Squamates of Vermont Flashcards
1
Q
What is the name of the only lizard in vermont?
A
common five-linked skin
2
Q
What is the order of the common five-lined skink?
A
Squamata
3
Q
What is the family of the common five-lined skink?
A
Scincidae
4
Q
What is the scientific name of the common five-lined skink?
A
Plestiodon fasciatus
5
Q
What is common five-lined skink oviparous or viviparous?
A
Oviparous: Females lay clutches of ~10 eggs between May and July
6
Q
What is the parental care of the common five-lined skink?
A
Parental care: females guard nests until they hatch (about 60 days)
7
Q
What is the nest placement of the common five-lined skink?
A
Nest placement: Nests usually placed in logs or abandoned burrows of other animals
8
Q
What is the habitat of the common five-lined skink?
A
Habitat
- South-facing rocky outcroppings, ledges, and cliffs
- Open woods and old buildings
- Often near water
9
Q
What is the conservation status of the common five-lined skink?
A
Vermont rank S1 (rare) * Please report all sightings
10
Q
What does the distribution of the common five lined skink look like?
A
11
Q
What are the striped snakes?
A
common garter snake and eastern ribbonsnake
12
Q
What is the family of the common garter snake?
A
Colubridae
13
Q
What is the scientific name of the common garter snake?
A
Thamnophis sirtalis
14
Q
Is the common garter snake viviparous or oviparous?
A
Viviparous: Females give birth to 10-20 hatchlings in late summer/early fall
15
Q
What is the mating like for the common garter snake?
A
Mating: Communal mating at emergence from brumation (“mating ball”)
16
Q
What is the parental care of the common garter snake?
A
none
17
Q
Is the common garter snake venomous?
A
Venomous: small amounts of venom that impact their prey, but not humans!
18
Q
What is the habitat of the common garter snake?
A
Somewhat generalist, but likes:
- Shallow, permanent water
- Lots of cover (rocks, wood)
- Sun for basking
19
Q
What is the conservation status of the common garter snake?
A
Vermont rank S5 (common)
- But – look twice – could it actually be a ribbonsnake you are seeing?
20
Q
What is the distribution of the common garter snake?
A
21
Q
What are the ID marks of the common garter snake?
A
The Common Gartersnake has three length-wise yellowish stripes, one on the center of the back and one on each side. The side stripes are low on the sides (scale rows 2 and 3). Portions of the stripes can be missing.
The background color can be green, black, brown, or anywhere in between. A checkerboard pattern may be visible on the sides between the stripes. The head is dark olive green with a yellow upper lip.
The tail is about 1/5 of the total length. They are usually 2-3 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 41 inches), with keeled scales.
22
Q
What is the family of the eastern ribbon snake?
A
Colubridae
23
Q
What is the scientific name of the eastern ribbonsnake?
A
Thamnophis saurita
24
Q
How do eastern ribbon snakes mate?
A
Mating: soon after emergence in spring
25
Are eastern ribbon snakes viviparous or oviparous?
Viviparous: Females give birth to 5-20 hatchlings in late summer/early fall
26
Do eastern ribbon snakes give parental care?
no
27
What preys upon eastern ribbon snakes?
wading birds
28
What is the habitat of eastern ribbon snakes?
Pastures, open fields, open woods, but always (always!) near water! Semi-aquatic.
29
What is the conservation status of eastern ribbon snakes?
Vermont rank S2 (uncommon)
Please report all sightings
30
What is the distribution of the eastern ribbon snake?
31
What are the ID marks of the eastern ribbon snake?
The very rare Eastern Ribbonsnake looks very similar to the much more widespread Common Gartersnake. They both have three yellow, length-wise stripes on a dark background. In Vermont, all snakes with yellow stripes should be assumed to be Common Gartersnakes unless the head markings suggest otherwise. Eastern Ribbonsnakes have a bright white upper lip. The tops of their heads are reddish-brown , and they have a thin black line behind their eyes. In addition, there is a vertical white bar in front of the eye on Eastern Ribbonsnake. The shiny white upper lip of an Eastern Ribbonsnake can be seen from quite a distance. Usually the sides will appear solid black. The stripes are well-defined and higher (scale rows 3 & 4) on the sides than in the Common Gartersnake (scale rows 2 and 3). Also look for the mahogany stripe along the lower sides and edges of the belly. The ribbonsnake is more slender than the gartersnake. The scales of both species are keeled.
