Ontario Herps Flashcards
Spotted Salamander Scientific Name
Ambystoma maculatum
Spotted Salamander Status
Not assessed
Spotted Salamander Description
- Broadly rounded Snout
- Intercostal grooves
- Yellow-orange spots
Ambystoma maculatum
Spotted Salamander
Salamander
- Broadly rounded Snout
- Intercostal grooves
- Yellow-orange spots
Spotted Salamander
Small-Mouthed Salamander Scientific Name
Ambystoma texanum
Small-Mouthed Salamander Status
Endangered
Ambystoma texanum
Small-Mouthed Salamander
Blue-Spotted Salamander Scientific Name
Ambystoma laterale
Blue-Spotted Salamander Status
Not assessed
Blue-Spotted Salamander Description
- Blue spots
- Long tail, oval at base and compressed at tip
- Mix with Jefferson’s salamanders
Ambystoma laterale
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Salamander
- Blue spots
- Long tail, oval at base and compressed at tip
- Mix with Jefferson’s salamanders
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Jefferson’s Salamander Scientific Name
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Jefferson’s Salamander Status
Endangered
Jefferson’s Salamander Description
- Long snout
- Long toes
- Mix with blue-spotteds so may have blue spots
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Jefferson’s Salamander
Salamander
- Long snout
- Long toes
- Mix with blue-spotteds so may have blue spots
Jefferson’s Salamander
Unisexual Salamander Scientific Name
Ambystoma unisexuals
Unisexual Salamander Status
Endagered
Ambystoma unisexuals
Unisexual Salamander
Eastern Red-Backed Salamander Scientific Name
Plethodon cinereus
Eastern Red-Backed Salamander Status
Not assessed
Eastern Red-Backed Salamander Description
- Red skunk-stripe along back
- 16-18 intercostal grooves
Plethodon cinereus
Eastern Red-Backed Salamander
Salamander
- Red skunk-stripe along back
- 16-18 intercostal grooves
Eastern Red-Backed Salamander
Four-Toed Salamander Scientific Name
Hemidactylium scutatum
Four-Toed Salamander Status
Not at risk
Four-Toed Salamander Description
- 4 toes (only one with 4 toes on hind feet)
- White belly with black spots
Hemidactylium scutatum
Four-Toed Salamander
Salamander
- 4 toes (only one with 4 toes on hind feet)
- White belly with black spots
Four-Toed Salamander
Northern Two-Lined Salamander Scientific Name
Eurycea bislineata
Northern Two-Lined Salamander Status
Not assessed
Northern Two-Lined Salamander Description
- 2 yellow-greenish to dark orange lines down back (not red)
- Slender body
Eurycea bislineata
Northern Two-Lined Salamander
Salamander
- 2 yellow-greenish to dark orange lines down back (not red)
- Slender body
Northern Two-Lined Salamander
Northern Dusky Salamander Status
Endangered
Desmognathus fuscus
Northern Dusky Salamander
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Scientific Name
Desmognathus ochrophaeus
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Status
Endangered
Desmognathus ochrophaeus
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander
Eastern Red-Spotted Newt Scientific Name
Notophthalmus viridescens
Eastern Red-Spotted Newt Status
Not assessed
Eastern Red-Spotted Newt Description
- Red spots with black borders
- Laterally compressed tail with prominent ridge
- Red eft, olive brown adult (both have the red spots)
Notophthalmus viridescens
Eastern Red-Spotted Newt
Salamander
- Red spots with black borders
- Laterally compressed tail with prominent ridge
- Red eft, olive brown adult (both have the red spots)
Eastern Red-Spotted Newt
Mudpuppy Scientific Name
Necturus maculosus
