i n k , with b l a c k dots at
'-sides. Red-bell ied Snake ( 1 0 to 1 4
,
,
i n . ) i s s i m i l a r, b u t with r e d b e l l y
ay
DeK
a n d ye l l ow spots at back of head .
\::.
1 06
S MALL STRI P E D SNA K ES

'

a re
m i l d l y p o i s o n o u s . T h e fo r m e r ( 1 5 i n . ) h a s e n l a r g ed
teeth i n t h e r e a r of its j a w s , not true fa n g s . W h e n it
b i tes l i z a r d s , its s a l iva s e e m s p o i s o n o u s . Lyre S n a ke
( 3 ft. ) is a rea r-fa n g e d poisonous s n a ke (three s p ecies)
with g rooved fa n g s . Its poison seems
J ,
h a r m l ess to m a n . The rel atively
l a rge h e a d a n d t h i n neck a re char- Fang less Night ts 'il
acteristic o f t h i s s n a ke. Lyre Snakes
Lyre
typi c a l l y freq u e n t rocky areas and
. L
feed o n l i zards .
I,J
J{' V
1 07

FANGLESS NIGHT SNA K E and L Y R E SNA K E

- . . . . . . . . .. .

,..d"r{

<:_d (
-

C ORA L SNA KES, rel ated to Cobras, a re h i ghly

poisonous. O u r two s pecies h ave red , ye l l ow, and
black ri n g s , the l a tter bordered by yellow. C o m mon
C o ra l S n a ke ( 3 0 t o 39 i n . ) h a s b l a c k , y e l l o w , a nd
b l a c k from nose to back of h e a d . Secretive a n d burrowi n g , it feeds m a i n l y on l i z a rds
a n d other s n a kes. Western Cora l
S n a ke, s m a l ler ( 1 8 i n . ), of l i m ited
range but s i m i l a r h a bits, h a s black,
yellow, a n d red s uccessively on
head and neck.

poisonous pit
vi pers, d i ffer l ittle from rattl ers. Pits between eye and
n ostri l , sen sitive to h eat, help them f i n d a n d stri ke at
warm-blooded prey. C o p pe r h e a d s ( 30 to 5 0 i n . ) are
u p l a n d s n a kes, with c o p p e ry head a n d " h o u r g l ass"
b o d y p a t c h e s . C otto n m o u t h or
Water Mocc a s i n (40 to 58 i n . ),
l a r ger, heavi er, a n d more vici ous,
i s a swa m p s n a ke feed i n g o n fish
and fro g s . I t is d a r k , not stro n g l y
m a r k e d . B o t h bear l i ve yo u n g .
1 09

CO PPERHEAD and COTTONMOUTH,

very simi
lar to t h e i r l a rg e r relatives, d o not have s m a l l sca les
on the top o f the h e a d . T h e y a re s m a l l , h e n c e rela
tively less dangerous. The Massasauga (2 to J V2 ft. ), a
swa m p Rattl er, does not stri ke u n less m uch a n noyed .
The southern Pig m y Rattlers, a l so
. . . . ...... ...._
c a l l e d Ground Rattlers, are smaller
( 1 8 to 2 4 i n . ) and p refe r u p l a nd
Massasa a
.
.
terra m . T h o u g h s m a l l er , t h e y a re
P 1gmy
atfler
n ot m i l d-te m pered, but ratt l e a n d
stri ke when a pproached.
1 10
MA SSA SA UGA and PIGMY RATTLERS,

Cross Section
of RaHie

Button

Young

Older

Adult

Old Adult

Rattlers ( 1 3 s p e c i e s ) a re t y p i c a l ly
America n . Most ki n d s are found i n the West, two i n the
E a st. Ti m ber Rattl e r ( 3 1f2 to 6 ft. ) i s a wood l a n d s pe
ci es, y e l l o wi s h with d a r k , -s h a ped b a n d s a n d d ark
ta i l . E a stern D i a m o n d back, or Florida Rattl er, n a med
for the dorsa l pattern, i s o u r l a rgest poisonous s n a ke,
a vera g i n g 5 ft. ( record n e a r l y 9 ft. ) . Westwa rd is
P r a i r i e R a ttl e r, varyi n g in s i z e ( 2 1f2 to 5 ft. ) a n d col or,
typi c a l l y g r e e n i s h yel l o w with d a rker b l otch e s . West
ern Diamond back, or Texas Rattler, s m a l l e r (4112 to
l lf2 ft. ), of rocky h i l l si d e s a n d open deserts, i s b rown
with a l i g hter border, g e n e ra l c o l o r bei n g g ra y . Red
Rattl er, s i m i l a r to Texas, h a s red d i s h g ro u n d color.
Stro n g est i s S i dewi nder ( 1 8 to 30

i n . ), with erect, h o r n y sca l e s over

J) "f9
Praorie att e
t he eyes, strong I y k ee I e d sea I es,
a nd a ra pid, sidewise moti o n over
T i m ber
s a n d . The Rattl e r ' s rattl e, a horny s;S\., Rattler
structure, g a i ns a s e g m e n t each
\
ti m e the s n a k e s h eds; it h e l ps tel l
/p
age . Rattl e rs a re nervo u s, a g g re s'tl
sive, l i ve poorly i n ca ptivity. Food:
rabbits, g o p h e rs, rats, m i ce, other
s m a l l m a m m a l s . Yo u n g a re born Re "w stern East t
a l ive; l i tters of 1 2 are co m m on .
111

RATTLESNA K ES

'

..

>-

'(

PRAIRIE RATTLER

( Text

1 12

on

Page 1 1 1 )

RED RATTLER

( Text

on

Page 1 1 1 )

1 13

form a d istinct
g ro u p of reptiles of anci ent l i neage. Once co m m on in
southern swamps, a l l i g ators have been reduced in
n u mber and ra nge by h u nters. Large specimens, 1 0 ft.
a nd over, a re now rare . They a re not especi a l l y long
l i ved; a 1 0-footer is 20 or 2 5 years o l d . Alligators are
n ot usually d a n gerous. Reports of " m an-eaters " usually
refer to crocod i l e s of Africa or southern Asi a . Young
a l l i g ators, h a rd to feed, do n ot m a ke good pets.
American C rocodile is s m a l l e r, thi n ner, more a g i l e than
ALLIGATORS and CRO CODILES

114

the a l l i g ator; its s n o u t is poi nted, n a rrower. S o m e of

the teeth p rotrude, b u l l d og-fa s h i o n , fro m the s i d es of
its jaw. A l l i g ators and croco d i l e s feed o n fish, t u rtles,
bi rds, c r a yfi s h , c r a b s , a n d oth e r water l ife. Both l a y
eggs, hatched by heat of the s u n a n d of decaying
vegetati o n . C rocod i l es prefer salt
>-/-{<
m a rs h e s a n d e v e n s w i m o u t i n to
l
the ocea n . A l l i g ators p r efer fresh
'{)
water. Both a l l i g ators a n d c rocoA l l gator
d .1 1 es a re now protecte d b y I aw.
,

- -- ---- --

1 15

w e r e t h e a n i m a l s w h i c h , eons
ago, fi rst ventured out of water to live o n l a n d .
T h o s e t h a t su rvive toda y a re sti l l poorly ada pted
to terrestia l life . Most s pend at least pa rt of their
lives i n water o r i n m o i st surro u n d i n g s . Am phib
ians v a r y c o n s i d e r a b l y in a p pe a r a n c e , b ut all
d iffer from re pti l e s i n never having c l a we d feet
or true sca ly skins. Of three groups, two a re com
m o n . The s a l a m a n d e rs and their kin a re ta i l e d a m p h i b
i a n s . The fro g s a n d toads are tai l l ess w h e n mature and
often have hind legs better developed .
Amphibians lay j elly-covered eggs s i n g ly, i n c l u mps,
o r i n stri n g s in q u i et water o r on moist leaf m o l d . These
e g g s hatch i nto l a rvae or ta d pol es, w h i c h u s ually
breathe by means of g i l l s and spend much o r all of
their l ife in water. Tadpoles feed on m icroscopic pla nts
a n d have mouth a n d d i g estive p a rts a d a pted for this
d i et. Larvae bec o m e a i r -breath i n g a d u lts w h i c h may
l ive in water, or which l ater ret u r n to the water to mate
an d l a y e g g s . Ad u l t s feed l a r g e l y on i n sects. I n the
A M P HI B IA N S

116

Forefoot

N orth they h i bernate d u ri n g wi nter u ndergro u nd

or in m u d at the botto m of ponds.
Frogs are divided i nto five ma jor grou ps, as
i l lustrated on page 6. The Tai led Toads (p. 1 20)
represent the fi rst. The Fire-be l l ied Toads occur
i n Mexico and South America . The Spadefoots
( p. 1 2 1 ) are the next group, fo l l owed by a large
diverse group ( pp. 1 22- 1 3 1 ) which i ncludes toads,
Tree Frogs, and C horus, Robber, a nd Whistling Frogs.
True Frog s a nd Na rrow- mouthed Frogs (pp. 1 32- 1 36)
belong to the last grou p, which is almost as large as the
toad grou p.
The five m a jor groups of sa lama nders a re redivided
into e i g h t fa m i l ies, of which seven occ u r in the United
States . The g r o u p represe nted by the Slimy Sa l a man
ders a n d newts i n c l u des by fa r the l a rgest n u m ber of
s pecies. The Tiger Salama nders and kin ( p p . 1 4 4 - 1 4 5)
a re the o n l y others that spend ti m e on l a n d . The Cae
cil i a n s-tro p i c a l , burrowin g species-are l i v i n g fossils,
more closely rel ated to s a l a m a n d ers than to frogs .