The tail (find the vent) is between ¼ and ⅓ the total length of the body and very tapered. Eastern Ribbonsnakes may reach 2-3 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 35 inches).
32
What are the key differences between the common garter snake and the eastern ribbon snake?
Eastern Ribbonsnake head markings: bright white upper lip, reddish-brown on top of head, straight black line behind eye, vertical white bar in front of eye (a very rare snake in Vermont).
Common Gartersnake head markings: yellowish upper lip, olive green on top of head, no black line behind eye, no vertical white bar in front of the eye, yellowish “ear” spots (a very common snake in Vermont).
33
What are the small, slender snakes?
ring-necked snake
DeKay's brownsnake
red-bellied snake
smooth greensnake
34
What is the family of the ring-necked snake?
Colubridae
35
What is the scientific name of the ring-necked snake?
Diadophis punctatus
36
What is the activity of the ring-necked snake?
Activity: Possibly nocturnal, at least crepuscular. Often found under cover during the day.
37
Are ring-necked snakes oviparous or viviparous?
Oviparous: Females lay 1-10 eggs in summer
38
What is the defense of the ring-necked snake?
Defense: Unkenreflex-like posturing to show bright belly and ultra pungent musk!
39
Are ring-necked snakes social?
Social: sometimes found in groups, sometimes nest communally
40
What is the habitat of the ring-necked snake?
Habitat
* Warm, exposed areas
* Lots of natural cover
* Sometimes near water
* VT’s northernmost egglaying snake
41
What is the conservation status of the ring-necked snake?
Vermont rank S4 (locally common)
Please report all sightings
42
What is the distribution of ring-necked snakes?
43
What are the field marks of the ring-necked snake?
The Ring-necked Snake has a slender body with a blue-gray back and sides. It has a yellow (or orange) underside and a yellow (or orange) ring around its neck. The ring is usually outlined in black. Ring-necked Snakes are between 1-2 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 17 inches). Ring-necked Snakes have smooth scales and lay eggs.
44
What is the family of the DeKay's brownsnake?
Colubridae
45
What is the scientific name of the DeKay's brownsnake?
Storeria dekayi
46
What is the activity of the DeKay's brownsnake?
: Possibly nocturnal, at least crepuscular. Often found under cover during the day.
47
Is the Dekay's brownsnake oviparous or viviparous?
Viviparous: Females give birth to 7-12 hatchlings in late summer
48
Is the DeKay's brownsnake cryptic?
Cryptic: spend much of their life underground and feed on inverts like slugs and worms
49
What is the habitat of the DeKay's brown snake?
* Overgrown, wet meadows
* Rocky woods
* Typically lower elevations
50
What is the conservation status of the DeKay's brownsnake?
Vermont rank S4 (locally common)
51
What is the distribution of the DeKay's brownsnake?
52
What do you have to be careful with when identifying baby DeKay brownsnakes?
babies have ringed necks
53
What are the ID marks of the DeKay's brownsnake?
Dekay’s Brownsnakes are always brown or grayish-brown. They have a wide light brown stripe down the center of the back. On each side of the stripe, there are black spots that are sometimes in the form of a checkerboard pattern. Their underside is white or tan. They have a black spot on the top of the head, black sideburns, a black spot under the eye, and black parentheses on each side of the neck. They are usually about 1 foot long (the longest documented in Vermont is 17 inches) with keeled scales. When very small, they have a white ring around their neck that extends forward and under the eyes. Even when very young, they have the same pattern of black spots on the head and neck.
54
What is the family of the red-bellied snake?
Colubridae
55
What is the scientific name of the red-bellied snake?
Storeria occipitomaculata
56
What is the activity of the red-bellied snake like?
Activity: Possibly nocturnal, at least crepuscular. Often found under cover during the day.
57
Is the red-bellied snake viviparous or oviparous?
Viviparous: Females give birth to 5-10 hatchlings in late summer
58
What is special about the red-bellied snake?