Mudpuppy Status
Not at risk
Mudpuppy Description
Frond/frill- like gills
Necturus maculosus
Mudpuppy
Salamander with frond/frill- like gills
Mudpuppy
American Toad Scientific Name
Anaxyrus (Bufo) americanus
American Toad Status
Not assessed
American Toad Description
- Splotchy belly
- 1-2 warts per spot
Anaxyrus (Bufo) americanus
American Toad
Toad
- Splotchy belly
- 1-2 warts per spot
American Toad
Fowler’s Toad Scientific Name
Anaxyrus (Bufo) fowleri
Fowler’s Toad Status
Endangered
Fowler’s Toad Description
- White belly
- 3+ warts per spot
Anaxyrus (Bufo) fowleri
Fowler’s Toad
Toad
- White belly
- 3+ warts per spot
Fowler’s Toad
Grey Treefrog Scientific Name
Hyla versicolor
Grey Treefrog Status
Not assessed
Grey Treefrog Description
- Sticky toe pads
- Yellow inner thighs
Hyla versicolor
Grey Treefrog
Frog
- Sticky toe pads
- Yellow inner thighs
Grey Treefrog
Spring Peeper Scientific Name
Pseudacris crucifer
Spring Peeper Status
Not assessed
Spring Peeper Description
- X on back
- Tiny
- Toe pads
Pseudacris crucifer
Spring Peeper
Frog
- X on back
- Tiny
- Toe pads
Spring Peeper
Western Chorus Frog Scientific Name
Pseudacris triseriata
Western Chorus Frog Status
Not at risk
Western Chorus Frog Description
- Line along side from nostrils
- 3 broken dorsal stripes
- White stripe on upper lip (milk moustache)
Pseudacris triseriata
Western Chorus Frog
Frog
- Line along side from nostrils
- 3 broken dorsal stripes
- White stripe on upper lip (milk moustache)
Western Chorus Frog
Northern Leopard Frog Scientific Name
Lithobates pipiens
Northern Leopard Frog Status
Not at risk
Northern Leopard Frog Description
- Lateral fold all the way down back
- White line from snout to shoulder
- Leopard spots
- Green and brown
- Similar to pickerel frog but rounder spots
Lithobates pipiens
Northern Leopard Frog
Frog
- Lateral fold all the way down back
- White line from snout to shoulder
- Leopard spots
- Green and brown
- Similar to pickerel frog but rounder spots
Northern Leopard Frog
Wood Frog Scientific Name
Lithobates sylvaticus
Wood Frog Status
Not assessed
Wood Frog Description
- Dark mask
- White line on upper lip (milk moustache)
- Fold is a different colour than skin
Lithobates sylvaticus
Wood Frog
Frog
- Dark mask
- White line on upper lip (milk moustache)
- Fold is a different colour than skin
Wood Frog
Green Frog Scientific Name
Lithobates clamitans
Green Frog Status
Not assessed
Green Frog Description
- Large tympanum
- ♀has bright yellow throat
- Stripes across leg
- Similar to bullfrog, but lateral lines go all the way
Lithobates clamitans
Green Frog
Frog
- Large tympanum
- ♀has bright yellow throat
- Stripes across leg
- Similar to bullfrog, but lateral lines go all the way
Green Frog
Mink Frog Scientific Name
Lithobates septentrionalis
Mink Frog Status
Not assessed
Mink Frog Description
Lots of black blotches, fold only goes part way down back, no bands on legs
Lithobates septentrionalis
Mink Frog
Lots of black blotches, fold only goes part way down back, no bands on legs
Mink Frog
Pickerel Frog Scientific Name
Lithobates palustris
Pickerel Frog Status
Not at risk
Pickerel Frog Description
- Ladder-like pattern made from rectangular spots
- Similar to leopard frog but more angular spots
- Orange on legs
Lithobates palustris
Pickerel Frog
Frog
- Ladder-like pattern made from rectangular spots
- Similar to leopard frog but more angular spots
- Orange on legs
Pickerel Frog
American Bullfrog Scientific Name
Lithobates catesbeianus
American Bullfrog Status
Not assessed