F ROGS and TOADS

Toad Calling

Toad Extends Tongue

Toad Catches Fly

c a n not
be clearly d i s ti n g u i s hed,
t h o u g h toad s u s u a l l y h ove
rou g h or wa rty s k i n s a n d l i ve
m a i n l y o n l a n d . F r o g s h ave
s m ooth er s k i n s a n d l i ve in
water o r wet p l a c e s . Toads
a re p l u m p, broad, a n d less
strea m l i ned t h a n fro g s . They
a re s l o we r a n d c a n n ot j u mp
a s wel l . Thei r eyes a re l a rg
er, t o o . Some fro g s hove
s u c h varied m a r k i n g s that
i d e ntifi cati o n is d i ffi c u lt.
Added to this, the s k i n color
a n d m a rki n g s of s o m e s pe
cies change with thei r sur
r o u n d i n g s . Most m o l e frogs
a n d toads can i nfl ate a sac
in their throat w h e n they
m a ke their characteristic
s o u n d s . There a re a bo u t 99
s pecies a n d s u bs pecies of
ta i l l ess a m ph i b i a n s i n this
c o u ntry. These fit i nto seven
fa m i l i es, the largest of which
a re t h e tree fro g s , t h e true
toads, a nd the frogs.

TAD POLES are the

i m matu re o r l a rval
stage of frogs and
toa d s . T h e R o b ber
Frogs ( p . 1 30 ) are
the only native frogs
which d o not h ave
free-swi m m i n g tad
poles. Tadpoles a re
d ifficult to identify.
The pictures may
h e l p you name some
s peci es. ( See p. 1 33
for the B u l l frog tad
pol e . ) C o l l ect frogs'
e g g s o r small tad
poles a l on g
the
shores of ponds and
d i tches in spri ng;
p l a ce t h e m in an
a q u a r i u m conta i n i ng
pond water a n d
water p l a nts. D o not
oversto c k . As tad
poles hatch a n d be
gin to g row they will
feed off bits of l et
tuce, which partly
rots in the water. As
yo u r tad poles
c h a n g e i nto frogs,
provid e a wooden
float on w h i c h they
can c l i m b a n d rest.

or B EL L TOA D is p ri mitive. T h e m a l e has a

d i stinct " ta i l . " After breed i n g i n l ate s p ri n g o r ea rly
s u m mer, stri n g s of l a r g e eggs are fo u n d attac h e d to
rocks i n m o u ntain strea ms. Tad poles c l i n g to the rocks
by m e a n s of a l a rge s u c k i n g d i sc a r o u n d t h e mouth.
These sma l l toads, 1 to 2 i n . long,
vary g rea tl y in c o l o r, fro m g r ay
and black to p i n k a n d brow n . N ote
the webbed feet a n d the s h o rt,
wide head with a l i g h t l i ne s o me
t i mes across it.

TAIL E D

1 20

( fo u r species) h a v e fl e s hy,
webbed feet with l a rge, ho rny, spade- l i ke wa rts. In bur
rowi n g , the toad corkscrews backward a n d d ow n wa rd
into the s o i l . It is fo u n d u n d e r l o g s or rocks, i n s h a l l ow
h o les, co m i n g o u t at n i g h t or after heavy ra i n s to feed.
Med i u m-sized ( 1 V2 to 3 in. l o n g ), it
has relative l y s m ooth s k i n . Eyes a re
la rge , with vertical pupils. Breedi ng
is i n l ate s p r i n g a n d early s u m mer.
E g g s a re a tt a c h e d to p l a nts at the
wate r ' s edge.

S PA D E F O OT T OA DS

1 21

TOADS, a m u c h - m a l i g n ed g roup of a m p h i b i a ns, were

once credited with causi ng wo rts . T h o u g h c l u msy, they
ore w e l l a d o pted to life on l a n d , feed i n g m a i n l y on in
sects a n d s l u g s . They protect themselves by b u rrowi ng,
p l a y i n g d e a d , i n f l a ti n g their bodi es, a n d e x u d i ng
thro u g h th e i r s k i n a wh ite f l u i d which, i n co ntact with
eyes or mo uth, is very poiso nous.
In b reedi n g season and especially
w h e n it i s rai n i n g , moles m a ke a
very chara cteristic tri l l i n g ca l l .
Toa d s t a m e e a s i l y a n d m a k e un
usual pets; feed them m e o l worms.

The American Toad ( 1 3 species i n U . S . ) i s the common

e astern s pecies, 2 to 4 in. long. Males have a darker
t h roat. Fowl e r 's Toad (the eastern race of Wood house
T oa d s ) is more g re e n i s h a nd s m a l l e r , u s u a l l y with
s m a l l er, more n u merous wa rts and with a w hite l i ne
d own the back. The Western Toad ( 2 to 5 i n . ) is very
wa rty; the belly is mottled a nd the
head more poi nted than in eastern
toads. The Great Plains Toad, com
mon a l o n g irri gation ditches and
strea m s , i s g r a y o r brow n i s h and
somewhat varied i n pattern.

a re seven species of s m a l l a m phib

i a n s u s u a l l y l e s s than 2 i n . l on g . They a re loca l l y called
Tree Frogs (though they ra rely c l i m b ) and Cricket Frogs
- na m es which cause confusion . All Chorus Frogs have
s l e n d e r bodies a n d poi nted s n o uts. They breed early
i n s p ri n g , atta c h i n g s m a l l m a s s e s of e g g s to l e aves
a nd stems in water. They a re common at th is time but
l a te r s e e m to d i s a p p e a r e n ti re l y, so thei r h a bits are
n ot wel l know n . They s e l d o m c l i m b more t h a n a few
i n c h e s a bove t h e g ro u n d; s o m e c a n not c l i m b at a l l .
The Stri ped C horus F r o g s a r e s m a l l ( 3/.o t o 1 V2 i n . ) ,
b rownish o r ol ive-colored, w i t h d isti nct dark stripes o n
C H OR U S FR OGS

ORNATE CHORUS FROG

t h e b o c k . T h e c l o s e l y related S wa m p C h o r u s F rog i s
c o m m o n i n southern ditches a n d swa m ps . It i s slendr,
o l ive green, with o n even, g r a n u l a r ski n . S pots o n the
b o c k ore i r re g u l a r . The O r n ate C h or u s F r o g , a s m a l l
edition of t h e W o o d F r o g ( p. 1 3 5 ) , c o m pletely locks
toe pods. I t i s c h estnut brown with a d ar k mask and
with d a rk s pots o n the sides; length
1 to 1 1/4 i n . Strecker C h o r u s Frog,
fo u n d fa rt h e r west, is a m o re
stocky species ( 1 to 3/4 i n . ), usually
g ray or g reenish with d a rker spots
a nd blotc h e s on b o c k a n d l i m bs.

f
_

ftiECKi!l

HORUS FROG

CANYON TREE FROG

PINE TREE FROG

(Text

on

Page 1 28 )

--- - ---- ...A

SPRING PEEPER

WHISTLING TREE FROG

ts

ClfiC

( Text

on

Page 1 2 8 )

"'

Wh"

ling

1 27

or HYLAS, a l a rge
fa m i l y of a m ph i b i a n s , are rel ated to
the toads but s m a l l e r ( most are 3.1.1 to
2 i n . ) . Li g htly b u i lt, they l ive i n trees
a nd s h r u bs, c l i n g i n g with t h e sti c ky
pads on the i r toes. The s ki n , often
s l i g htly wa rty or ro u g h , is u s u a lly
brown or gree n i s h . The ca l l , heard i n
early s p r i n g , i s l o u d , c l e a r, m u s i cal.
The frogs vary m uch in col or a n d pat
tern, a n d can to a deg ree c h a n g e col
o r with their s u rrou nd i ngs.
Common Tree Frog, with orange or
brown thighs, back spotted or mottled
g ray or brown, s k i n s l i g htly r o u g h , is
h e a r d in m i d s u m m e r in wood s n ear
wate r. G reen Tree Frog, most attrac
tive, 1 1h to 2 1h i n . , with s m ooth green
SPRING
PEEPER
s k i n, slender a n d long-legged, has a
penetrati ng honki ng c a l l . Canyon Tree
Frog can change its color from brown o r black to pale
p i n ki s h g ray. The skin i s rough. Eggs a re laid singly, in
water . Pine Tree Frog, legs brown i s h with s m a l l orange
s pots, i r re g u l a r cross o n b a c k , r a n g e s fro m g re e n i s h
g ray t o reddish brown; found only i n pi ne woods. Squir
rel Tree F r o g , g re e n to b r o w n , u s u a l l y s p otte d , s ki n
s mooth, h a s l i ght str i p e f r o m eye t o fore l e g s . Pacifi c
Tree Frog is g ra y, brown, or green; attractive; back
someti mes s potted; brown V between eyes; 1 to 2 in.
Spri n g Peeper, best-known eastern Tree Frog, 3/.o to 1 1/.o
i n . , c o m mon i n woo d l a n d swa m ps, i s l i g ht brown or
g ray with dark diagonal cross on back. Whistl i n g Tree
Frog, d u sky-col ored, with green i s h t hi g h a n d th ree
rows of s pots or a c ross on back, utters a u n i que
whistle.

