Twelve Months of Northern Ohio Herps in 2019

The first herp of the year - a Redback Salamander on an unseasonably warm January 7th.

This Midland Painted Turtle was seen on the following day, but then it got cold again and no more herps were seen until the following month.

The temperature warmed up a bit for a short time in early February and this American Bullfrog was seen in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on February 7th.

That night it rained and although an amphibian migration didn't take place, this Spring Peeper was seen crossing the road.

On March 14th this Midland Painted Turtle was seen basking In Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Springtime brought out the first Spotted Salamanders, such as this one seen on March 21st.

I found my first snake of the year on March 28th - an Eastern Garter Snake.

Wood Frogs could be seen and heard calling in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on March 28th.

I saw my first Common Snapping Turtle of the year on April 23rd.

A handsome American Bullfrog seen on the same day as the Common Snapping Turtle.

April 23rd was a good day for herping, because I also found this DeKay's Brown Snake...

...and saw these basking Midland Painted Turtles.

Male Northern Water Snakes were out too, presumably looking for females.

An American Toad that I came across in May.

On May 8th I found a couple of Eastern Garter Snakes going through their shed cycles.

A herp harbinger of Spring - the Spring Peeper.

An Eastern Milk Snake that I found in early May.

I came across a few examples of my favorite frog - Gray Treefrog.

A juvenile Northern Water Snake.

A hefty Spring Peeper.

On May 18th I found this DeKay's Brown Snake.

A female American Bullfrog in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

A slider with peeling scutes.