Birds
Fish
Herps
Insects
Mammals
Plants
American Bullfrog
The american bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is an aquatic frog of the family Ranidae or “true frogs.” It is native to much of North America.
The american bullfrog is named for its loud, guttural bellow, which carries over a great distance. Its call gives the impression that the bullfrog is much larger than it actually is, a useful trick to keep predators away. American bullfrogs have a voracious appetite and eat a variety of animals: insects, fish, snakes and occasionally other frogs. Their hunting style is “sit and wait.”
Common Garter Snake
The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is a species of North American snake within the genus Thamnophis. Because of the similarity of the words, it is sometimes called garden snakes or gardner snakes.
The common garter snake is a non-venomous snake found throughout North America, from Canada to Central America. It is the only species of snake found in Alaska. Unlike most snakes, the garter snake gives live birth. Although it feeds on a variety of small animals, its main prey is earthworms and amphibians. The saliva of the garter snake may be toxic to amphibians and other small animals. For humans, a bite is not dangerous, but it may produce a swelling or burning rash.
Common Snapping Turtle
The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range stretches from southeastern Canada south to Mexico.
The common snapping turtle has a nasty disposition when it is out of water, beak-like jaws and a highly mobile neck and head. It is an omnivore, and its scavenging helps maintain the balance in its ecosystem. Snapping turtles frequently lie under a muddy bottom with only their heads exposed. Their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of their snout, acting as snorkels when they want to take a breath.
Diamondback Terrapin
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a species of turtle that lives in brackish coastal swamps. Its native range reaches from Cape Cod, MA to Cape Sable, FL.
The diamondback terrapin is named for the distinct pattern on the top of its shell, but the overall pattern and coloration varies greatly by species. The main prey of the diamondback terrapin includes snails, clams, crabs and some marsh plants. It is thought to be the only turtle that survives in brackish water habitats. When their internal systems become too salty, diamondbacks secrete salt from their tear ducts to help regulate their salt levels.
Eastern American Toad
The eastern american toad (Bufo a. americanus) is a common species of toad found throughout the eastern United States and Canada.
The warty skin of the eastern american toad contains many glands that produce a milky, poisonous fluid. This poison is excellent protection from many of their predators and is only harmful if it is swallowed or if it gets into the eyes. Eastern american toads are mainly nocturnal. They are most active when the weather is warm and humid. During the day, they hide under rocks or logs or dig into dead leaves and soil. Toads do not drink water but absorb moisture through their skin.
Eastern Box Turtle
The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a subspecies within a group of hinge-shelled turtles. It is native to the eastern part of the United States.
The eastern box turtle can never leave its shell, as it is connected to the body through its fused rib cage. The shell has the ability to regenerate and reform if damaged. The eastern box turtle's eating habit varies greatly due to individual taste, temperature, lighting, and their surrounding environment. Unlike warm-blooded animals, the eastern box turtle's metabolism doesn't drive its appetite. If food is scarce, these turtles can lessen their activity level, retreat into their shells and stop eating.
Eastern Hognose Snake
The eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a snake species found in North America. They are also called spreading adder, black blowing viper, hay-nose snake, spread-head snake or chunk head.
The eastern hognose snake specializes in feeding on toads and is immune to the toxins that toads secrete. It will also eat other amphibians like salamanders and frogs. Hognose snakes are rear-fanged and technically venomous, but the venom is considered to be harmless to humans. Furthermore, they will never bite in defense, unless you smell like their prey, and tend to play dead when threatened. Interestingly, if the “dead” snake is placed on its belly, it will quickly pretend to die and roll upside-down again.
Eastern Milk Snake
The eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) is a species of king snake. It is distributed from southeastern Canada to Ecuador.
The eastern milk snake gets its name from an old wives tale that claimed milk snakes would sneak into barns to suck cow udders to get the milk. Of course, this myth is false and milk snakes do not have the physical capacity to suck milk from a cow. Milk snakes are actually useful on a farm as they eat mice and other rodent pests. They use quick, jerky movements so that their bands flash to startle predators. When threatened, milk snakes will coil into a tight ball.
Eastern Newt
The eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is a common salamander in eastern North America. The most common species is the red-spotted newt.
Eastern newts require a moist environment with either a temporary of permanent body of water. They do especially well in muddy habitats. Eastern newts have three stages of life: the aquatic larva or tadpole, the red eft or terrestrial juvenile stage, and the aquatic adult. As one can guess from their bright coloration, eastern newts excrete toxins that dissuade predators. Due to this chemical defense, they can coexist with fish that often eat other salamanders.
Eastern Ribbon Snake
The eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus) is a subspecies of ribbon snake found in the northeastern United States. It is related to the garter snake.
Eastern ribbon snakes gets their name from their very thin bodies. They are very well adapted to both water and land habitats. They do not dive like water snakes; they glide across the surface of the water. Eastern ribbon snakes prefer to stay active all year round. If the winter months get too cold, they may be forced to hibernate in places like ant mounds, vole tunnels, crayfish burrows and muskrat lodges. If harassed, eastern ribbon snakes will flatten their heads and bite.
Fowler's Toad
The fowler's toad (Bufo woodhousii fowleri) was named in honor of S.P. Fowler, an early naturalist from New England. It is native to North America.
The fowler's toad prefers to live in open woodlands, sand prairies, meadows and beaches. It burrows into the ground during hot, dry periods and in the wintertime. The male fowler's toad has one vocal pouch on its throat for calling. Its call is a harsh yet musical trill, “w-a-a-a-h.” Males will call from ditches, temporary pools or the shallows of permanent bodies of water.