TR E E FROGS

1 28

CRICK ET FROGS a re rea l l y s m a l l ( 3/.o to 1 112 i n . ) tree

frogs without toe pads . H ence they c a n n ot cl i m b. Color
va r i e s fro m b r o w n to g r a y a n d g re e n , with d a r ke r
m a r k i n g s t h a t m a y be b r o w n or e v e n red d i s h . A d a r k
tri a n g l e i s u s u a l l y p r e s e n t ato p the h e a d . T h e s k i n i s
s l i g htly rou g h . Cricket F r o g s , c o m mon thro u g h o u t the Ea st, get their

n a m e fro m t h e i r c a l l - a s h a rp,
r '{5 '1:1
ra p i d m eta l l i c c l i c k i n g . E g g s a re
l a i d s i n g l y, att a c h e d to p l a nts in
ponds a n d poo l s . Two species.
1 29

\
---- -

- - - - -- -- -

-. __ ,

_.

sometimes called Barki n g F rogs, a re

West I n d i a n species, i ntrod u ced a n d beco m i n g com
mon in the South, a l o n g the Gulf and i n F l o r i d a . Our
s i n g l e native species l ives in l i mestone ledges or caves.
Eggs a r e l a i d i n moisture-fi l l e d crevices. T h e ta d poles
do n ot h atch b u t re m a i n with i n the egg ti l l they h ave
d ev e l o p e d i nto ti n y fro g s . R o b b e r F r o g s a re s h o rt,
squat, with wide, flat heads. The tiny Florida species is
o n l y 3Js to 1 Vs i n . l o n g . The l a rger Texas species (2 to
3 1h i n . ) has a ca l l like a barking dog. All three species
a re u s u a l ly d a rk i n color.

ROB BER FROGS,

Tadpole in Egg
( magnified

1 30

3 times)

a re rea l l y
M e x i c a n species. T h e fi rst i s a m ed i u m-sized, s m ooth
s k i n n ed frog ( 1 V2 to 2 i n . ), m a rked a s its n a m e i ndi
cates . I t l a y s e g g s in a frothy mass a t the e d g e of
pon d s . Whistl i n g Frog (two s pecies) is s m a l l e r, with more
poi nted ose a n d g r a n u l a s k i n . Its
p ,
e g g s, l a i d o n l a n d , hatch m to l eg. . . . .. . ... /'(
'{) 'ii
ged frog s . T h e re a re n o free-swim-

WHITE-LIPPED and WHISTLING FROGS

ming tad poles. T h i s d u l l g ay-g r en

.
frog m a kes a f a _m t w h i stl m g c h i rp.

( -. . ,
\--- ed

whistling \.

1 31

i ntrodvce the
" tr u e " frog g ro u p - 1 6 c o m m o n s p e c i e s that h ave
s mooth , na rrow bodies and l o n g h i n d l e g s . The Gopher
Frog ( 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 i n . ), g ray with s m a l l black spots, lives
in th e b u rrows of Gopher T u rtles or crayfi s h . Though
fa i r l y c o m m o n , t h e y are r a r ely
seen. T h e large Red-l e g g e d F r og
of the West ( 2 to 5 i n . ) is a n even
d a r k b r o w n or o l i v e a b ove, a nd
c o l o r e d b e l o w a s its n a m e i n di
cates. It i s a frog of moist forests,
breed i n g in J u n e o r J u l y .

GOPH E R and RED- LEGG ED F ROGS

The Bullfrog i s larg

est of our frogs (4 to 7112 i n . ). The male has very large
" ea r s " (ty m pa n i ) beh i n d the eyes; the fe m a le ' s ears
are s m a l l e r. The color i s usua l l y d ra b g reen . I n the
North, the large tadpole does not mature till the sec
ond year. The Green Frog is s m a l l e r (2 to 4 i n . ), with
a y e l l o w i s h th r o at, e s p e ci a l l y i n
the m a l e s . Both of these com mon
fro g s l i v e in p o n d s a n d s wa m ps.
B ot h are s o l itary, l a yi n g e g g s in
s p r ea d i n g s u rface m a s s e s .

BULLFRO G and GREEN FROG

PICK ER E L and L EO PARD FROGS a re com mon, at

tractive, a n d so meti mes confu s i n g . The fo r m e r has
s q u a re o r recta n g u l a r s pots o n the back and reddish
si des; legs a re orange or redd ish. Leopa rd or Meadow
F rog has m o re rounded spots and g ree n is h s i des; legs
a re g ree n i s h . It a l so h a s a pa i r of
li ght l i n e s r u n n i n g from the eye
back a l o n g the sides. Both frogs
a re slender, s mooth-skinned, and
a bout 2 to 4 in. long. Both a re often
found in moi st, g rassy m e a dows .
1 34

and S POTTED FROGS The fi rst is one of

the most attractive common frogs: its fawn-brown skin
i s set off by a d a r k m a s k over the eyes . I t prefers moist
woods, bree d s from May to J u l y in woo d l a n d pools.
Eggs are l a i d near s h ore in rou n d e d m a s s , 2 to 4 i n .
across, conta i n i n g 2 000 t o 3 0 0 0 i n d i v i d u a l e g gs .

WOOD

length: 1 v, to 3 i n . The S potted

Frog ( 3 to 4 i n . ) is a weste rn s pe
cies typical of mou nta i n a reas. It is
d a r k brown, s o m eti m es s potted
with s ki n s l i g h tl y ro u g h en e d . A
l i g ht strea k m a rks the e d g e of the
u pper j a w .

NARROW-MOUTH E D FROGS have s m a l l , wedge

s h a ped heads with a fol d of s k i n cros s i n g the head just
back of the eyes. They are dark or mottled; u n d e rsides
l i g hter. N octurnal frogs with ti ny voices, they often
h i d e u n d e r logs and roc ks . The Sheep Frog, a related
s pe c i e s , h a s .., n a r r o w h e a d but
l oose, d a r k s k i n , with a n arrow
yellow or o r a n g e stri pe down the
back. It breeds ( Ma rch-September)
i n s h a l l o w p o n d s o r l a r g e rain
arrowmouthed
%
water pools.

\- - -
1 36

Sheep

SA LAMA N D ERS a re ta i l ed a m p h i bi a n s . A bo u t 1 35
kinds, i n seven fa m i l ies, are found in this country. They
d i ffer from l i zards ( p p . 4.4-.45 ) i n lacki n g a s c a l y skin
and c l a ws . S a l a m a n d ers never h a ve m o r e than four
toes on the front feet; l i z a rds u s u a l l y have five . Many
s a l a m a nd e rs a re noct u r n a l ; a l l avo i d d i rect sun. D u ri n g
t h e b reed i n g season they move a b o u t m o r e and hence
a re m o r e l i ke l y to be s e e n . S o m e s p e n d t h e i r enti re
l i ves i n water; others live on moist l a n d , ret u r n i n g to
w at er o n l y to m ate a n d l a y e g g s . T h e e g g s, w i t h a
j e l l y- l i ke c o a ti n g , a re l a i d s i n g l y o r i n s m a l l c l u m ps .
S o m e terrestri a l s a l a m a n ders h a v e no
Eggs of
l a rval stage . S a l a m a nders may be kept
Hellbender
in t e r r a r i a l i ke f r o g s a n d t o a d s . F eed
t h e m m e a l w o r m s or oth e r l i v e i n s ects.
Most s p e c i e s a re too s m a l l a n d u n at
tractive for pets.
Eggs of
Four-toed Salamander

Eggs of
Spotted Salamander

M U D P U P P Y or WATE R D O G ( 1 2 i n . ) is a l a rge
a q u atic s a l a m a n d e r of rivers and l a kes. The color varies
-often d a rk brown a bove, p a l e r o n bel l y wit h d a rk
s pots . A la rva throu g h o ut l ife, it h a s b u s h y red g i l ls .
E g g s a r e l a i d i n l ate s p r i n g atta c h e d to roc ks u n der
water. The eggs hatch in 40 to 60
-------------days. Hatc h l i n g s , stri ped o n their
1
back and sides, a re a bout a n inch
long; they mature in a bout five
yea rs. Th ree s pecies occ u r in the
U n ited States.

