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THE
HERPETOFAUNAL BIODIVERSITY OF RAMAH CREEK
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(Photo by David Scott) |
Beginning in January of 2001, I began documenting the diversity of amphibians and reptiles on the Ramah Creek Conservation using such sampling techniques such as minnow traps, coverboards, and general herpetological searching. We estimated approximately 52 species could potentially live on the easement based on current amphibian and reptile distributions in the state, and thus far, we have found 34! The most notable record was the Timber Rattlesnake, but there were many other incredible species. These include:
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ANURA |
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Acris crepitans (Northern
Cricket Frog)
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Bufo americanus (American
Toad)
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Bufo fowleri (Fowler's
Toad)
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Hyla chrysoscelis (Gray
Treefrog)
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Pseudacris crucifer (Spring
Peeper)
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Pseudacris ferarium (Chorus
Frog)
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Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog)
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Rana palustris (Pickerel
Frog)
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Rana utricularia (Southern
Leopard Frog)
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CAUDATA
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Ambystoma opacum (Marbled
Salamander)
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Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted
Salamander)
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Desmognathus fuscus (Dusky
Salamander)
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Eurycea cirrigera (Southern
Two-lined Salamander)
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Notophthalmus viridescens (Red-spotted
Newt)
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Plethodon cylindraceus (Northern
Slimy Salamander)
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TESTUDINES
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Chelydra serpentina (Snapping
Turtle)
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Kinosternon subrubrum (Eastern
Mud Turtle)
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Terrapene carolina (Eastern
Box Turtle)
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LACERTILIA
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Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Six-lined
Racerunner)
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Eumeces fasciatus (Five-lined
Skink)
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Eumeces inexpectatus (Southeastern
Five-lined Skink)
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Sceloporus undulatus (Fence
Lizard)
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SERPENTES
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Agkistrodon contortrix (Copperhead)
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Carphophis amoenus (Eastern
Worm Snake)
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Coluber constrictor (Northern
Black Racer)
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Crotalus horridus (Timber
Rattlesnake)
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Diadophis punctatus (Southern
Ringneck Snake)
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Elaphe obsoleta (Black
Rat Snake)
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Lampropeltis getula (Eastern
Kingsnake)
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Nerodia sipedon (Northern
Water Snake)
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Opheodrys aestivus (Rough
Green Snake)
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Storeria dekayi (Northern
Brown Snake)
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Storeria occipitomaculata (Redbelly
Snake)
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Virginia valeriae (Smooth
Earth Snake)
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