Twelve Months of Northern Ohio Herps in 2020

It all started on January 11th, when I went looking for streamside salamanders and found two species, the first being a Northern Two-lined.

Temperatures were in the mid-50s and I also managed to find this Redback Salamander.

On January 14th, this Midland Painted Turtle was out basking.

Here's what Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a place I frequently herp, looked like on February 4th.

A Midland Painted Turtle on February 4th.

I saw my first American Bullfrog of the year on March 10th.

I also observed my first wild Common Snapping Turtle of the year on March 10th.

Red-ear Sliders and Midland Painted Turtles were out on that day too.

A whole lotta turtles out on March 12th in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

A large non-native Cooter (Pseudemys sp.).

Red-ear Slider.

On March 13th I observed this amphibian "breeding ball." Several male Wood Frogs were mistakenly grasping a Spotted Salamander, attempting to mate with it.

I freed the salamander from the mob of Wood Frogs.

A Smallmouth Salamander that I also found on March 13th.

It was a great day for amphibians - another Spotted Salamander.

A Wood Frog that appeared to be heavy with eggs.

Wood Frogs in amplexus, crossing the road.

Mid-march was a good time to encounter Spotted Salamanders, like these three which were all under the same log on the 18th.

A Spotted Salamander in it's natural habitat.

The first day of Spring (March 20th) allowed for more species of reptiles and amphibians to br found - like this American Toad.

I also found my first snake of the year - an Eastern Garter Snake.

This Gray Treefrog was seen crossing the road in the rain that night.

This tiny Red Eft was out and about that night too.

As was appropriate, this Spring Peeper was out on the first day of Spring.

Two spotted frogs were observed on the 20th as well - Northern Leopard Frog.

Pickerel Frog.