\"
1 38

CONGO - E E L and H E L LB END.ER are l a rg e a q uatic

salamanders. The former (two species), s mooth and eel
l i ke , g rows 30 to 3 6 i n . l o n g , with fo u r t i n y, u s e l ess,
o ne- to three-toed feet. It i s often fo u n d in d itc hes, in
b u rrows, o r u n d e r d e b r i s . The fe m a l e l a ys a mass of
e g g s under mud or rotted l eaves . She m a y r e ma i n near
to g u a rd the m . The H e l l bender ( 1 6 to 20 i n . ) is shorter
a n d broa d e r, a n d l i ves farther
p
north . Its wrin kled s k i n ma kes i den
---

-----/>.
/'(
\5
tifi c a ti o n e a s y . T h e c o l o r v a r i es
Hel l bender
f rom s potte d ye I I owis h to re d an d
---.
c
b ro w n . Eggs a re laid under rocks
i n s h a l l ow water.

-- ....

are southern salamanders

of rivers, swa m ps, a n d ponds. Both have external g i l ls
a n d both h a ve o n l y front l e g s . T h e S i re n s a re l a rger
( a bout 30 i n . ), g ray, ol ive g reen or blackish with spots
a n d blotc h e s . T h e M u d S i re n s (two
species), 5 to 8 i n . l o n g , h a ve s m a l ler
g i l l s a n d l e g s . T h e y o cc u r in s o u t h e rn
stre a m s a n d waterways. li g h t stripes
down the back and sides a re a char
acteristic m a r k i n g . Both feed on i nsects,
worms, l a rvae, a n d other s m a l l water
animals.

SIRENS and MUD SIRENS

MUD SIREN

OLYMPIC SALAMANDER

GIANT and O L Y M PI C SALA MAN DERS a r e t wo

northwestern species. The fi rst, the l a rgest western
s a l a m a n de r (9 to 1 2 i n . ), i s o u r l a rgest l a n d s pecies.
It is fou n d o n moist s l o pes u nder rocks and logs. la rvae
l i ve i n n e a r b y strea m s . The back color varies- u s u a l ly
m ottl e d ; l e g s d a rker. O l y m pic .
-'
-. - - - - - - - - - - : .....
Sala ma n der, smal ler ( J V2 i n . ), pre"' OlympiC
fers the h u m i d coastal c o n i ferous '\....- G. 1
forests, w h e re it is u s u a l l y fo u nd
(redl
i n or a l o n g clear strea ms.
\

IOn

141

N E WTS are attractive, interesti ng salamanders. Of the

fi ve species, the eastern (3 i n . l o n g ) is perhaps the
b e s t k n o w n . Its e g g s , l a i d i n s p ri n g , on ste m s a nd
l eaves of water plants, hatch i n to l a rvae. After 3 or 4
months i n the water these u s u a l l y leave to spend 2 or
3 y e a rs o n l a n d a s an u n u s u a l fo r m , k n o w n as the
Red Eft. W h e n the Efts return p e r m a n en tl y to water,
they change color and develop a broad swi m m i n g ta i l .
Some newts skip t h e eft sta ge. N ewts feed o n worms,
i n sect l a rvae and s m a l l aquatic a n i m a l s . They are per1 42

h ap s the best sa l a m a nders to keep a s pets . Red Efts,

fed on l i ve i n sects, do wel l in terra ria. Ad u lts th rive in
a q u a ri a , fee d i n g on s m a l l bits of l i ver or other meat.
The Weste rn N ewt is about twice the size of the eastern s pecies a n d differs in a p peara nce too. Adults are
l a n d- d w e l l e r s , retu r n i n g to water
only to breed . They are red d i s h or
dark brown, be lly much lig hter yel
low o r o ra n g e . F o u n d in m oist
woods and mou nta i n ponds.

S POTTED S A L AMANDER

( 7 i n . ) h a s la rge, rou n d , yel

l o w , or o r a n g e s p ots on a
black s k i n . Like others i n this
g ro u p ( 1 1 s p e c i e s ) it has vertical g rooves on its s i d e s . It is
fou n d in m o i st woods; breeds i n ponds and t e m p orary
poo l s . A d u lts m i g ra te considerably, retu r n i n g to water
to breed . T h ey feed on worms, g ru bs, a n d i nsects.
(8 i n . ) is l i ke the S p otted, but
the s pots, w h e n present, are l a r ger, m o r e i rr e g u l ar,
and extend down the si d es a n d onto the b e l l y . Some
l a rvae do not deve l o p i nto the l a n d form; they s pend
their entire l i fe i n water, where they eventually breed.
Tiger S a l a m a n ders a re known to l i ve ove r 1 0 years.

TIGER SALAMANDER

(4 i n . ) i s s m a l ler than
othe rs i n this g ro u p , but l i ke most i s a stout, t h i c k-set
creatu re . Variable markings on the black s k i n , white on
m a l es , g r a y i s h o n females, in i rre g u l a r f u s e d b a nds.
The l a rvae o re a mottl ed b rown .
J EFF ERSON SA LAMAND ER is
- -----."'- Spotted s l e n d e r ( 6 1f2 i n . ); a l s o c a l l e d B l ue
s potte d , for the m a r k i n g s o n its
Tiger
b r o w n i s h s ki n . It l i ve s i n woods
Te
a l o n g s wa m ps and stre a m s . T r u n k
a n d ta i l h a v e vertic a l g rooves.

MARBLED SALAMANDER

( S 1f2 i n . )
i s fo u n d i n va ryi n g h a b i tats from
swampy lowlands to upland woods.
It is a b u rrower beneath logs a nd
rocks near strea m s . T h e color i s a
f a i n t l y b l otc h e d s l a t e g r a y or
brown , l i g hter b e n e a t h .

T E X AS SA LAMANDER

1 44

comprise n i n e s pecies of
average-sized ( 3 1h i n . ), i ncon spicuous salamande rs with
h i g h l y vari a b l e color a n d patte r n . T h e i r d a r k , m ottled
s ki n s bl e n d wi t h rocks a n d m o s s a l o n g stre a m s where
they live. The sides a re g rooved verti c a l l y . N ote a small
l i g ht b a r fro m eye to j a w . T h e AIlegheny Mountain a n d Shovel-nosed

'{) '1;?
species d i ffer from the common east
e r n i n h a vi n g a l i g ht, i r re g u l a rl y
-spotted band down the back.

D US KY SA LAMAND ERS

- - - - - - - -- -

1 46

and S LI M Y SA LA MA N D E R S a re
l a n d s pe c i e s of o u r l a r g est g ro u p ( 1 9 s p e c i e s ) . Often
f o u n d i n l e a f m o l d a n d u n d e r rotted l o g s , both b reed
on l a n d a n d l a y e g g s in m oi st n e sts i n rott e d b a r k or
logs. Red-backed (3 in. long) has two co lor phases; only
one has the red stripe down the
R e d- backed
.
back. S l i m y S a l a m a nder, l a rger (6 R l ; d - __ ___ ,__
/
i n . ), h a s b l u e - b l a c k s ki n with small, speCies
i r r e g u l a r l i g ht s p ots on b a c k, a n d
grayish belly.
R E D - BA C K ED

a re western
species. The s i n g l e species of Pai nted va ries from black
to red, u s u a l l y with red or yellow ora n g e bl otches.
These m e d i u m-si zed s a l a m a nders (4 to 5 i n . ) occur in
the mountains, i n o a k a n d evergreen forests . They ex
hi bit an unusual a n d complex courtship pattern. The
Worm S a l a m a n d e r (4 i n . ) is, a s its n a m e i m pl i es, thin
and wo rmli ke, with a very long tai l . The color i s da rk,
often s potted or strea ked . The salamander is found un
d e r rotted l o g s or l e a ves where it lays its e g g s , from
w h i c h tiny m i n iatu res of the a d u l ts e m e r g e .
PAINTED and WORM SALAMANDERS

WORM SALAMANDER

1 48

4 i n . l o n g ( fi ve
s pe c i e s ) , l i ve o n o p posite s i d e s of t h e c o u ntry. G reen
S a l a m a n d e r i s fo u n d on the rocky h i l l s ides of the Appa
l a c h i a n s , u nder l o g s or in crevices of roc ks. It i s da rk,
with gree n i s h b l otches. The Tree S a l a m a n d e r of the
Pacific Coast freq u e n tl y l ives in water-soaked caviti es
of trees. Sometimes a whole colony is fou n d in one of
these holes , where e g g s are l a i d , a l so . Tree S a l a man
ders a l s o l ive o n the g r o u n d , u n d e r l o g s , rocks, a n d
bark.Their c o l o r i s l i g ht b rown, paler below w i t h f e w i f
any ma rki n g s .
GR E E N and TR E E SA LA MA ND ERS,