Gray Tree Frog
The gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) is a species of small arboreal frog native to the United Sates. It is sometimes called the North American common tree frog.
The gray tree frog can change its color to match its surroundings, but it does so much more slowly than the chameleon does. It spends its time in wooded areas close to a permanent water source. Gray tree frogs have a high tolerance for the cold. During hibernation, 80% of their bodies freezes, and their breathing and heartbeat are temporarily suspended. Gray tree frogs mainly eat insects.
Green Frog
The green frog (Rana clamitans) is a species of frog native to the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Contrary to its name, it can be found in a variety of colors.
Green frogs will eat anything that fits in their mouthes, including crickets, shrimp, smaller frogs, small snakes, birds, mollusks, moths and their own shed skin. They are primarily nocturnal and a bit braver than most species of frogs. The placement of green frogs' eyes allow them to spot predators without exposing the rest of their bodies. They have long, powerful hind legs that make them excellent leapers and one of the fastest types of amphibians.
Italian Wall Lizard
The italian wall lizard (Podarcis sicula) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. It is an introduced species.
The italian wall lizard was originally introduced to Long Island from Europe in 1967. It is adapted well to urban conditions and there are some abundant local populations. Italian wall lizards must bask in the sun to regulate its body temperature and synthesize vitamin d. They primarily hunt on the ground and can run quickly and for a long period of time. Italian wall lizards can survive colder temperatures as long as they are kept dry.
Northern Black Racer
The northern black racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor) is a member of the genus Coluber. It is native to North America.
The northern black racer does not constrict, as its scientific name implies, but pins its prey with body loops and swallows it whole. It is a quick-moving snake often seen moving over ground with its head held above the ground to see over grass and bush. The northern black racer is carnivorous and will eat butterfly and moth larvae, frogs, skinks, small birds, northern flying squirrels, mice and chipmunks. They hibernate in rocky hillsides.
Northern Brown Snake
Northern brown snakes (Storeria dekayi) are non-venomous snakes found in northeastern America. They were formally called Dekay's snake after the Portuguese-American zoologist James Ellsworth Dekay, who collected the first specimen in Long Island.
Northern brown snakes typically prefer areas near water or other damp places. They are common in suburban yards and urban parks but are rarely seen due to their secretive nature. Northern brown snakes feed on earthworms, snails and slugs. They never bite when captured and their only real defense mechanism is to excrete a noxious fluid from their musk glands. The northern brown snake is one of the only North American snakes to survive in abundance in densely populated regions.
Northern Ring-Necked Snake
The northern ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) is a common snake throughout North America. Its range extends from Novia Scotia down through southern Quebec to south-central Mexico.
Northern ring-necked snakes have a weak venom that is harmless to humans but subdues their prey. Their diet is comprised of a variety of invertebrates, amphibians, lizards and other small snakes. They are secretive and non-aggressive. Ringed-necks prowl nocturnally and rarely exposes themselves to daylight. Northern ring-necked snakes communicate with each other through touching, rubbing, head nuzzling and pheromone secretion.
Northern Spring Peeper
The northern spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small tree frog. It is widespread throughout the eastern United States and Canada.
The northern spring peeper is one of the first frogs to begin calling in spring. Its call is a very shrill and repetitious peep. The louder and faster the male peeps, the better his chances of attracting a receptive female. They reproduce successfully in fishless wetlands. Although they are adept at climbing, spring peepers seem to prefer to be on the ground or hiding in leaf litter.
Northern Two-lined Salamander
The northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata) is a species of salamander in the Plethodontidae family. It is native to Canada and the United States.
Northern two-lined salamanders are insectivores and consume beetles, mayflies, spiders, pill bugs and centipedes. They live close to flowing water in both woodland and open areas. Northern two-lined salamanders can usually be found under rocks, logs, or leaf mats. During winter months, they will retreat underground until the weather warms up. Northern two-lined salamanders can drop their tails, which continue to move, to escape from predators.
Northern Water Snake
Northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) are snakes in the family Colubridae. They are found in the northeastern United States.
Northern water snakes grow over four feet long and are non-venomous. They are always found in or adjacent to water. Northern water snakes prefer slow moving water, but can easily maneuver in stronger currents. Their diet consists mainly of various small-sized fish, frogs, toads, and salamanders. The northern water snake often escape predators by swimming off across a body of water or by diving below the surface, where they anchor themselves to logs.
Painted Turtle
The painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) is a reptile in the family Emydidae. It is common in southern Canada, the United States and northern Mexico.
The painted turtle gets its common name from the beautiful and colorful design on the underside, or plastron, of the shell. The painted turtle spends most of its time in the water, but can be observed basking in the sun on floating logs or on rocks by the shore. They bask because they cannot generate heat or regulate their own body temperature. Painted turtles prefer living in freshwater that is quiet, shallow and has a thick layer of mud.
Red-eared slider
The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a semi-aquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is native to the United States.
Red-eared sliders prefer calm, wet habitats with a basking area. It is common for red-eared sliders to bask together and even on top of each other. They are very aware of predators and people and will frantically slide off rocks and logs when approached â hence their common name. New hatchlings will cut open their egg with an egg tooth.
Wood Frog
Wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) have a broad North American distribution. They are forest-dwelling organisms.
Wood frogs are the only North American amphibians that live north of the Arctic circle. They do not sit at the water's edge and sing with inflated throat sacs like most frogs and toads. Wood frogs sing while floating on the water surface. To produce its odd song, the frog passes air over its vocal chords from a pair of inflated sacs located just behind the head. It produces a duck-like quaking sound, described by some as a “lot of chuckling.”
