Amphibian and Reptile Photos | Howard County Bird Club

Amphibian and Reptile (Herp) Photo Gallery

Amphibians and reptiles are collectively known as “herpetofauna” or “herps.” Although statewide surveys were conducted by a handful of individuals in the 1960s and 1970s, no consistent surveys were made until more recently. In 2010, the Natural History Society of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources initiated the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA). The Howard County Coordinator, Sue Muller, directed dozens of volunteers in the effort to verify local herps. An overwhelming majority of the images shown were a result of the MARA effort.

There are seven major groups, but there are no photos for the seventh—Exotics. Click on the individual species name for a link to the photos for that species. An asterisk following the species name indicates no photos.

Turtles

Eastern Musk Turtle Stemotherus odoratus	3–5.4″
Still or slow-moving mud-bottomed streams, rivers, ponds, lakes. Highly aquatic; patrols bottom.

June 16, 2007
Sewell's Orchard
Sue Muller — June 16, 2007 Sewell's Orchard Sue Muller

July 18, 2018
A.E. Mullinix Road/Daisy Road<
Wesley Earp — July 18, 2018 A.E. Mullinix Road/Daisy Road< Wesley Earp

August 2, 2014
Lake Elkhorn
Jim Wilkinson — August 2, 2014 Lake Elkhorn Jim Wilkinson

Eastern Mud Turtle Kinostemon subrubrum subrubrum	3–4.1
Shallow, soft-bottomed slow-moving to still waterways w/ abundant vegetation; ditches, wet meadows Basks little; quite terrestrial (more so than E. Musk); frequently crosses roads; most often seen after rains in humid sites, esp. mornings & evenings. CoastalPlain species that has moved into e. Piedmont Omnivorous

April 23, 2016
Savage - NE
Debora Milburn — April 23, 2016 Savage - NE Debora Milburn

Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina	4–8.5″
Moist forests, wet meadows, pastures, floodplains. Essentially terrestrial. Often seen early in day after rains. Omnivorous.

July 18, 2010
Savage - SW
Richard Orr — July 18, 2010 Savage - SW Richard Orr

May 3, 2010
Mount Pleasant
Jeff Culler — May 3, 2010 Mount Pleasant Jeff Culler

April 5, 2011
Pigtail
Richard Orr — April 5, 2011 Pigtail Richard Orr

May 1, 2009
Wincopin Trail
Jo Solem — May 1, 2009 Wincopin Trail Jo Solem

Female
August 21, 2010<
Woodbine - CE
Wes Earp — Female August 21, 2010< Woodbine - CE Wes Earp

Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata	3.5–5″
Shallow wetlands, marshy meadows, beaver ponds, wet pastures, small woodland streams. Needs soft substrate w/ some aquatic vegetation. Basks early. Spends considerable time on land. Chiefly diurnal, few active in rainy weather. Omnivorous scavenger.

April 19, 2014
Sykesville - SW
Bonnie Ott — April 19, 2014 Sykesville - SW Bonnie Ott

April 27, 2013
Woodbine - NE
Mark Wallace — April 27, 2013 Woodbine - NE Mark Wallace

False Map Turtle Graptemys psudogeographica	5.8–10.8″
Rivers, swamps, lakes. Basks frequently. Introduced.

June 28, 2010
Lake Elkhorn
Kathy Colston — June 28, 2010 Lake Elkhorn Kathy Colston

September, 2010
Lake Elkhorn
Sue Muller
(Hatched from eggs collected!) — September, 2010 Lake Elkhorn Sue Muller (Hatched from eggs collected!)

Eastern Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta picta	4–9.8″
Hard sand or gravel-bottomed cool streams in deciduous woods, red maple swamps, marshy meadows. Although usually near water, highly terrestrial, esp. summer Primarily diurnal. Fall Line west. Omnivorous.