- - b.
Green
e

--

GREEN SALAMANDER

1 49

are u n u s u a l a n i m a l s found
only i n deep wel l s a n d u nderground strea ms of caves.
They are a pale yellowish in color, with eyes reduced
in s i z e or co m p l etely u n d evel o p e d . T h e l a rvae of the
Ozark B l i n d Sa la m a n d er ( a d u lts 3 3/.; i n . ), fou n d in open
strea ms, have da rk-col o red skins
a n d normal eyes . The you n g of the
---------- "-/
Texas species ( a d u lts 4 i n . ) resem'{)
Oza rk
ble the pale adu lts. Another rare
B l i n d S a l a m a n d e r h a s been f o u nd
--'!;e!a' ,
-V
\J
i n Georg i a .
1 50
BLIND SALAMANDERS

t
'(

P URP L E and RE D SA LA MAN D ERS often belie thei r

na mes. T h e P u r p l e ( 5 i n . l o n g ; three species) i s actually
brownish or red d i s h brown, with vag u e spots or blotches.
Y o u n g a d ults, newly tran sfor m e d fro m l a rvae, ore
b ri g h t e r re d . T h i s i s a l s o t r u e of t h e Red S a l a m a n der
( 5 i n . ; two s p e i e s ) . Y o u n g a d u lts
"'Pur [e a re b n_ g h t red w1th s m a l l dark spots;
o l d e r o n e s , d u l l a n d d a rk e r . B oth
of these s a l a m a n d e rs a re common,"\
Red(
est i n h i l l y or m o u nta i n areas along
strea m s o r nea r ponds.
\)
1 51

- -

- - - - - - - - -- -

- - __

TWO - LINED, LONG -TAILED and C A V E S A LA

represent a common but i ncons picuous

g r o u p ( ei g ht s pe c i e s ) . Two- l i n e d (3 i n . ) i s s o m a r k ed,
with a broken row of d a rk d ots between the l i nes on its
sides. long-ta i led ( a bout 5 i n . ) is thi n , yel low to orange,
mottled or s potte d . Both prefer moist s ites u n d e r l ogs
a n d roc k s , t h o u g h the Two-l i n e d a l s o prefers b rook, sides. The Cave Salamander ( 5 i n . )
':':.1 .'"ed > _:
is seen n e a r the entrances of caves
a n d u n de r moist, ove r h a n g i ng
Cave
rocks. Color i s variable, u s u a l ly

ng-tailed ._.,.
yel low to orange with scattered
black s pots .

MANDERS

- - - - - - -.

1 52

is so c a l l e d because
both front a n d hind feet are fou r-toed . I t i s one of the
s ma l l est s a l a m a nders ( 2 V2 i n . ), fa i r l y c o m m o n in
wooded areas, swa m ps, a n d bogs. The dull red-brown
back is mottl ed with darker patches; the bel l y is l i g ht
er, with brown s pots . Males are s m a l l e r than females
and have l o n g e r tai l s . The fe m a l e lays her eggs in a
mossy cavity a n d stays with them
p
ti l l they hatch, i n a bout two m nth .
.
--,/'(

r-toed
'1:::!
Fou
'{5
The l a rvae leave the water m stx
Margi ;,-'d-,.
weeks to c o m p l ete t h e i r d evel op"P."Ya rf "'
ment on l a n d . They m a t u re in
Fou r:)oed
a bout two yea rs.
\

FOUR-TO ED SALA MAND E R

. . . . . . . ...

1 53

BOO KS FOR FURTHER STUDY

B i s h o p , S h e r m a n C . , H A N D B O O K OF SALAMA N D E R S , C o m stock P u b . C o . ,
Itha ca , N . Y . , 1 96 7 . A n excel l e n t refere nce a n d a c o m pa n i o n t a the
v o l u m e s by Carr and S m i t h , l i sted b e l o w .

Carr, A rc h i e , H A N D BO O K O F T U RTLES, C o m stock P u b . C a . , I t h a c a , N . Y . ,

1 95 2 .

T h e best a n d most c o m p l ete g u i d e to A m e r i c a n t u r t l e s , with

ample data o n l ife h i stories a n d i d e ntificati o n .

D i t m a rs, R a y m o n d , R E PT IL E S O F N o RTH AME R I CA, D o u b l e d a y a n d C o . ,
G a r d e n C i ty, N . Y . , 1 94 9 . A general, nan-tec h n i c a l refe rence t o the
m a j o r N o rth A m e r i c a n species. I l l u strated with p h o to g r a p h s .

P o p e , C l i ffo r d H . , SNAKES A liVE AND How THEY li VE, V i k i n g Press, N e w

York, 1 937. A very rea d a b l e account of s n a kes a n d t h e i r h a bits, b y

a tap authority.

S c h m i dt, K a r l P . , a n d D a v i s , D . D., f i E L D B O O K O F SNAKES O F T H E U . S .

A N D CANADA, G . P . Put n a m ' s S o n s , N e w York,

1 94 1 .

A c o m p a ct,

deta i led g u i d e ta i d entification of species and s u bspecies. Of s pecial

va l u e to the mare a d v a n c e d a m ate u r .
S m i t h , H o b a rt M . , H A N D B O O K O F L I Z A R D S , C o mstock P u b . C o . , I t h a c a ,
N.Y.,

1 9 46.

A defi n itive reference t o the m o s t c o m m o n repti les,

with full i nformation on i d e n tification and how they l ive.

Wright, A . , a n d W r i g ht, A., A H A N D B O O K O F fROGS A N D TOADS, Com
stock P u b . Co., Ithaca, N.Y.,

1 949.

A n excellent, deta i led fi e l d guide

to these a m p h i b i a n s; n o n -tec h n i c a l and we l l i l l ustrate d .

ZOOS, MUSEUMS, AND STUDY COLLECTIONS

Here are s o m e well-known p l aces where repti les a n d a m p h i b i a n s
c a n be stu d i ed a l ive o r a s p a rt of p e r m a n e n t e x h i bits o r collections:
Wa s h i n gton, D . C.: U.S. N a tion a l Museum, N a ti o n a l Z o o l o g i c a l Park
N e w Y o r k C i t y : A m e r i c a n Museum of Natural H i story, Staten I s l a n d
Z o o , Bro n x P a r k Zoo
C h i c a g o , I l l . : N a t u r a l H i story M u s e u m , Brookfield Zaa, l i n c o l n Park Zoo
Bosto n , M a s s . : H a rvard M u s e u m of C o m p a rative Z o o l o g y
P h i l a d e l p h i a , Pa . : P h i l a d e l p h i a Zaalag i c a l P a r k
las A n g e l e s , C a l i f . : las A n g e l e s Cou nty M u s e u m
A n n Arbor, M i c h . : U n i v . of M i c h . M u s e u m of Zoo l o g y
S a n Antonia, T e x a s : S a n A n to n i o Zoo
San Diego, C a l i f . : Zoo l o g i c a l Park
S i lver Springs, F l a . : Ross A l l en ' s Repti l e I n stitute
M i a m i , Fla . : Serpentari u m .
Berkeley, C a l i f . : U n i v . o f C a l if. M u s . of Vert. Z oo l o g y

1 54

SCIENTIFIC NAMES
The scientific n a mes af

i l l u strated

reptiles a n d

a m p h i b i a n s fo llow.

H eavy type i n d icates pages w h e re they a p p e a r . T h e g e n u s name i s f i rst,

t h e n the species. A t h i rd n a m e is the s u bspecies. If the g e n u s n a m e
i s a b b reviated, it i s t h e s a m e a s t h e g e n u s n a m e g ive n

20

leatherback:
a ceo.
Hawksbi l l :

21
22
23

Dermochelys cori-

E retmochelys

i m bri-

cota .
log gerhead: Ca retta ca retta.
Gree n : C h e l o n i a mydos.
Sternotherus odoratus.
C o m m o n : K i nosternon s u brubrum
s u b r u b ru m .
Yellow-necked: K. fl avescens.

24 Chelydro serpenti n e .
25 Mocroclemys tem m i n c k i .
26 A m y d a ferox .
27 Gopherus polyph e m u s .
28-29 Pseudemys scripta elegans.
30 P s e u d e m y s florida n o hieroglyph31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
40
41
42
43
46

52
53
54
55

56

Mississippi: C. picto dorsalis.

Weste r n : C . picta bel l i .
Chrysemys picta m a r g i n ate.
Graptemys

pseudogeographica

kohni.
Gra ptemys geographica.
Emydoidea blandi n g i .
Molaclemys terra p i n .

57
58
59
60
61
62

Eastern: Terra pene carolina.

Clemmys m a rmorate.
Clemmys m u h l e n b e r g i .
Clemmys i n sc u l pta.
Tu bercu lar: P h y l l odactylus tuber-

Coleonyx variegatus.
Anole: Anolis caro l i n e n s i s .
C h a m e l e o n : Chomeleo vulgaris.

