This list contains all herptiles (reptiles andamphibians) known to have been found at theSchiff Nature Preserve. Schiff has been home toat least 17 species of reptiles and 15 differentamphibians.

Work still needs to be done to add to ourunderstanding of herpitile distribution at Schiff. Please send comments or sight-ings to: info@schiffnaturepreserve.org or call the Nature Center at 973-543-6004.Reports should include sighting date, exactlocation, observed behavior and photographs,if possible.

Resources for studying these fascinatingcreatures in our home state: The NJ Divisionof Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered andNongame Species Program has produced aField Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians ofNew Jersey and a related CD, Calls of NewJersey Frogs and Toads.

Special thanks to Brian Zarate, Bruce Taterkaand the 2009 High School Wildlife ProjectParticipants. Funding for this project wasprovided by NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife’sConserve Wildlife Matching Grant Program.

List updated: January 2010.

1984 - 2009Celebrating 25 Years

Xxxxxxx xxxxxxWood Frog, Eastern Box Turtle, American Toad, and Wood Turtle photos courtesy of Brian Zarate.

Ringneck Snake and Spotted Salamander photos courtesy of Allen Barlow.

Reptiles & Amphibians

OF SCH I F F NATURE PRESERVE

ReptilesReptiles are cold blooded animals that layeggs on land and breathe air from birth.Meaning “to creep,” reptiles have dry skin andscales or, as is the case of turtles, modifiedscales called scutes. Eleven types of snakesand six types of turtles have historically madetheir homes at Schiff.

SnakesSnakes can sometimes be spotted during theday warming themselves in the sun. Theyalso spend time hiding under rocks andlogs. Copperheads are the only venomoussnake to ever have been recorded at Schiff.The last sighting was in 1962.

TurtlesMost turtles live in wet habitats, althoughsome species, like the Eastern Box Turtle,spend most of their time in the upland,wooded habitats at Schiff.

AmphibiansAmphibians, whose name means “livingdouble lives”, lay their eggs in water or dampareas. After hatching, the young spend the first phase of their lives under waterbreathing through gills until they developlungs. Most amphibians have moist, smoothskin that can be sticky as it is laden withmucous glands. Seven species of salamander,one newt, six frogs and one toad have beenfound at Schiff.

Salamanders and NewtsThese slimy creatures require damp, humidhabitats and can be found hiding underrocks and logs. (The adult Red-SpottedNewt is aquatic.) If you are out searching,please remember to always replace objects

Schiff Natural Lands Trust339 Pleasant Valley Road

Mendham, NJ 07945973-543-6004

www.schiffnaturepreserve.org

1984 - 2009Celebrating 25 Years

Paper info to come(Continued on inside)

Eastern Box TurtlePhoto: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ

Wood FrogPhoto: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJSpotted Salamander

Ringneck Snake

ReptilesSnakes� Black Rat SnakeElaphe o. obsoleta U

� Eastern Garter SnakeThamnophis s. sirtalis C

� Eastern Hognose Snake*Heterodon platyrhinos R/E

� Eastern Milk SnakeLampropeltis t. triangulum U

� Eastern Worm Snake*Carphophis a. amoenus R/E

� Northern Black RacerColuber c. constrictor R

� Northern Copperhead*Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen E

� Northern Ringneck SnakeDiadophis punctatus edwardsi U

� Northern Water SnakeNerodia s. sipedon C

� Smooth Green Snake*Liochlorophis vernalis R/E

� Southern Ringneck Snake*Diadophis p. punctatus R/E

Key To StatusC - Common; seen in proper habitat at proper timeU - Uncommon; occasionally seenR - Rare; Seen at Schiff, but unexpectedE - Extirpated* Last recorded sighting in 1962

Turtles� Common Snapping TurtleChelydra s. serpentina U

� Eastern Box TurtleTerrapene c. carolina U

� Eastern Painted TurtleChrysemys p. picta C

� Musk Turtle*Sternotherus oderatus R/E

� Spotted TurtleClemmys guttata R

� Wood Turtle Glyptemys insculpta U

AmphibiansSalamanders & Newts� Jefferson’s Salamander*Ambystoma jeffersonianum R/E

� Northern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus f. fuscus U

� Northern Red SalamanderPseudotriton r. ruber U

� Northern Slimy Salamander*Plethodon g. glutinosus R/E

� Northern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea b. bislineata C

� Nothern Redback SalamanderPlethodon c. cinereus C

� Red-spotted NewtNotophthalmus v. viridescens U

� Spotted Salamander*Ambystoma maculatum R/E

Frogs & Toads� American ToadAnaxyrus americanus C

� BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus C

� Eastern Gray TreefrogHyla versicolor C

� Green FrogLithobates clamitans melanotus C

� Pickerel FrogLithobates palustris C

� Spring PeeperPseudacris crucifer C

� Wood FrogLithobates sylvaticus C

Common NameLatin Name Current Status

American Toad

Reptiles & Amphibians Checklist of Schiff Nature Preserve Area

that you have moved or flipped over sothe creatures can safely make their wayback under their protective cover.

Frogs and ToadsFrogs and toads can be found in severaltypes of wet sites. Look for most near theponds, wetlands and vernal pools foundat Schiff. American Toads can toleratedrier conditions and may be found greatdistances from water. Frogs and toadsproduce distinctly different calls duringthe mating season and, with some practice,their calls are easily identifiable.

(Salamanders & Newts Continued)

Wood Turtle