March 31, 2010<
Lake Elkhorn
Bob Solem — March 31, 2010< Lake Elkhorn Bob Solem

April 24, 2012
Centennial Park
Bonnie Ott — April 24, 2012 Centennial Park Bonnie Ott

July 4, 2009
Brown Bridge
Jo Solem
Laying eggs — July 4, 2009 Brown Bridge Jo Solem Laying eggs

Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta	5–11.4″
Quiet waters w/ muddy bottoms & profusion of vegetation; frequently travels overland between aquatic habitats. Basks (sometimes stacked) for significant part of day on logs projecting above water or on vegetation, seldom seen on banks. Primarily diurnal. Omnivorous (young—carnivorous)

June 4, 2008
Warfield Pond Park
Sue Earp — June 4, 2008 Warfield Pond Park Sue Earp

April 5, 2010
Lake Elkhorn
Richard Orr — April 5, 2010 Lake Elkhorn Richard Orr

July 22, 2012
Centennial Park
Annette Allor — July 22, 2012 Centennial Park Annette Allor

July 28, 2012
Centennial Park
Sue Muller — July 28, 2012 Centennial Park Sue Muller

Eastern Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina	8–18.5″
Almost any body of freshwater; likes soft mud or sandy bottoms & abundant vegetation or submerged brush & tree trunks. Highly aquatic, but makes long overland treks. Rarely basks. Some activity at all hours. Omnivorous.

May 27, 2019
Meadowbrook Park
Howard Patterson — May 27, 2019 Meadowbrook Park Howard Patterson

June 3, 2010
Daniels Road (PVSP)
Bob Solem — June 3, 2010 Daniels Road (PVSP) Bob Solem

April 1, 2010
Clarksville - NW
Jeff Culler — April 1, 2010 Clarksville - NW Jeff Culler

May 11, 2014
Alpha Ridge Park
Nancy Magnusson — May 11, 2014 Alpha Ridge Park Nancy Magnusson

Centennial Park April 3, 2019 John Harris Video

Northern Red-bellied Cooter Pseudemys rubiventris	10–15.8″
Relatively deep water bodies, moderate gradient rivers, floodplain marshes, oxbows w/ soft bottoms & many basking sites as well as aquatic plants. Much basking; wary. Mostly diurnal. Coastal Plain w/ movement into eastern Piedmont. Mostly herbivorous (young—omnivorous).

April 9, 2012
Scott's Cove
Wes Earp — April 9, 2012 Scott's Cove Wes Earp

April 18, 2008
Race Road (PVSP)
Emy Holdridge — April 18, 2008 Race Road (PVSP) Emy Holdridge

August 20, 2011
Woodbine - SE
Sue Muller — August 20, 2011 Woodbine - SE Sue Muller

March 1, 2012
Woodbine - SE
Annette Allor — March 1, 2012 Woodbine - SE Annette Allor

Lizards

Eastern Fence Lizard Sceloporus undulates	3.5–7.5″
Open woodlands, rock outcrops & boulders, rotting logs & stumps, rail fences, pine woods, dry sunny locations. Strongly arboreal; found on walls as well as in trees. Diurnal. Chiefly insectivorous.

August 15, 2013
Columbia
Marilyn Dorfman — August 15, 2013 Columbia Marilyn Dorfman

Common Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus	5–8.1″
Cutover woodlots (especially pine) w/ rotting stumps & logs, humid woods w/ thick leaf litter, rock piles, boulders, sawdust piles, habitat usually damp, frequently near streams. Terrestrial; occasionally climbs a short distance up trees or stumps to bask. Diurnal. Mostly insectivorous.

May 11, 2012
Clarksville
Harry Fink — May 11, 2012 Clarksville Harry Fink

February 13, 2023
Race Road
Bonnie Ott — February 13, 2023 Race Road Bonnie Ott

April 23, 2013
Clarksville
Harry Fink — April 23, 2013 Clarksville Harry Fink

Snakes

Northern Watersnake Nerodia sipedon sipedon	22–53″
Most aquatic situations—quiet waters preferred: lakes, ponds, marshes, ditches, rivers; forages in shoreline vegetation. Basks frequently on rocks or stumps. Active day & night.

