The vast marshes and bordering swamps which comprise Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge offer ideal living conditions for an array of reptiles and amphibians. Some of these creatures are often easily observed, such as a painted turtle basking on a log on a summer's day, but most are shy and elusive during the day, and some are nocturnal (active mainly at night). These cold-blooded animals become dormant with the onset of winter, but with spring's return, the wetlands come alive with the sounds of frogs and toads, and with the activities of turtles, snakes, and salamanders. Water snakes ripple the surface waters and rat snakes hunt in the woodlands; turtles appear on the roads during their wanderings; and toads are conspicuous throughout the drier areas.

All of these animals, from the smallest salamander to the largest snapping turtle, are important to the ecosystem of Blackwater. Many reptiles and amphibians feed on insects, others on rodents, and most, in turn, are fed upon by raccoons, egrets, or a host of other animals. But whether predator or prey, they all contribute to the rich assortment of wildlife which makes Blackwater so unique. Please note that all reptiles and amphibians are protected on the Refuge and may not be collected or killed.

The reptiles and amphibians in the following list have been identified on Blackwater Refuge by Refuge staff. The occurrence of some of the more rare and secretive reptiles and amphibians has not been fully substantiated; however, they are included here due to their expected occurrence based on range and habitat data. To aid in further refinement of this list, your observations and suggestions are welcome.

Turtles:

Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
A large, common turtle in freshwater ponds and marsh; also inhabits brackish marsh. Aggressive on land, seldom so in water. Lays eggs in upland areas in late spring. Omnivorous- feeds on vegetation as well as small animals, young waterfowl, and carrion.

Stinkpot
Sternotherus odoratus
Aquatic, bottom-loving species found in freshwater areas. Avoids brackish waters. Named for a musky secretion exuded when handled.

Eastern Mud Turtle
Kinosternon subrubrum
A good swimmer. Another bottom-loving turtle, though likes land. Found in brackish marsh as well as freshwater. More common than skinkpot, which it resembles.

Spotted Turtle
Clemmys guttata
These common turtles, also known as "polka dot" turtles, are seen most often in the spring. They tend to prefer shallow bodies of water and can be found in and around small ponds or roadside ditches. Younger turtles usually have only one spot per scute or scale on their shell, while older turtles will have a more scattered pattern of a hundred or more dots. Spotted turtles like to bask and are not aggressive.

Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina
A dry-land turtle most frequently seen in the woodlands. A slow and deliberate mover. Omnivorous and feeds on fruits and other pland materials as well as small animals. Can live for 40 years or more.

Diamondback Terrapin
Malaclemys terrapin
Terrapins have a beautifully ridged shell and speckled face. The brown line that runs along their face has caused people to comment on the turtle's unusual smile! The word "terrapin" is actually derived from a French word meaning "soup turtle," which is what these turtles were trapped for. Today terrapin soup can still be found on the menu occasionally in smaller Eastern Shore towns. This turtle frequents salt marsh and brackish water habitats and likes to bask. Feeds on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects. Lays eggs on dikes and uplands in early summer.

Red-bellied Turtle
Chrysemys rubriventris
Uncommon. Prefers larger bodies of fresh water. Basks like the painted turtle but is much larger. Largely vegetarian.

Eastern Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
The most conspicuous turtle on the Refuge. Can be seen throughout the summer and into the autumn basking in the sun on logs or stumps in the freshwater pools and brackish marsh. Turtles are cold-blooded, like most reptiles, and use the heat from the sun to regulate their body temperatures. This turtle is an excellent swimmer although it may wander far from water. Feeds on aquatic vegetation, insects, and other small animals.

Lizards and Skinks:

Northern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus
Favorite habitats are rotting stumps and logs. Arboreal (climbs trees). Feeds on insects and other invertebrates.

Ground Skink
Leiolopisma laterale
As name implies, this skink is ground dwelling and seldom climbs. Will enter shallow water to escape. Insectivorous (feeds largely on insects).

Five-lined Skink
Eumeces fasciatus
Mainly ground dwelling but may occasionally climb trees. Prefers cutover woodlands with many rotting stumps or logs. Habitat usually damp. Insectivorous.

Broad-headed Skink
Eumeces laticeps
A large woodland skink. The most arboreal of the skinks.

Snakes:

Red-bellied Water Snake
Nattrix erythrogaster
Very common. Aquatic, though often wanders well away from water in hot, humid weather. Both water snakes like to bask on logs or brush and are adept at swimming and diving.

Northern Water Snake
Natrix sipedon
This is the only large water snake in most of the Northeast, with a record length of 55 inches. Common throughout the more freshwater wetlands of the Refuge. Obtains food -- including frogs, salamanders, and small fish -- in or near water. These snakes are usually found in slow-moving, placid water areas, but have also been known to populate flowing river areas, as well. Water snakes, although not venomous, do have a nasty bite. They have what is known as an "aseptic" mouth, basically meaning that their mouth is a haven for bacteria and a bite is a sure recipe for infection if not treated appropriately. These snakes are not aggressive, but will bite if provoked. Both water snakes, though harmless, are sometimes mistaken for the venonmous water moccasin, which does not occur in Maryland.

Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Common throughout fields, woods, and marsh edge habitats. Feeds on small animals from earthworms to frogs.

Eastern Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sauritus
Semi-aquatic, seldom far from marsh or ponds. Prefers shallow water, swimming at the surface instead of diving as water snakes do. Eats salamanders, frogs, and small fishes.

Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platyrhinos
Prefers sandy areas. Feeds mainly on toads; also eats frogs, tadpoles, and insects.

Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Secretive. Found under logs, loose bark of dead trees in most habitats. Prey includes earthworms and other small salamanders, lizards, and snakes.

Eastern Worm Snake
Carphophis amoenus
Likes moist earth. Usually found under logs, boards, or other debris.

Northern Black Racer
Coluber constrictor
An active snake. Feeds on rodents, small birds, other snakes, frogs, and insects. Diurnal (active by day).

Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus
Semi-aquatic and an excellent climber. Food consists of spiders, small insects and their larvae.

Corn Snake
Elaphe guttata
Climbs well, though mainly terrestrial, spending much time underground. Kills mice, young rats, and small birds by constriction; young corn snakes eat mostly frogs.

Black Rat Snake
Elaphe obsoleta
A common large snake. Usually seen on the ground though an excellent climber. Kills its prey by constriction. Feeds on birds, eggs, and mice.

Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getulus
Generally secretive and terrestrial through likes borders of swamps. Swims readily. Largely nocturnal in hot weather. Eats snakes, turtle eggs, rodents, and small birds.

Eastern Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Secretive. Feeds on rodents, birds, lizards, and snakes.

Northern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson
Copperheads are the only poisonous snake found on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. These golden-brown patterned snakes are shy and not commonly seen. They are not aggressive and (as is true with most animals) will not bite unless provoked or startled. Often found near rotting logs or piles of debris. Mice, frogs, and lizards are their principal food.

* Amphibians *

(Amphibians lack external scales, have two pairs of limbs for walking or swimming, and usually moist skin; they include salamanders, toads, and frogs. Amphibians derive their name -- amphibious double life -- from their adaptation to a life both in the water and on land.)

Salamanders

Marbled Salamander
Ambystoma opacum
Largely subterranean, living underground except during brief breeding season in autumn. Eats earthworms and other invertebrates.

Spotted Salamander
Ambystoma tigrinum
Subterranean. A very early spring breeder.

Red-spotted Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens
Largely aquatic, except in land stage, the red eft form. May remain active all winter in aquatic form, even under ice.

Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
Terrestrial. Nocturnal, hiding under all manner of objects by day. Feeds primarily on insects and spiders.

Eastern Mud Salamander
Pseudotriton montanus
Found in muddy places. Burrows in mud to escape.

Toads and Frogs

Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Scaphiopus holbrooki
Usually found in areas with sandy soil.

American Toad
Bufo americanus
Possibly occurs on refuge. Primarily nocturnal, feeds on insects.

Fowler's Toad
Bufo woodhousei fowleri
Fowler's Toad, named for Massachusetts naturalist S.P. Fowler, blends in perfectly with its environment. At Blackwater in the spring and summer months, sunset is accompanied by the beginning of the nightly toad and frog chorus that will echo on until dawn. Abundant throughout the Refuge, in freshwater and brackish marsh areas, fields and woods. Feeds largely on insects. Primarily nocturnal.

Northern Cricket Frog
Acris crepitans
A small nonclimbing frog that's found in permanent bodies of water, where it uses emergent vegetation for cover.

Northern Spring Peeper
Hyla crucifer
A small woodland frog. Arboreal. Prefers swamps or wet woods. Seldom noticed except in spring breeding season when their piping song is heard.

Green Treefrog
Hyla cinerea
Arboreal. Throughout fresher wetlands.

Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor
A small tree frog, seldom seen on the ground; usually forages in small trees and shrubs. Can be found in dry as well as freshwater habitats.

Chorus Frog
Pseudacris triseriata
A small treefrog that climbs very little. Can be found in dry as well as freshwater habitats.

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Frog
Gastrophryne carolinensis
Nocturnal, burrows in damp areas. Ants are primary prey.

Bullfrog
Rana catesbeiana
A large and common frog in the larger bodies of fresh water. Feeds primarily on insects, as do nearly all frogs.

Green Frog
Rana clamitans melanota
May be found wherever there is shallow fresh water.

Southern Leopard Frog
Rana utricularia
Common in shallow freshwater habitats. Also at edge of brackish marsh. Ventures well away from water in summer.

Pickerel Frog
Rana palustris
Common in freshwater and brackish marsh. Also found in fields and wood margins.