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Snakes
Ring Neck Snake: This little guy (about 6 inches) though wounded
would not leave his home in an old waffle iron. Location: Trash pile in Bull Run Mt Conservancy, VA.
Green Snake: Common but not in October! Harmless. Location:
Sherman's Gap Trail, GWNF, Massanutten Mt, VA.
Plain ol' Northern Water Snake: Non-poisonous but still
gives me the hebee gebees! Location: The Forks of Red Creek, Dolly Sods, MNF, WV.
Brown Snake: Photo by Ken Clark.
Common Black Snake: Photo by Ken Clark.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus): Inhabits rocky
areas. Coils and rattles before striking. Poisonous! Location: Massanutten Mt, GWNF, VA. Photo by Tony Van Vugt.
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Turtles
Box Turtle: Photo by Ken Clark.
Wood Turtle: Becoming scarce. Found this one on Long Pond
Trail, Green Ridge State Forest, MD.
One Very Large Snapping Turtle: Photograped by Doug Trimble. Location: C&O Canal, Great Falls National Park,
MD. Photo by Doug Trimble.
Painted Turtle: Location: Apparently building a nest. Flag Ponds
Nature Park, MD. Photo by Ken Clark.
Red-eared Slider: Great Falls NP, MD. Photo by Ken Clark.
Frogs & Toads
American Toad: Grows to 3 inches. This one was a bit larger
and very plump. This might not be a correct ID. Location: Bluff Trail, SNP, VA.
Wood Frog: Only about 2 inches long. Don Ni saw this
one on Red Creek Tr, Dolly Sods, MNF.
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Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor): This little guy (less
than 2 inches) can change from grey to brown to green rather quickly to match his surroundings. Makes a trilling sound ...
like a turkey. Location: Great Falls National Park, MD. Photo by Ken Clark.
Leopard Frog jumping across some moss. Photo by Ken Clark.
Lizards, Newts and Salamanders
Lead-backed Salamander: Variant of the Northern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon
cinereus). Lives in moist areas, under logs and rocks. Nocturnal. Location: Rose River Tr, SNP, VA.
Fence Lizard (top) and Skink (bottom) havind a territorial debate over a Billy Goat Trail Rock.
Fence Lizards: Very Common. They will freeze when detected
and rely on their camoflauge to protect them. Photo by Ken Clark.
Red Spotted Newt (Terestrial form): Can be found on trails
far from water. The adult form is green and aquatic, never leaving the water. Location: Seneca Creek Trail, MNF, WV.
Spotted Newt (Aquatic form): Olive drab with orange spots and larger, flatter tail. Seen here copulating. Photo
by Ken Clark. C&O Canal tow path near Paw Paw Tunnel, MD.
Electric Blue Crayfish: Because of the low light conditions the brilliant neon blue of this little fellow does
not come through in this photo. Can be found 100s of yards (miles) from any apparent water source. I've been told by rangers
that they migrate via underground streams. This one was high up on the North Face Trail in the Tea Creek Backcountry, MNF,
WV.
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