March 19, 2012
Woodbine - SE
Sue Muller — March 19, 2012 Woodbine - SE Sue Muller

April 14, 2011
Savage - NE
Jo Solem — April 14, 2011 Savage - NE Jo Solem

April 10, 2011
Schooley Mill Park
Bonnie Ott — April 10, 2011 Schooley Mill Park Bonnie Ott

April 11, 2014
MPEA
Richard Orr
[Young] — April 11, 2014 MPEA Richard Orr [Young]

Queen Snake Regina septemvittata	16–36.8″
Streams and small rivers w/ rocky margins & bottoms; clear sandy-bottomed creeks; sphagnum bogs. Highly aquatic, excellent swimmer; not a frequent basker; found either swimming or under rocks, vegetation, or debris at water’s edge. Active day & night. Chiefly Piedmont west. Feeds almost entirely on soft-bodied crayfish.

April 8, 2013
Meadowbrook Park
Bonnie Ott — April 8, 2013 Meadowbrook Park Bonnie Ott

October 9, 2011
HC Fairgrounds
Richard Orr — October 9, 2011 HC Fairgrounds Richard Orr

October 9, 2011
Howard County Fair Grounds
Richard Orr — October 9, 2011 Howard County Fair Grounds Richard Orr

Eastern Smooth Earthsnake Virginia valeriae valeriae	7–13.8″
Damp deciduous forest; moist rocky wooded hillsides; seldom seen above ground except after heavy rains. Coastal Plain & eastern Piedmont. Earthworms and soft-bodied insects.

March 18, 2011
Triadelphia
Wes Earp — March 18, 2011 Triadelphia Wes Earp

April 5, 2011
Laurel - NW
Jay Sheppard — April 5, 2011 Laurel - NW Jay Sheppard

October 12, 2011
Sykesville (Howard County)
Felicia Lovelett — October 12, 2011 Sykesville (Howard County) Felicia Lovelett

Northern Brownsnake Storeria dekayi dekayi	10–20.8″
Moist upland woods to lowland marshes & margins of swamps & ponds, vacant lots, gardens beneath flat rocks, logs, trash; usually near water or damp places. Diurnal, but nocturnal in warm weather. Earthworms, slugs, & snails.

August 1, 2010
Rockburn Branch Park
Richard Orr — August 1, 2010 Rockburn Branch Park Richard Orr

June 6, 2012<
Meadowbrook Park
Bonnie Ott — June 6, 2012< Meadowbrook Park Bonnie Ott

November 1, 2011
Dorsey Search
Annette Allor — November 1, 2011 Dorsey Search Annette Allor

Eastern Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis	18–51.6″
Near water; wet meadows, marshes, woodlands, moist hillsides, streamsides, parks, drainage ditches. Able to tolerate cold weather. Diurnal. Frogs, toads, salamanders, earthworms.

May 26,2021 Henryton Road (PVSP) Annette Allor

April 2, 2012
Penn Shop Road & Bennington Road
Wes Earp — April 2, 2012 Penn Shop Road & Bennington Road Wes Earp

April 25, 2012
Clarksville - NW
Harry Fink — April 25, 2012 Clarksville - NW Harry Fink

November 14, 2010
Schooley Mill Park>
Jo Solem — November 14, 2010 Schooley Mill Park> Jo Solem

Northern Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus edwardii	10–30″
Moist situations in forest, grassland, rocky wooded hillsides, cutover areas w/ debris; under rocks, logs, loose bark of dead trees. Secretive. Earthworms, slugs, small salamanders, snakes; partially constricts prey.

April 26, 2016
Rockburn Branch Park
Jim Wilkinson — April 26, 2016 Rockburn Branch Park Jim Wilkinson

June 13, 2011
Browns Bridge Road
Wes Earp — June 13, 2011 Browns Bridge Road Wes Earp

July 25, 2012
Ellicott City - SE
Annette Allor — July 25, 2012 Ellicott City - SE Annette Allor

June 13, 2011
Browns Bridge
Bob Solem — June 13, 2011 Browns Bridge Bob Solem

March 25, 2012
Marriottsville Road (PVSP)
Bonnie Ott — March 25, 2012 Marriottsville Road (PVSP) Bonnie Ott

Eastern Wormsnake Carphophis amoenus amoenus	8–14.2″
Damp hilly woods, partly wooded grassy hills above streams; under rocks, logs, stumps, loose soil. Secretive; most likely to be seen in spring when habitat still moist; goes underground in dry weather. Earthworms.