(juv.)
S p i n y : Ctenosaura pecti n ato (juv. )
Crotaphytus collaris.
Gambelia wislizeni.
C l i m b i n g : U r o s a u r u s ornatus.
G rou n d : Uta sta n s b u r i a n a .
Earless: H o l b ro o k i a m a c u l ate.
Zebra-ta i l e d : C a l l i s a u r u s d racoFringe-foote d : U m a n otate.
Texas Spiny: Sceloporus ol ivaceus.
Western fence: S . occidentalis.

Desert Spiny: S . m a g i ster.

Sceloporus u n d u l atus.
Desert: Phrynosomo platyrhinos.
Short-ho r n e d : P . d o u g l a s s i .
P h rynosoma cornutu m .
G ra n ite: Xantusia h e n s h a w i .
Arizona: X. a ri z o n a e .
E u m eces obsoletus.
Gr. Five-lined: Eu meces laticeps.
Common Weste r n : E . s kiltonia n u s .
G reater Wester n : E . g i l berti .

63
64
65

culatus.
Turkish: H e m i d a ctyl us turcicus.

T r u e : I g u a n a i g u a n a r h i nolopha

Desert Scaly: S . poinsetti.

Weste r n : T. o rnata.
Clemmys g u ttate.

Sauromalus obesus.
Dipsosa u r u s dorsal i s .

Ground: S . g raciosus.

Oeirochelys reti c u l a ria.

Eastern: C h rysemys picta picta.

before it.

noides.

ica.

Least: Sphoerodactyl u s cinereus.

47
48

49
50
51

j ust

Sonora n : E. obsoletus.
E u m eces fasciatus.
Brown: S c i n c e l l a laterale.
S a n d : Neoseps reynoldsi.
Six-lined: C n e m i d o p h o r u s sexlineatus.
Tiger: C . tigris.

66

T e x a s : Gerrhonotus l i ocephalus.

67
68

O p h i s a u r u s ventra l i s .

Western : E l g a ri a m u l ticarinatu s .
W o r m : R h i n e u ra fl o r i d a n o .
Footless: A n n i e l l a p u l c h r a .

1 55

SCIENTIFIC NAMES (Continued )

69
72
73

Heloderma suspectu m .

74
75
76

Aba stor erythro g ra m m u s .

F a r a n d a abacura.

77

K e e l e d , Opheodrys aestivus.

7&

l eptotyphlops.
Rubber: C h a r i n a bottae.
Rosy: Lichonura roseofusca.

92
93
94
9S
96

Elaphe guttate g u ttate.

Elaphe v u l p i n e .
D rymarchon cora i s .
Arizona elegans.
Pituophis m e l a n o l e u c u s melano
leucus.

97
98

Eastern, Diadophis punctatus.

Weste r n : D. a m o b i l i s .

Pituoph is melanoleucus sayi.

Scarlet, la m p ropeltis triangulum
elapsoides.

S mooth-sca l e d , 0 . vernal i s .

Red: L. tri a n g u l u m tria n g u lum.

Cone-nosed : Virginia striatulo.

Common' l. getulus getulus.

Groun d : Sonora semiannulata.

Short-t a i l e d ,

Sti l o s a m a

e xten u

99

atum.
Shovel-nosed:

Chionactis

occipi

talis.

79

B lack Swamp, Semi natrix pygaea .

Striped Swa m p ' l iodytes alieni.

1 00
101
1 02

Speckled,

C a l i f . , l . getu l u s c a l iforniae.

Sha rpla i l e d , Conlia tenuis.

80
81
82

C h i l o m e n i scus cinctus.

1 03

Weste r n : Heterodon nasicus.

C o m m o n , H . platyrhinos.
Vine' Oxybe l i s aeneus.
Western Hook-nosed, Gyalapian
Fanged N i g ht, leptodeira a n nu
lata septentri o n o l i s .

1 04
1 05
1 06

F lat-headed , Tanti l l o coronale.

Yel l owl o p p e d , R h a d i n a e a flavi
lata.
Texas H o o k - n o s e d : F i c i m i o streck

1 07

eri.
Worm: C a r p h o p h i s a m o e n a .
B l a c k-stri ped,

Coniophanes

im

Easte r n : Coluber constrictor con :

86
87
88
89
90

Masticophis fl a g e l l u m fl agellum.

1 56

1 08

periolis.

85

91

stridor.

Rhinochei l u s lecontei.
Common: Natrix sipedon sipe
don.

Mosticophis toeniatus taeniatu s .

Salvadore l i n eata.
Phyllorhynchus browni .
G ray' E l a p h e obsolete spi loides.
Yellow' E. obsolete quadrivittata.

throgaster.
Gree n , Natrix cyclopion.
D i a m o n dbacked ,

N.

rhombi

fera.
Plains, Tha m n o p h i s radix.
Weste rn' T. elega n s .
Ribbo n ' Tha mnophis s a u ritus.
C o m m o n : T. ordinatus.
L i n e d : Tropidoclonion l i n eatu m .
D e K a y , Storeria d e k a y i .
Redbellied, S. occipitomaculata .
Fang less N i g ht, H y p s i g l e n a och
rorhyncha.
lyre, Trimorphodon l a m bda.
Common: Micrurus fulvius.
Western: Micruroides euryxan
thus.

1 09

Weste r n : C . constrictor mormon.

Elaphe obsolete obsolete.

Cemophora doliala.

Painted, N . eryth rogaster e ry

S a n d : Chilomeniscus c i n ctus.

canum.

83

l a m propeltis getulus

holbrooki.

Copperhead, A g k i strodon con

tortrix.
Cottonmouth: A. piscivorus.

1 1'0
112

Pigmy: Sistrurus m i l i o r i u s .
Mossasou g o : S. cotenotus.
Timber, Crota l u s horrid us.
Ea stern D i a m o n d b a c k , C. a da
m a nteus .
Prairie: C. v i r i d i s .

SCIENTIFIC NAMES (Continued )

1 13
1 14
1 15
118
1 20
1 21
1 22
1 23
1 24
1 25
1 26

Sidewinder: Crota l u s cerastes.

Western D i a mondback: C . atrox.
Red: C . ruber.
A l l i gator m i ssissippiensis.
Crocod i l u s acutus.
Bufo a merican u s .
Ascaphus truei .
Weste r n : S pea h a m m o n d i .
Eastern : Scaphiopus hol brooki.
American : Bufo omerican u s .
Fowler 's: B. woodhousei fowleri .
Western: Bufo boreas .
Great P l a i n s : B. cognatus.
Swamp: Pseudacris n i grita ni
grita.
Stri ped: P . n i g rita triseri ata.
Ornate: Pseudacris ornata.

1 38
1 39
1 40

131
1 32

leghaniensis.
Siren: Siren lacerti n o .
M u d S i ren : Pseudobranchus stri
atu s .
G i a n t : D i c a m ptodon ensatus.

1 42

Notophth a l m u s v i r i d e scens viri

1 43

Easte r n : Notophth a l m u s virides

1 45

Olympic: Rhyacotriton olympi

cus.
descen s.
cens viridescens.
Western: Taricha torose.
Spotted : A m bystom o m a c u l a tum.
T i g e r : A . tigri n u m .

Strecker: P . streckeri.
Common: H y l a versicolor.

Marbled : A . opacum.

G reen : H . cinerea.

Jefferson: A . jefferson i a n u m .

P i n e : H . fem o r a l is.
Squirrel: H y l a squirella.
Pacifi c : H . reg i l l a .
S p r i n g Peeper: H . crucifer.

1 29
1 30

Congo-ee l : Amphiuma means.

Hellbender: C ryptobranchus a l

141

Canyon: H. a renicolor.

1 27

Nectu rus maculosus.

1 46
1 47

Whistl i n g : H. avivoca.
Acris crepitan s .
Texas: Eleutherodactylus latrans.

1 48

Ricard: E . ricordi p l a n i rostris.

Whistl i n g : S y r r h o p h u s marnocki.
Gopher: Rona a reolota.
Red-le g g e d : R. a u rora .

1 33

Green : Rona clamitans.

1 34

Pickerel: R o n a pal ustri s .

Bul lfro g : R. catesbe i a n a .

leopard: R . p i p i e n s .

1 35

W o o d : Rona sylvati c a .
Spotted: R . preti o s a .

1 36

Western: Microhyla olivacea.

Eastern: M. carolinensis.

Common: Desmognathus fuscus .

Allegheny: D. ochrophaeus.
Red-backed: Plethodon ci nere u s
c i n ereu s .
Slimy: P. g l utinosus.
Pai nte d : a . En sati n a eschscholtz i
esch scholtz i .
b . E . eschscholtzi klauberi.

White-lipped: leptodoctylus lab

iolis.

T e x a s : A. texa n u m .

1 49
1 50
1 51
1 52
1 53

Worm: Batrachoseps ottenuatus.

Tree: Aneides l u g u br i s .
G r e e n : A. aeneus.
Ozark: Typ h lotriton spelaeus.
Texas : Typ h l o m o l g e rath b u n i .
Red: Pseud otriton ruber.
P u r p l e : Gyri n o p h i l u s porphyriti
cus.
Two-lined: E u rycea b i s l i neata .
long-ta i l e d : E. l o n g i c a u d a .
Cave: E. lucifuga.
Hemidacty l i u m scutatu m .