American Bullfrog Description
- Large tympanum
- Yellow chin
- HUGE
- Similar to green frog, but lateral line goes around tympanum (glasses)
Lithobates catesbeianus
American Bullfrog
Frog
- Large tympanum
- Yellow chin
- HUGE
- Similar to green frog, but lateral line goes around tympanum (glasses)
American Bullfrog
Snapping Turtle Scientific Name
Chelydra serpentina
Snapping Turtle Status
Special concern
Snapping Turtle Description
Dino ridges on tail
Chelydra serpentina
Snapping Turtle
Turtle with dino ridges on tail
Snapping Turtle
Spiny Softshell Scientific Name
Apalone spinifera
Spiny Softshell Status
Threatened
Spiny Softshell Description
- Soft, flat shell
- Long pig nose
- More bumpy than spiny
Apalone spinifera
Spiny soft shell
Turtle
- Soft, flat shell
- Long pig nose
- More bumpy than spiny
Spiny Softshell
Spotted Turtle Scientific Name
Clemmys guttata
Spotted Turtle Status
Endangered
Spotted Turtle Description
- Black shell with yellow-orange round spots
- ♀light face with lipstick, ♂dark face
- Very small
- Shell similar to Blanding’s
Clemmys guttata
Spotted Turtle
Turtle
- Black shell with yellow-orange round spots
- ♀light face with lipstick, ♂dark face
- Very small
- Shell similar to Blanding’s
Spotted Turtle
Northern Map Turtle Scientific Name
Graptemys geographica
Northern Map Turtle Status
Special concern
Northern Map Turtle Description
- Topographic map pattern
- Peeling shell
- ♀» ♂
Graptemys geographica
Northern Map Turtle
Turtle
- Topographic map pattern
- Peeling shell
- ♀» ♂
Northern Map Turtle
Blanding’s Turtle Scientific Name
Emydoidea blandingii
Blanding’s Turtle Status
Threatened
Blanding’s Turtle Description
- Yellow-white flecking on carapace
- Bright yellow chin
- Smiling
- Shell similar to spotted
Emydoidea blandingii
Blanding’s Turtle
Turtle
- Yellow-white flecking on carapace
- Bright yellow chin
- Smiling
- Shell similar to spotted
Blanding’s Turtle
Midland Painted Turtle Scientific Name
Chrysemys picta marginata
Midland Painted Turtle Status
Not assessed
Midland Painted Turtle Description
- Plain beige plastron
- Yellow face to red neck/shell
Chrysemys picta marginata
Midland Painted Turtle
Turtle
- Plain beige plastron
- Yellow face to red neck/shell
Midland Painted Turtle
Western Painted Turtle Scientific Name
Chrysemys picta bellii
Western Painted Turtle Status
Not at risk
Western Painted Turtle Description
- Colourful plastron
- Yellow on body, only red on shell
Chrysemys picta bellii
Western Painted Turtle
Turtle
- Colourful plastron
- Yellow on body, only red on shell
Western Painted Turtle
Five-Lined Skink Scientific Name
Plestiodion (Eumeces) fasciatus
Five-Lined Skink Status
Endangered/special concern
Five-Lined Skink Description
- 5 lines along back
- Blue tail only on juvenile
Plestiodion (Eumeces) fasciatus
Five-Lined Skink
Lizard
- 5 lines along back
- Blue tail only on juvenile
Five-Lined Skink
Queensnake Scientific Name
Regina septemvittata
Queensnake Status
Endangered
Regina septemvittata
Queensnake
Northern Watersnake Scientific Name
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Northern Watersnake Status
Not at risk
Northern Watersnake Description
- Saddle-like pattern on back
- Half moon pattern on belly scales
- Not Lake Erie, on mainland
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Northern Watersnake
Snake
- Saddle-like pattern on back
- Half moon pattern on belly scales
- Not Lake Erie, on mainland
Northern Watersnake
Lake Erie Watersnake Scientific Name
Nerodia sipedon insularium
Lake Erie Watersnake Status