April 5, 2011
Triadelphia Reservoir>
Richard Orr — April 5, 2011 Triadelphia Reservoir> Richard Orr

June 6, 2011
Browns Bridge
Bob Solem — June 6, 2011 Browns Bridge Bob Solem

Northern Rough Greensnake Opheodrys aestivus aestivus	20–45.6″
Vines, bushes & trees near & overhanging water; swims well—may take to water when disturbed; almost invisible in dense vegetation. Arboreal. Diurnal. Grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, spiders.

July 15, 2912
Waterloo Park
Sara Smith — July 15, 2912 Waterloo Park Sara Smith

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon platirhinos	20–45.5
Open, sandy areas; thinly wooded uplands, cultivated fields, woodland meadows. Diurnal. Toads primarily; will also eat frogs.

May 2, 2011
Daniels Road
Jeff Culler — May 2, 2011 Daniels Road Jeff Culler

September 28, 2009
Big Branch
Bob Solem — September 28, 2009 Big Branch Bob Solem

September 15, 2013
Browns Bridge Road
Jo Solem — September 15, 2013 Browns Bridge Road Jo Solem

Northern Black Racer Coluber constrictor constrictor	34–71″
Abandoned fields, grasslands, open woodlands, rocky wooded hillsides, grass-bordered streams; often streaks across roads. Mostly terrestrial (when pursued may retreat upward into low bushes or low tree branches). Dirunal. Large insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, small rodents, birds; despite Latin name is not a constrictor. When hunting holds head high moving swiftly through cover.

April 27, 2010
Mount Pleasant
Richard Orr — April 27, 2010 Mount Pleasant Richard Orr

July 24, 2011
Wincopin Trail
Annette Allor — July 24, 2011 Wincopin Trail Annette Allor

August 26, 2013
Mount Pleasant
Jeff Culler — August 26, 2013 Mount Pleasant Jeff Culler

Eastern Ratsnake Panterophis alleganiensis	34–101″
Hardwood forests, swamps, oldfields; from wet to arid situations. Terrestrial/arboreal: skilled climber; goes up trees & buildings. Diurnal spring & fall; nocturnal in summer. Birds, eggs, mice & small mammals, lizards.

September 5, 2013
MPEA
Bonnie Ott — September 5, 2013 MPEA Bonnie Ott

April 20, 2015
Rockburn Branch Park
Linda Hunt — April 20, 2015 Rockburn Branch Park Linda Hunt

September 22, 2012
Ellicott City
Mike McClure — September 22, 2012 Ellicott City Mike McClure

November 8, 2009
Mount Pleasant
Richard Orr — November 8, 2009 Mount Pleasant Richard Orr

Eastern Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula getula	36–82″
Dry, rocky wooded hillsides to river banks & pine woods. Hides under boards, logs, & debris; basks occasionally in open spring & fall. Primarily terrestrial; swims readily. Diurnal (early a.m.) & dusk; nocturnal in summer. Snakes, lizards, mice, birds, & eggs; a strong constrictor.

April 5, 2012
Rockburn Branch Park
Kathy Litzinger — April 5, 2012 Rockburn Branch Park Kathy Litzinger

Eastern Milksnake Lampropetis triangulum triangulum	14–78.2″
Pine forest, open deciduous woods, rocky hillsides, farmland, damp bottomland, suburbs, farm buildings entered in rodent search. Hides under logs, rotting stumps, boards, stones, etc. Usually not seen in open except at night. Small rodents, birds, lizards, & snakes.

May 15, 2012
Sykesville- NE
Billy Heinbuch — May 15, 2012 Sykesville- NE Billy Heinbuch

June 9, 2011
Frederick Road &Morgan Station Road
Wes Earp — June 9, 2011 Frederick Road &Morgan Station Road Wes Earp

Northern Scarletsnake Cemophora coccinea copei	14–20″
In or near soils suitable for burrowing (sandy, loamy), in logs, beneath fallen bark. Secretive, Seldom seen except at night or after heavy rains.

