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Reptiles and Amphibians

Eastern Milksnake
(Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum)
As an adult this species will constrict and consume a wide variety of prey items including shrews, mice, small birds, frogs, fish etc. I have found that young specimens seem to have a preference for snakes. When agitated this species is likely to strike repeatedly and may also rattle its tail. Milksnakes lay eggs and are often found alongside human habitations where they prey upon rodents.

Spotted Salamander
(Ambystoma maculatum)
This beautiful species of salamander can often be found breeding in ponds during early spring. The female lays large egg masses which she attaches to submerged vegetation. The eggs hatch after about four weeks and the young leave the pond around midsummer. Spotted Salamanders belong to the family Ambystomatidae and is part of a group of salamanders otherwise known as "mole salamanders". The term refers to their secretive habits as they spend most their adult lives underground. This species may live for more then 20 years.

Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus)
This species of boa is found in East Africa and spends the majority of its time burried in the substrate. They will attack passing prey items by lunging out of the sand and taking them by surprise.

Northern Red-Bellied Snake
(Storeria occipitomaculata)
This species preys almost exclusively on slugs which they find by actively searching for them by following the scent left by the moving slug. When agitated this species will excrete a foul smelling musk and may also roll onto its back exposing its bright red belly. They are active during the day in spring and fall but during the warmer summer months they are almost exclusively nocturnal. The Northern Red-Bellied snake gives birth to up to 23 live young but with 8 being the average.

Common Musk Turtle
(Sternotherus odoratus)
The common musk turtle is one of the smallest species of turtle in North America averaging around 4 inches when fully grown. Newly hatched common musk turtles are about as wide as a penny. Musk turtles are so called because they are able to excrete a foul smelling fluid from glands on either side of their body (on the ventral surface). Common musk turtles can be incredibly common in the United States but become increasingly harder to find as you go farther North. The elongate eggs are heavily calcified unlike the eggs of most other Ontario turtle species which are somewhat leathery. Musk turtles are not excellent swimmers and instead prefer to walk along the bottom of ponds, lakes and other calm bodies of water. They are not conspicuous baskers like painted turtles and as such are rarely seen. It is interesting to note however that when basking they may climb 2 meters or more to reach the warming rays of the sun.

Wood Frog
(Rana sylvatica)

Wood Frog Eggs
Click the button to watch a video of wood frog habitat and hear them calling

Northern Water Snake
(Nerodia sipedon)
During the warmer summer months this species can often be found basking during the day near bodies of water. I have found that large adult females average around 3-4 feet with males being somewhat smaller. This species bears live young which can number from 6 to 100 with the average being around 27. I have found that this species will often return to the same basking site day after day. Water snakes forage along the shores of bodies of water as well as underwater and can remain submerged for over 65 minutes. They feed primarily on fish but have also been found to consume frogs, salamanders, other snakes, small mammals and some invertebrates. When frightened this species will often try to enter the water and either swim away or dive down to hide underwater.

Five-Lined Skink
(Eumeces fasciatus)

American Bullfrog
(Rana catesbieana)

Grey Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)

Blandings Turtle
(Emydoidea blandingi)

Blue Spotted Salamander Hybrid
(Ambystoma sp. complex)

American Toad
(Bufo americanus)

Western Chorus Frog
(Pseudacris triseriata triseriata)

Click on the button to watch a video of chorus frog habitat and hear them calling.