Twelve Months of Northern Ohio Herps in 2022 (Part 1)

My first herp of the year - a backyard Redback Salamander that I found on New Year's Day.

A Common Snapping Turtle poking its head through the ice in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on February 16.

A Red-ear Slider/Midland Painted Turtle combo in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on March 5.

A backyard Green Frog that I found on March 16. Green Frogs are one of the most common and conspicuous amphibians in Ohio.

This larval Northern Two-lined Salamander was found on the same day as the Green Frog.

On March 18 an amphibian migration began in Cuyahoga County, with several species being seen, such as this Four-toed Salamander.

A Wood Frog - their calls sound like a chicken "clucking." As the temperature drops below freezing each Winter, as much as 65% of the water in its body gradually crystallizes into ice.

A number of Spotted Salamanders were seen making their way to breeding pools.

A "harbinger of spring" the tiny but loud Spring Peeper.

Red-spotted Newt. Most adult newts are aquatic and spend a lot of time in the water.

More amphibians were seen crossing the road on a rainy night on March 23, like this American Bullfrog.

The Jefferson Salamander belongs to a group of amphibians known as mole salamanders, named because they spend most of their life underground.

American Toads are considered to be “explosive breeders,” with large numbers arriving at a pool within a very short time. The entire breeding process is over in a week or two.

Though it’s rather large and has a wide distribution, the Spotted Salamander is actually pretty hard to…spot outside of breeding season.

Spotted Salamander - these stout-bodied amphibians spend most of their lives underground.

On March 30 I found my first snake of the year - this "lifer" Northern Ribbon Snake.

Also on that day I saw these two DeKay's Brown Snakes. These reptiles are often mistaken for baby Garter Snakes. They are usually less than a foot long and mainly eat worms and slugs.

And this Eastern Garter Snake. Most of the snakes were coated with dried mud.

Another muddy Eastern Garter Snake seen at the same location as the last one, this one on April 22.

Midland Painted Turtles in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on April 24.

A backyard Redback Salamander on April 25.

An American Toad found at the pond across the street on April 26.