May 28, 2013
Savage- NE
Kevin Crocetti — May 28, 2013 Savage- NE Kevin Crocetti

Northern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson	22–53″
Wooded hillsides w/ rock outcrops above streams or ponds; edges of swamps. Basks during day in spring and fall; becomes nocturnal in warm weather. Favors rotting logs, sawdust piles, debris piles, large flat stones near streams. Small rodents, also small birds, frogs, large insects.

August 12, 2012
Savage- NE
Jacob Smith — August 12, 2012 Savage- NE Jacob Smith

June 15, 2011
Sykesville- NE
Jo Solem — June 15, 2011 Sykesville- NE Jo Solem

June 6, 2020
Savage
Photo provided by Sue Muller — June 6, 2020 Savage Photo provided by Sue Muller

Salamanders

Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum	3.5–5″
Moist, sandy area; swamp lowlands; wooded hillsides above temporary pools; most of life is lived underground. Found under rocks, logs, other debris spring & fall

July 6, 2010
Waterford Farm
Wes Earp — July 6, 2010 Waterford Farm Wes Earp

July 13, 1983
Hammond Village
Bob Solem — July 13, 1983 Hammond Village Bob Solem

October 2, 2014
MPEA
Jeff Claffy — October 2, 2014 MPEA Jeff Claffy

October 7, 2013
Bollingbrook
Sue Muller — October 7, 2013 Bollingbrook Sue Muller

October 14, 2015
Clarksville CE
Pamela Franks — October 14, 2015 Clarksville CE Pamela Franks

Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum	5.5–9.2″
Woods, hillsides near woodland pools on floodplain during breeding; much time spent underground. Worms, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, small insects.

July 7, 2010
Frederich Road & Daisy Road
Wes Earp — July 7, 2010 Frederich Road & Daisy Road Wes Earp

March 25, 2010
David Force WMA
Bob Solem — March 25, 2010 David Force WMA Bob Solem

March 12, 2012
Waterford Farm
Wes Earp — March 12, 2012 Waterford Farm Wes Earp

Red-spotted Newt Notophthalmus viridescens	2.6–5.5″
Ponds, lakes w/ dense submerged vegetation, swamps, streams, forest pools, moist woodlands. Adult: totally aquatic; eft (juvenile) mostly terrestrial; after several years transforms to ad. & returns to water. Worms, insects, small crustaceans.

May 12, 2012
Waterford Farm
Mark Wallace — May 12, 2012 Waterford Farm Mark Wallace

March 26, 2012
Haviland Mill Road
Wes Earp — March 26, 2012 Haviland Mill Road Wes Earp

July 8, 2011
Manor Woods ES
Jo Solem — July 8, 2011 Manor Woods ES Jo Solem

Eastern Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus	2.5–5″
Cool, moist mixed, deciduous, or coniferous forests. Terrestrial. During day hides under stones, bark, or woody debris; at night searches moist leaf litter; in dry weather goes underground, re-surfaces after rains. Very difficult to find during summer months. Ants, mites, slugs, beetles, small insects.

January 2, 2013
Western Regional Park
Bonnie Ott — January 2, 2013 Western Regional Park Bonnie Ott

April 11,2011
Old Frederick Road & Forsythe Road
Wes Earp — April 11,2011 Old Frederick Road & Forsythe Road Wes Earp

February 28, 2013
Savage - CE
Mark Wallace — February 28, 2013 Savage - CE Mark Wallace

March 4, 2012
Rockburn Branch Park
Bonnie Ott — March 4, 2012 Rockburn Branch Park Bonnie Ott

Northern Slimy Salamander Plethodon glutinosus	4.5–8″
Moist wooded ravines or hillsides; floodplains, shale banks. At surface in early spring (except when dry); under flat rocks, rotten logs; after showers roams forest floor; active until sub-freezing temperatures in fall. Does not occur on Coastal Plain. Nocturnal. Wide variety of insects & invertebrates.

June 4, 2012
Larriland Farm
Wes Earp — June 4, 2012 Larriland Farm Wes Earp

Northern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus fuscus	2.5–5.5″
Rocky woodland streams, seepages, springs, floodplains & mucky sites. Usually absent from large streams where fish predators occur. Insect larvae, sowbugs, earthworms.