Special Concern
Lake Erie Watersnake Description
- Flecking on scales
- Lake Erie, on islands
Nerodia sipedon insularium
Lake Erie Watersnake
Snake
- Flecking on scales
- Lake Erie, on islands
Lake Erie Watersnake
Dekay’s Brownsnake Scientific Name
Storeria dekayi
Dekay’s Brownsnake Status
Not assessed
Dekay’s Brownsnake Description
- Lighter lateral line on back
- 2 rows of spots
Storeria dekayi
Dekay’s Brownsnake
Snake
- Lighter lateral line on back
- 2 rows of spots
Dekay’s Brownsnake
Red-Bellied Snake Scientific Name
Storeria occipito-maculata
Red-Bellied Snake Status
Not assessed
Red-Bellied Snake Description
- Red belly
- 3 (red) spots on neck
- Smallest Canadian snake
Storeria occipito-maculata
Red-Bellied Snake
Snake
- Red belly
- 3 (red) spots on neck
- Smallest Canadian snake
Red-Bellied Snake
Butler’s Garter Snake Scientific Name
Thamnophis butleri
Butler’s Garter Snake Status
Endangered
Butler’s Garter Snake Description
- Stripe spilling onto scale rows 2 & 4 from 3
- Extreme SW Ontario
Thamnophis butleri
Butler’s Garter Snake
Snake
- Stripe spilling onto scale rows 2 & 4 from 3
- Extreme SW Ontario
Butler’s Garter Snake
Eastern Garter Snake Scientific Name
Thamnophis sirtalis
Eastern Garter Snake Status
Not assessed
Eastern Garter Snake Description
- Stripe on 2 scale rows (rows 2 & 3)
- Crisper stripes
- More widespread
Thamnophis sirtalis
Eastern Garter Snake
Snake
- Stripe on 2 scale rows (rows 2 & 3)
- Crisper stripes
- More widespread
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake Scientific Name
Thamnophis sauritus
Eastern Ribbon Snake Status
Special concern
Eastern Ribbon Snake Description
- Crispest stripes of the garters
- Stripes don’t mix into belly scales
- White eyeliner
Thamnophis sauritus
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Snake
- Crispest stripes of the garters
- Stripes don’t mix into belly scales
- White eyeliner
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake Scientific Name
Heterodon platirhinos
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake Status
Threatened
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake Description
Pig nose
Heterodon platirhinos
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake
Snake with pig nose
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake
Northern Ring-Necked Snake Scientific Name
Diadophis punctatus
Northern Ring-Necked Snake Status
Not assessed
Northern Ring-Necked Snake Description
- Ring around neck
- Spots (punct.) on scales
Diadophis punctatus
Northern Ring-Necked Snake
Snake
- Ring around neck
- Spots (punct.) on scales
Northern Ring-Necked Snake
Blue Racer Scientific Name
Coluber constrictor foxii
Blue Racer Status
Endangered
Blue Racer Description
- Blue-grey (juveniles are flashy)
- Raccoon mask eyes
- Only on Peelee Island
Coluber constrictor foxii
Blue Racer
Snake
- Blue-grey (juveniles are flashy)
- Raccoon mask eyes
- Only on Peelee Island
Blue Racer
Eastern Foxsnake Scientific Name
Pantherophis (Elaphe) gloydi
Eastern Foxsnake Status
Endangered/threatened
Eastern Foxsnake Description
- Black cheetah spots on brown skin
- Rusty face
- Long and VERY skinny
- Similar to Massasauga Rattlesnake but round eyes and darker
Pantherophis (Elaphe) gloydi
Eastern Foxsnake
Snake
- Black cheetah spots on brown skin
- Rusty face
- Long and VERY skinny
- Similar to Massasauga Rattlesnake but round eyes and darker
Eastern Foxsnake
Grey Ratsnake Scientific Name
Pantherophis spiloides
Grey Ratsnake Status
Endangered/threatened
Grey Ratsnake Description