Sheep: Hypopachus c u n eus.

1 57

IND E X

An a sterisk ( * ) desig nates pages that are i l l ustrated;

bold type denotes pages conta i n i n g more extensive
i n formati o n .

o-

0)

,...
...

Alligator, * 1 1 4- 1 1 5
A l ligator lizards, *66
A l ligator S n apper, * 2 5
American Toad,
*119
(tadpole), * 1 2 2 - 1 2 3
Amphibians, 1 1 6- 1 5 3
as pets, 1 4
family tree, * 6 - * 7
.,.
general, * 1 1 6- * 1 1 7
: Anole, *48
..

Barking Frog, * 1 30
Bell Toad, * 1 20
u B l a c k-striped S n a k e, * 8 3 ,
84

c B l a c k S w a m p S n o k e , * 79,
80
::;
B l a n d i n g Turtle, * 3 6
B l i n d S a l a m a n ders, * 1 50
B l i n d S n a kes, * 7 2
i B l ue-spotted S a l a m a nder,
1 44-* 1 45
z
= Boas, * 7 3
Books, reference, 1 54
B o x T u rtles, * 1 8 , * 3 8-

DeKay S n a ke, * 1 06
Desert I g u a n a , * 5 0
D u s k y Salamanders, * 1 46

Frogs ( cont. ) :
S p r i n g Peeper, * 1 1 9
(tadpole), * 1 27,
* 1 28
tadpoles, * 1 1 9
Tree (Hylas), * 1 26* 1 27, 1 2 8
Whistl i n g , * 1 3 1
White-lipped, * 1 3 1
Wood, * 1 1 9 (tadpole),
* 1 35

G a rter S n a kes, * 1 04* 1 05

Geckos, * 4 6 - * 4 7
G i a n t S a l a m a nder, * 1 4 1
G i a n t Tortoises, 2 7
Faded S n a ke, * 95
G i l a-monster, * 6 9
False I g u a n a , * 5 1
Glass-snake Lizard, * 6 7
Fi rst aid, sna kebite, * 1 5
Glossy S n o ke, * 9 5
Flat-headed S n a ke, * 8 3 ,
Gopher Frog, * 1 3 2
84
Gopher Sna ke, 97
Footless Lizard, *68
Gopher Turtles, * 2 7
Four-toed S a l a m a nder,
G reat P l a i n s Toad, * 1 23
* 1 3 7 (eggs), * 1 5 3
Green Frog, * 1 1 9 (tadFowler"s Toad, ' 1 22- 1 2 3
pole), * 1 3 3
"'
*39
F o x Snake, 92- 93
Green S a l a m a n der, * 1 49
Frogs, * 1 1 6- * 1 1 9 ( g enB u l lfrog, * 1 3 3
Green Snakes, * 77
era l ) , 1 1 6- 1 36
;;; Bull Snakes , 96-* 97:
Green Turtle, * 1 9, * 2 1
:>
Barking, * 1 30
G r o u n d Geckos, 4 7
Bul lfrog, * 1 3 3
Cages a n d tanks, * 1 2-* 1 3
Grou n d S n o ke , * 7 8 , 8 0
Chorus, * 1 1 9 (tadpole),
lE Carapace, 1 8
Ground Uta, 5 4
* 1 24- 1 25
Cave S a l a m a n der, * 1 5 2
Cricket, * 1 1 9 (tadpole), Hawksbill Turtle, * 20-2 1
Chameleons, * 4 8
* 1 29
Chicken Turtle, * 3 1
H ellbender, * 1 3 7 (eggs),
Gopher, * 1 3 2
Chorus frogs, * 1 1 9
* 1 39
Green, * 1 1 9 (tadpole), H i be r n a t i o n , 1 6- 1 7, 1 9,
(tadpole), * 1 24* 1 33
* 1 25
39, 6 1
Leopard, * 1 1 6, * 1 1 9, H i eroglyphic Turtle, * 30
Chuckwalla, *49
* 1 34
Climbing Uta, *54
Hog-n o sed S n a k e , 8 1
Meadow, * 1 3 4
Coachwhip Sna ke, * 8 6-87
Hook-nosed S n a kes, * 82Narrow-mouthed, * 1 36
C o l l a red L i z a rd, * 5 2-53
* 8 3, 8 4
Pickerel, * 1 1 9 (tadCollectin g , 1 1 - 1 4
H oop S n a k e , * 75
pole), * 1 34
Common S n a pper, * 2 4
Horned lizards, 5 8 * 59
Red-legged, * 1 32
Cone-nosed S n a k e , * 78,
Hylas, * 1 2 6 - * 1 2 7 , 1 2 8
Robber, * 1 30
80
Sheep, * 1 36
C o n g o-eel, * 1 3 9
I g u a n a s , * 50-* 5 1
Spotted , * 1 35
Copperhead, * 1 09
I n d i g o Snake, * 9 4

..,. E

Coral S n a kes, * 1 08
Corn S n a ke, * 9 2-93
Cotton mouth, * 1 09
Crested lizard, 50
Cricket Frogs, * 1 1 9
(tadpole), * 1 29
Crocodile, 1 1 4- * 1 1 5

1 58

Efts, * 1 4 2- 1 4 3

INDEX

(Continued)

J efferson S a l a m a nder,
1 44-* 1 45
K i n g S n a kes, * 9 8 - * 9 9
Leaf-nosed Snakes, * 8 9
Leatherback T u rtle, * 1 9,
* 20- 2 1
* 1 1 6,
Frog,
Leopard
* 1 1 9 * 1 34
Leopard Li ard, 52-* 5 3
L i n e d S n a k e , * 1 06
L i zards, *44-*45 (genera l ) , 44-69
A l l igator, *66
Anole, * 4 8
Chameleon, 4 8
Chuckwalla, * 49
Collared, *52-53
Crested, *50
Footless, *68
Geckos, 46- 47
G i la-monster, *69
Glass-snake, * 6 7
Horned, * 58-* 5 9
Iguanas, *50- * 5 1
Leopard, 52-* 5 3
N i ght, *60
Rocerunners, *65
Sand, * 5 5
Skinks, * 6 1 -*64
Swifts, * 56 - * 5 7
Utas, *54
Whipta i l s , *65
Worm, *68
Loggerhead Turtle, * 2 1
Long-nosed Snake, * 1 0 1
Long-to i l e d S a l a m a nder,
* 1 52
Lyre Snake, * 1 07

Map Turtles, * 1 9, * 34*35

Marbled S a l a m a n der,
1 44-* 1 45
Mossasouga, * 1 1 0
Meadow Frog, * 1 3 4
Milk Snake, * 98-99
Moccasin, Water, * 1 09
Mudpu ppy, * 1 3 8
Mud S i ren, * 1 40
Mud Snoke, *75
Mud Turtles, * 1 9, * 23
Muhlenberg Turtle, * 4 2
M u s k Turtles, * 2 2

Na rrow- m o uthed Frogs,

* 1 36
Newts, * 1 42-* 1 43
Night lizards, * 60
Night Sna kes, * 8 2 , 84,
* 1 07
Olym pic Sa l a ma n der,
*141
Pacific Turtle, * 4 1
Pai nted S a l a m a n d e r s ,
* 1 48
Painted Tu rtles, * 3 2- * 3 3
Patch-nosed Snake, * 8 8
Pickerel Frog, * 1 1 9, * 1 34
Pilot Black Sna ke, * 90*91
Pine Snake, *96-97
Puff Adder, 8 1
Purple Salamander, * 1 5 1
Racers, * 8 5
Roceru n n ers, * 6 5
Rainbow Snake, * 74
Rat Snakes, *90- * 9 3
Rattl esnakes, * 1 1 0- * 1 1 3
Red-backed S a l a m a n der,
* 1 47
Red-bellied Snake, * 1 06
Red Eft, * 1 42- 1 43
Red-legged Frog, 1 3 2
Red Salamander, * 1 5 1
Reference books, 1 54
Repti les, 1 6- 1 1 5
as pet, 1 4
fa m i l y tree, * 4-*5
general, * 1 6- * 1 7
Ribbon Snake, * 1 05
Ring-necked Snakes, * 76
Robber Frogs, * 1 30
S a l a m a nders, * 1 3 7 ( genera l ) , 1 37- 1 5 3
Blind, * 1 50
Blue-spotted, 1 44-* 1 45
Cave, * 1 5 2
Congo-ee l, * 1 39
Dusky, * 1 46
Fou r-toed, * 1 37, * 1 5 3
Giant, * 1 4 1
Green, "' 1 4 9
Hellbender, * 1 3 7
(eggs), * I 3 9
Jefferson, 1 44-* 1 45

Sala manders (cont. ) :