March 26, 2013
Daviels Road (PVSP)
Bonnie Ott — March 26, 2013 Daviels Road (PVSP) Bonnie Ott

July 12, 2010
Henryton
Richard Orr — July 12, 2010 Henryton Richard Orr

June 30, 2010
Damanscus - NE (H.C.)
Bob Solem — June 30, 2010 Damanscus - NE (H.C.) Bob Solem

Northern Red Salamander Pseudotriton ruber	3.8–7″
Springs, seepages, cool clear brooks & adjacent woodlands & lowlands. Although it can range some distance from water, it is usually found in leaf litter of spring-fed brooks or under rocks or other debris. Earthworms.

March 5, 2013
Mount Pleasant
Bonnie Ott — March 5, 2013 Mount Pleasant Bonnie Ott

July 2, 2010
Annapolis Rock Road
Richard Orr — July 2, 2010 Annapolis Rock Road Richard Orr

November 12, 2010
Summer Sunrise Drive
Wes Earp — November 12, 2010 Summer Sunrise Drive Wes Earp

July 2, 2010
Chaconas (HoCo Rec & Parks)
Sue Earp — July 2, 2010 Chaconas (HoCo Rec & Parks) Sue Earp

March 18, 2011
Triadelphia Reservoir
Sue Earp — March 18, 2011 Triadelphia Reservoir Sue Earp

April 30, 2012
Kingsbridge Road
Wes Earp — April 30, 2012 Kingsbridge Road Wes Earp

Northern Spring Salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus	4.8–7.2″
Any wet depression beneath logs, stones, or leaves in surrounding forest. Very unusual!

August 28, 2010
Savage - SW
Kevin Crocetti — August 28, 2010 Savage - SW Kevin Crocetti

Northern Two-lined Salamander Eurycea bislineata	2.2–4.8″
Rock-bottomed brooks, seepages, floodplains; in locations where fish are at a minimum it hides under objects, often at water’s edge; wanders into woodlands in wet weather. Abundant streamside species. When discovered, runs or swims away vigorously.

Feb 15, 2013
Fulton [egg mass]
Mark Wallace — Feb 15, 2013 Fulton [egg mass] Mark Wallace

June 26, 2010
Cascade Falls Trail
Richard Orr — June 26, 2010 Cascade Falls Trail Richard Orr

March 15, 2013
Daniels Road
Bonnie Ott — March 15, 2013 Daniels Road Bonnie Ott

May 6, 2011
Woodbine - SE
Wes Earp — May 6, 2011 Woodbine - SE Wes Earp

Long-tailed Salamander Eurycea longicauda	4–7.2″
Springs, seepages, floodplains, caves. Mostly terrestrial. On warm rainy nights it searches the forest floor for invertebrates.

May 25, 2011
Woodbine - SE
Wes Earp — May 25, 2011 Woodbine - SE Wes Earp

August 27, 2012
Woodbine NE
Mark Wallace — August 27, 2012 Woodbine NE Mark Wallace

Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum	2–4″
Bogs, floodplains & associated hardwood forests near boggy areas, especially associated w/ sphagnum.

March 14, 2013
MPEA
Bonnie Ott — March 14, 2013 MPEA Bonnie Ott

October 20, 2012
Clarksville - SE
Jo Solem — October 20, 2012 Clarksville - SE Jo Solem

October 17, 2016
Savage - CE
Mark Wallace — October 17, 2016 Savage - CE Mark Wallace

Toads

American Toad Anaxyrus americanus	2–4.2″
Moist forests, floodplains, gardens; more resistant to dehydration than most frogs so doesn’t need to stay near water as long as food is plentiful. Color varies. Primarily nocturnal.

April 14, 2014
MPEA
Joanne Solem — April 14, 2014 MPEA Joanne Solem

July 31, 2010
Clarksville - SW
Wes Earp — July 31, 2010 Clarksville - SW Wes Earp

April 24, 2010
Dorsey Woods
Richard Orr — April 24, 2010 Dorsey Woods Richard Orr

May 29, 2012
Sykesville - SE
Mark Wallace — May 29, 2012 Sykesville - SE Mark Wallace

April 5, 2010
Alpha Ridge Park
Richard Orr — April 5, 2010 Alpha Ridge Park Richard Orr

Fowler’s Toad Anaxyrus fowleri	2.5–5″
Sandy soil; marshes, yards, temporary pools. Usually a Coastal Plain species. Primarily nocturnal. Count warts in dark spots on back to separate from A. americanus.