Small but mighty: Vermont’s smallest snake – maxing out at about 12 inches. Young can be mistaken for worms!
59
What is the habitat of the red-bellied snake?
Woodlands with sunny openings and abundant cover
Found across elevations
60
What is the conservation of the red-bellied snake?
Conservation
* Vermont rank S5 (common)
61
What is the distribution of the red-bellied snake?
62
What are the ID marks of the red-bellied snakes?
Red-bellied Snakes in Vermont are most often brown, but they are sometimes black, or gray. They usually have two thin dark stripes along either side of their backs. The three off-white spots on their necks are small but very helpful for identification. They have one on the back of the neck and one on each side of the neck and they vary from bright white to tan. Sometimes the spots can be joined into a ring, especially when the snakes are young. The underside is almost always bright red in color and often outlined in black. They are Vermont’s smallest snake and only grow up to about 1 foot in length (the longest documented in Vermont is 13 inches). Red-bellied Snakes have keeled scales and give live birth. The newborn young are so small that they are often mistaken for worms.
63
What is the family of the smooth greensnake?
Colubridae
64
What is the scientific name of the smooth greensnake?
Opheodrys vernalis
65
Is the smooth greensnake oviparous or viviparous?
Oviparous: Females lay a clutch of 10-20 eggs in summer
66
What is the sex determination of the smooth greensnake?
TSD: Temperature-dependent sex determination, with warmer temps generating genetically female offspring
67
What happens after the smooth greensnake dies?
Starts to turn blue after death
68
What is the habitat of the smooth greensnake?
Beaver meadows, fields, pastures, etc.
Found across elevations
69
What is the conservation status of the smooth greensnake?
Conservation
Vermont rank S3 (uncommon)
Please report all sightings
70
What is the distribution of the smooth greensnake?
71
What are the ID marks of the smooth greensnake?
True to its name, the Smooth Greensnake has smooth scales and is solid bright green with a white or off-white belly. Very young greensnakes (neonates) are a very dark green. Smooth Greensnakes can grow to be 2 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 19 inches).
72
What are the blotched/banded snakes?
eastern milksnake
common watersnake
73
What is the family of the eastern milksnake?
Colubridae
74
What is the scientific name of the eastern milksnake?
Lampropeltis triangulum
75
Is the eastern milksnake oviparous or viviparous?
Oviparous: Females lay a clutch of 15-30 eggs in late summer
76
How does the eastern milksnake brumate?
Brumation: Communal, sometimes with other species
77
What can happen with the eastern milksnake that leads to wrong identification?
Rattles tail, will coil and strike (often misID’d as rattlesnakes)
78
What is the habitat of the eastern milksnake?
* Old fields, stone walls, buildings, ledges
* More common at lower elevations
79
What is the conservation status of the eastern milksnake?
Vermont rank S5 (common)
80
What is the distribution of the eastern milksnake?
81
What are the ID marks of the eastern milksnake?
The Eastern Milksnake has reddish-brown blotches outlined in black. They become darker with age. They also have a white “Y” (which may be complete or broken) on the back of their head. The milksnake’s underside has a white and black checkerboard pattern. Milksnakes can grow to 2-3 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 43 inches) and have smooth scales. When they feel threatened, milksnakes will vibrate their tails. As a result they are frequently misidentified as rattlesnakes.
82
What is the family of the common watersnake?
Colubridae
83
What is the scientific name of the common watersnake?
Nerodia sipedon
84
Is the common watersnake oviparous or viviparous?
Viviparous: Females give birth to 15-30 hatchlings in late summer
85
Is the common watersnake social?
Social: Especially during cooler (fall/spring) months, and then more solitary
86
What is special about the common watersnake?
Excellent swimmers and can stay under water for an hour or more
Confused for cottonmouths in other parts of its range
87
What is the habitat of the common watersnake?
Habitat
* Aquatic – lowland wetlands with vegetation and rocks
* Marshes with rocky shores
88
What is the conservation of the common watersnake?
Conservation
* Vermont rank S3 (uncommon)
* Please report all sightings
89
What is the distribution of the common watersnake?
90
What are the field ID marks of the common watersnake?