Long-ta i led, * 1 52
Marbled, 1 44- * 1 45
Mudpu ppy, * 1 3 8
M u d S i rens, * 1 40
N ewts, * 1 4 2-* 1 4 3
Olympic, * 1 4 1
P o i nted, "' 1 48
Purple, * 1 5 1
Red, * 1 5 1
Red-backed, * 1 47
Red Eft, * 1 42- 1 43
Sirens, * 1 40
S l i m y, * 1 47
S potted , * 1 3 7 ( e g gs),
1 44-* 1 45
Texas, 1 44-* 1 45
(eggs),
*1 17
Tiger,
1 44-* 1 45
Tree, * 1 49
Two-lined, * 1 52
Waterdog, * 1 3 8
Worm, * 1 48
Sand Lizards, *55
Sand Snake, * 79, 80
Saw-toothed Slider, *30
Scarlet Snake, *1 00
Sea T u rtles, * 20- * 2 1
S h a r p-ta i l e d S n a ke, * 79,
80
Sheep Frog, *1 36
Short-ta i l e d Snake, *78,
80
Shovel-nosed S n o ke, * 78,
80
Sidewi nder, 1 1 1 , * 1 1 3
S i rens, * 1 40
Skinks, 6 1 (genera l )
Brown, * 6 4
Common Western, *62
F ive-l i ned, 61 , 63
Greater Five-lined, *62
Greater Western, *62
Sand, *64
Sonoran, * 62
S l iders, * 1 B , * 2 8 -* 3 0
S l i m y Salama nder, * 1 47
Snake bite, * 1 5
S n a k e s , * 7 0- * 7 1 ( general), 70- 1 1 3
Black-striped, * 8 3 , 84
Black Swamp, *79, 80
Blind, *72
B o a s , *73
B u l l , 96-*97
Coachwhi p, * 86-87

1 59

INDEX

( Continued )

"' Snakes (cont. ) ,

Cone-nosed, * 7 8 , 80
Copperhead, *1 09
Coral, * 1 08
Corn, *92-93
Cotto nmouth, *1 09
DeKay, * 1 06
Faded , * 9 5
F a n g e d Night, * 8 2 , 8 4
Fangless N i g ht, * 1 0 7
.,.
Flat-headed, * 8 3 , 84
Fox, 9 2 - * 9 3
Garter, * 1 04- * 1 0 5
Glossy, *95
Gopher, 9 7
Green, * 7 7
G r o u n d , * 78 , 80
Hog-nosed, 8 1
Hoop, * 7 5
z
h o w to hold, * 1 4
.., Indigo, *94
0 King, *98-*99
leaf-nosed, * 8 9
M
l i n e d , * 1 06
long-nosed, * 1 0 1
!! lyre, * 1 07
Milk, * 98-99
!:: Mud, *75
Patch-nosed, * 8 8
Pilot black, * 90-9 1
.,
Pine, * 96- 9 7
::
Racers, * 85
; Rainbow, * 7 4
z R a t , * 90- * 9 3
Rattlesnakes, * 1 1 0 *i 1 3
Red-bel lied, * 1 06
Ribbon, * 1 05
Ring-necked, *76
Sand, * 79, 80
Scarlet, * 1 00
Sharp-tailed, *79, 80
Short-tailed, *78, 80
Shovel-nosed, *78, 80
Sidewinder, 1 1 1 , * 1 1 3
Striped C h i c ken, *9091
Striped Swamp, * 79,
80
Texas Hook-nosed,
* 8 2 , 84
Vine, *82, 84
Water, * 1 0 2 - * 1 0 3

N;

1 60

Snakes (cont. ) ,
Water Moccasin, * 1 0 9
Western Hook-nosed,
* 8 2 , 84
Whip, 86- * 8 7
Worm, *72, * 8 3-84
Yellow-li pped, * 8 3-84
S n a p p i n g Turtles, * 1 9,
* 24- * 2 5
Soft-sh e l l e d Turtles, * 1 9,
* 26
S podefoot Toads, * 1 2 1
(tadpole), * 1 1 9
Spiny I guano, 5 1
Spotted Frog, * 1 35
Spotted
S a l a m a n der,
* 1 37, 1 44- * 1 45
Spotted Tu rtle, * 40
Spring
Peeper,
* 1 1 9,
* 1 2 7 * 1 28
Striped s omp Sn oke,
*79, 80
Swifts, 56- * 57

:.V

Tadpoles, * 1 1 9
Tailed Toad, * 1 20
Terrapin, * 37
Terrarium, 1 3, * 1 4
Texas Rattler, * 1 1 1
Texas Salamander, 1 44* 1 45
Tiger Salamander, * 1 1 7
( e g g s ) , 1 44 * 1 4 5
Timber Rattler, 1 1 1 , * 1 1 2
Toads, * 1 1 6- * 1 1 9 (gen
era l ), 1 1 6- 1 2 3
American, * I 1 9 (tadpole), * 1 22 - 1 2 3
B e l l , * 1 20
Fowler, * 1 2 2- 1 2 3
G reat Plains, * 1 2 3
Spadefoot, * 1 1 9 (tadpole), * 1 2 1
tadpoles, * 1 1 9
Toiled, * 1 20
Western, * 1 2 3
Tortoise, "' 2 7
Tortoise shell, 2 1
Tree Frogs, * 1 26-* 1 27,
1 28
Tree Salamander, * 1 4 9
True Iguana, * 5 1
Turtles, 1 8-43
A l l igator Sna pper, * 2 5

T u rtles (cont. ) ,
Blanding, 3 6
B o x , * 1 8, * 3 8 - * 39
Chicken, * 3 1
Diamondback, * 3 7
Gopher, * 2 7
Green, * 1 9, * 2 1
H o w ksbi l l , ' 2 0 2 1
Hieroglyphic, * 30
leatherback, * 1 9, * 20
21
loggerhead, * 2 1
Mop, * 1 9, * 34- * 3 5
M u d , * 1 9, * 23
Muhlenberg, 4 2
Musk, * 2 2
Pacific, *4 1
Poi n ted, * 3 2 - * 3 3
Sea, * 20- * 2 1
Sliders, * 1 8, * 2 8 - * 3 0
S n a p pers, * 1 9, * 24*25
S oft-shelled, * 1 9, * 26
Spotted, * 40
Terrapin, * 3 7
Tortoise, * 2 7
Wood, * 4 3
Two-l n
S a l a m a n der,
2

tt

Utas, *54
Vine Snake, * 8 2 , 84
Waterdog, * 1 3 8
Water Moccasin, * 1 09
Water Snakes, * 1 02-* 1 OJ
Western Toad, * 1 2 3
Whipsnake, 86- * 8 7
Whipto i l lizards, * 65
Whistl i n g Frog, *1 3 1
Wh ite-l i pped Frog, * 1 3 1
Wood Frog, * 1 1 9 (tad
pole), * 1 35
Wood Turtle, * 4 3
W o r m L i z a r d , *68
Worm Salamander, * 1 4 8
Worm S n o k e , * 7 2 , * 83 84
Yellow-lipped S n ake, * 83,
84

VV WW XX YY ZZ

REPTI LES AND AMPH IBIANS

A GOLDEN GUIDE

HERBERT S. ZIM, P h . D . , S c . D . , an o r i g i nator a n d for

mer e d i t o r of the G o l d e n G u i d e Series, was a l so an

a u t h o r fo r many years. A u t h o r of some n i n ety books
and e d i t o r of about as m a ny, h e is now Adj u n ct P ro

fessor at the U n iversity of M i a m i and E d u ca t i o n a l

Con s u l t a n t to t h e A m e r i c a n F r i e n d s S e rv i ce Com m it
tee and o t h e r o rga n izat i o n s . H e works o n ed uca
t i o n a l , p o p u l a t i o n and e n v i ro n m e ntal p ro b l e m s.

HOBART M. SMITH, P h . D . , of t h e U n i ve r s i ty of Colo

rado, at B o u l d er, i s a past pres i d e n t of t h e H e rpeto l o

g i sts' Leag u e a n d t h e a u t h o r of Amph ibians of North

A m erica, a G o l d e n F i e l d G u i d e . H e is one of th e wo r l d ' s

l e ad i n g a u t h o r i t i e s o n rept i l es a n d a m p h i b i a n s .

JAMES G O R D O N I RVI NG has exh i b i ted p a i nti ngs a t

t h e A m e r i c a n M u s e u m of N a t u r a l H i story a n d t h e
N a t i o n a l A u d u bo n Soci ety. I n t h e G o l d e n G u i d e
S e r i e s h e h a s i l l u st rated Mam m a ls, Birds, Insects, Rep
tiles a n d A m p h ibians, Stars, Fishes, and Gamebirds.

GOLDEN PRESS

NEW YORK

24495-1

A GOLDEN G U I DE

REPTILES AND
AMPHIBIANS
REPTI LES A N D AMPH I BIANS, a guide t o the most
fam i l iar American species, separates fact from fable,
differentiates between rep l i les and amphibians, aids
i n the identification of 21 2 species, and acquai nts the
reader with the places where they may be found. I l l u s

trated in fu l l color; maps show approximate ranges.

I S B N 0-307-24495-4