- Grey/black/ brown (grey when young but darkens with age)
- Could be patterned or splotchy
- Yellow around scales (looks like wiped off paint)
- White line under chin
Pantherophis spiloides
Grey Ratsnake
Snake
- Grey/black/ brown (grey when young but darkens with age)
- Could be patterned or splotchy
- Yellow around scales (looks like wiped off paint)
- White line under chin
Grey Ratsnake
Milksnake Scientific Name
Lampropeltis triangulum
Milksnake Status
Not at risk
Milksnake Description
- White Y shape on head
- White with reddish spots with black outline
Lampropeltis triangulum
Milksnake
Snake
- White Y shape on head
- White with reddish spots with black outline
Milksnake
Smooth Greensnake Scientific Name
Opheodrys vernalis
Smooth Greensnake Status
Not assessed
Smooth Greensnake Description
- Only solid green snake in Ontario
- Smooth scales
- Turns blue when dead
Opheodrys vernalis
Smooth Greensnake
Snake
- Only solid green snake in Ontario
- Smooth scales
- Turns blue when dead
Smooth Greensnake
Massasauga Rattlesnake Scientific Name
Sistrurus catenatus
Massasauga Rattlesnake Status
Endangered/threatened
Massasauga Rattlesnake Description
- Rattle
- Thick boi/ robust
- Similar to Eastern Foxsnake but slanted eyes and white around spots
Sistrurus catenatus
Massasauga Rattlesnake
Snake
- Rattle
- Thick boi/ robust
- Similar to Eastern Foxsnake but slanted eyes and white around spots
Massasauga Rattlesnake
American Bullfrog Call
Apocalypse siren, “jug o rum”
Fowler’s Toad Call
Waaaaaa baby scream
Western Chorus Frog Call
Finger running along a comb
Northern Leopard Frog Call
Woodpecker drumming/oinking, 3 noises
Wood Frog Call
Duck quack, chicken clucking
Spring Peeper Call
Peep
Gray Tree Frog Call
Flutey trill, nice drrrrrrr noise
Mink Frog Call
Car chugging on gravel road
Pickerel Frog Call
Door creaking, roar
Green Frog Call
Annoying brother doing “girlgirlgirlgirl” thing
American Toad Call
Long trill, whistle
Apocalypse siren, “jug o rum”
American Bullfrog Call
Long trill, whistle
American Toad Call
Annoying brother doing “girlgirlgirlgirl” thing
Green Frog Call
Door creaking, roar
Pickerel Frog Call
Car chugging on gravel road
Mink Frog Call
Flutey trill, nice drrrrrrr noise
Gray Tree Frog Call
Peep
Spring Peeper Call
Duck quack, chicken clucking
Wood Frog Call
Woodpecker drumming/oinking, 3 noises
Northern Leopard Frog Call
Finger running along a comb
Western Chorus Frog Call
Waaaaaa baby scream
Fowler’s Toad Call
Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Scientific Name
Sternotherus odoratus
Sternotherus odoratus
Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Status
Special concern
Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Description
- Big head
- Smooth dome shell
- Uppy nose
- Smellyyyy
- Big head
- Smooth dome shell
- Uppy nose
- Smellyyyy
Eastern Musk Turtle (Stinkpot)
Wood Turtle Scientific Name
Glyptemys insculpta
Glyptemys insculpta
Wood Turtle
Wood Turtle Status
Endangered
Wood Turtle Description
- Shell looks wood (tree rings)
- Looks sculpted from wood
- No feet webbing (land turtle)
- Red-orange on legs and neck, black head, brown shell
- Shell looks wood (tree rings)
- Looks sculpted from wood
- No feet webbing (land turtle)
- Red-orange on legs and neck, black head, brown shell
Wood Turtle
Northern Dusky Salamander Scientific Name
Desmognathus fuscus
Dusky Salamander Appearance
Diagonal line from mouth to shoulder, longer hind legs. Northern tail is more circular/ triangular, Allegheny Mountain tail is more oval/ compressed.