When young, the Common Watersnake has reddish-brown blotches on a cream background. They darken with age to almost solid black or brown with dark brown blotches. They have dark vertical stripes on their lips. Their underside is glossy smooth and beautifully marked with red crescents on a white or yellow background. Watersnakes are thick-bodied snakes with heavily keeled scales. Adults are usually 3-4 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 52 inches). If caught and handled this snake is likely to defend itself but they are not aggressive if left alone. They are curious though, and this behavior is often misunderstood and unnecessarily feared.
91
What are the large, black snakes?
Eastern ratsnake
North American Racer
92
What is the family of the Eastern Ratsnake?
Colubridae
93
What is the scientific name of the eastern ratsnake?
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
94
Is the eastern ratsnake oviparous or viviparous?
Oviparous: Females lay clutches of 5-40 eggs in late summer
95
How does the eastern ratsnake brumate?
Brumation: Communal denning, sometimes across species
96
What is special about the eastern ratsnake?
Avid climbers!
97
What is the habitat of the eastern ratsnake?
Habitat
* In and around old buildings, barns, and old fields
* Forest edges.
* Ideally near rocky areas and ledges.
98
What is the conservation of the eastern ratsnake?
Conservation
* Vermont rank S2 (rare)
* Please report all sightings
99
What is the distribution of the eastern ratsnake?
100
What are the ID marks of the eastern ratsnake?
The adult Central Ratsnake is black, but usually shows remnants of its juvenile blotched pattern and some flecks of white between the scales. The underside is white under the chin and throat. This changes to a black and white checkerboard pattern as you move toward the tail and then finally turns to a solid dark color under the tail. The ratsnake has weakly keeled scales. Adults may be 5-6 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 75 inches).
Young Central Ratsnakes under 20 inches long have a pattern similar to Eastern Milksnakes, but they do not have the white “Y” on the back of the head that milksnakes have. In addition, the blotches on the young Central Ratsnakes have slightly extended corners so that they are more “H” shaped, rather than round. By the time ratsnakes reach three feet in length they are mostly black. Adult North American Racers (also black as adults) are solid black with a solid white or gray belly.
101
What is the family of the north american racer?
Colubridae
102
What is the scientific name of the north american racer?
Coluber constrictor
103
Is the north american racer viviparous or oviparous?
Oviparous: Females lay clutches of 1-30 eggs in late summer
104
What is wrong with the name of the north american racer?
What’s in a name? They are actually not constrictors but are very fast.
105
What is the habitat of the north american racer?
Habitat
* Open pastures
* Power line trails
* Meadows
* Near rocky ridges
106
What is the conservation status of the north american racer?
Conservation
* Vermont rank S1 (rare)
* Please report all sightings
107
What is the distribution of the north american racer?
108
What are the ID marks of the north american racer?
The North American Racer is a long slender snake that has a black body with a satin sheen and smooth scales. The underside is a solid white or gray. Sometimes they show an iridescent blue on either side of the belly. They have a tan nose, white under their chin, and a strong eyebrow ridge. As adults they are 4-6 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 70 inches). The racer is very fast and quite nervous. It usually bites if captured.
When they are young, racers look similar to Eastern Milksnakes, but they do not have the white “Y” on the back of the head that the milksnakes have. The Central Ratsnake has a patterned, not solid, underside.
109
What is the snake that is thick with rattle?
timber rattlesnake
110
What is the family of the timber rattlesnake?
Viperidae
111
What is the distribution of the timber rattlesnake in the US?
Broad eastern distribution in US
* Northeastern US is northern edge
* Highly restrictive current range in VT
112
What is the distribution of the timber rattlesnake in Vermont?
113
What is the scientific name of the timber rattlesnake?
Crotalus horridus
114
What are the field ID marks of the timber rattlesnake?
The Timber Rattlesnake has black W-shaped cross bands on a tan, yellow, or dark brown background. They have a black tail and the rattle on the end of the tail is a yellowish-tan color. Timber Rattlesnakes may have a yellow head, in which case they generally have a brightly patterned body, or they may have a black head, in which case they have a darker patterned body.
The rattlesnake is a thick snake usually 2-4 feet in length (the longest documented in Vermont is 54 inches), with heavily keeled scales.
This is Vermont’s only venomous snake. It is not at all aggressive but it should not be handled.
115
