Twelve Months of Northern Ohio Herps in 2023 (Part 5)

A few finds happened on August 17th in Cuyahoga Valley National Park - a Northern Water Snake basking along the towpath trail.

And a Midland Painted Turtle at Beaver Marsh.

An Eastern Garter Snake hanging out in some shrubs.

On September 3rd I found this American Bullfrog in the creek that runs through my backyard.

Although not a herp, this Eastern Toe-biter was a fun find as well.

A duckweed-coated Blanding's Turtle in Lucas County on September 8th.

An Eastern Garter Snake sporting a bit of orange in Erie County on September 20th.

An Erie County Northern Water Snake that I found on September 21st.

I also helped this Midland Painted Turtle across the street on the same day.

An unusual looking Two-lined Salamander that I found across the street from my house on October 11th.

A backyard American Toad, also on October 11th.

Turtles basking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on October 18th.

An American Bullfrog on October 18th.

A melanistic Red-ear Slider basking with Midland Painted Turtles on October 23rd.

A non-native Redbelly Turtle in Cuyahoga Valley National Park also on October 23rd.

I found my first Northern Ribbon Snake of the year on October 24th in Portage County. This species prefers wet meadows and fields, especially near the edges of lakes, ponds, streams, and marshes. They are most often found in open, sunny sites.

And a neat looking Eastern Garter Snake that was on the same trip.

A Green Frog that I found in the wooded lot across the street from my house on October 25th.

I found this tiny Redback Salamander on November 8th.

And I cam across this Two-lined Salamander that I found at the edge of the creek that runs through my backyard on November 8th too.

A Praying Mantis that I helped get across the street on November 10th.

On November 16th I found this larval Red Salamander in Medina County.

This Northern Ribbon Snake was found in Portage County on the same day.

On the same trip as the Northern Ribbon Snake, was the last snake of the year (for me) this Eastern Garter Snake.

On the first day of December I found this Redback Salamander under a rock at the edge of my outdoor turtle pen.

A Red-ear Slider in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on December 8th.

There were a few Midland Painted Turtles out basking that day as well, here's one of them.

A Christmas Eve Redback Salamander that I found in my backyard.

And a Christmas Day Two-lined Salamander that I found along a creek near my house.

On December 26th I went on a hike and saw a few Midland Painted Turtles in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

My final herp find of 2023 was this young American Bullfrog, also seen on December 26th.
It was a great year for finding cool creatures in Ohio!