June 6, 2011
Clarksville - SW
Wes Earp — June 6, 2011 Clarksville - SW Wes Earp

July 15, 2010
Sandy Spring - NE
Jo Solem — July 15, 2010 Sandy Spring - NE Jo Solem

May 27, 2012
Daniels PVSP
Annette Allor — May 27, 2012 Daniels PVSP Annette Allor

Frogs

Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer
Low plants near temporary pools in thickets & woodlands. (Chorus frogs prefer open calling stations.) Mostly nocturnal, but sometimes found by day in wet woodlands.

July 6, 2010
Woodbine - SW
Wes Earp — July 6, 2010 Woodbine - SW Wes Earp

April 27, 2010
Manor Woods ES
Sue Earp — April 27, 2010 Manor Woods ES Sue Earp

April 5, 2011
Schooley Mill Park
Richard Orr — April 5, 2011 Schooley Mill Park Richard Orr

Eastern Cricket Frog
Acris crepitans

Mudflats, edges sunny shallow ponds w/ vegetation, streams w/ sunny banks, floodplains. Diurnal; active, hard to catch in grass at water’s edge. Coastal Plain species; uncommon above Fall Line.

April 1, 2013
Savage - SE
Mark Wallace — April 1, 2013 Savage - SE Mark Wallace

June 15, 2014
Ellicott City - SW
Mike Thompson — June 15, 2014 Ellicott City - SW Mike Thompson

Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Hyla chrysoscelis

Trees & shrubs near woodlands, usually near a permanent body of water. Shuns large permanent swamps. Mostly forages aloft. Can only be separated from H. versicolor by difference in call rate.

Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor

Trees & shrubs near woodlands, usually near a permanent body of water. Shuns large permanent swamps. Mostly forages aloft. Can only be separated from H. chrysoscelis by difference in call rate.

The photograph below is actually a Cope’s Treefrog.

Wood Frog Lithobates sylvaticus	1.4–2.2″
Woodland ponds & temporary floodplain pools outside of breeding season may be found far from water. Normally one of first frogs to be heard in spring; may use same pools as Spotted Salamanders.

March 2, 2012
Woodbine - SW
Wes Earp — March 2, 2012 Woodbine - SW Wes Earp

March 1, 2011
Woodbine - NE
Richard Orr — March 1, 2011 Woodbine - NE Richard Orr

August 18, 2019
Morning Choice Trail
Kevin Heffernan — August 18, 2019 Morning Choice Trail Kevin Heffernan

April 4, 2014
Font Hill Park
Annette Allor — April 4, 2014 Font Hill Park Annette Allor

Southern Leopard Frog Lithobates spenocephalus utricularius
Shallow, freshwater habitats. Ventures well away from water in summer among moist vegetation. Mostly a Coastal Plain species. Primarily nocturnal.

July 17, 2001
Western Regional Park
Bonnie Ott — July 17, 2001 Western Regional Park Bonnie Ott

Pickerel Frog Lithobates palustris
Cool, clear slow-moving woodland stream, ponds, lakes w/ low, dense vegetation; adjacent wet meadows. Wanders well out in grassy field in summer. Leaps into water from shore when disturbed. Nocturnal.

September 3, 2009
Western Regional Park
Bonnie Ott — September 3, 2009 Western Regional Park Bonnie Ott

April 27, 2010
MPEA
Richard Orr — April 27, 2010 MPEA Richard Orr

October 18, 2011
Centennial Park
Annette Allor — October 18, 2011 Centennial Park Annette Allor

Northern Green Frog Lithobates clamitans
Wetlands, ponds, stream, shallow edges. Primarily nocturnal.

April 1, 2012
Howard County
Annette Allor — April 1, 2012 Howard County Annette Allor

June 1, 2007
Savage Park
Sue Earp — June 1, 2007 Savage Park Sue Earp

July 31, 2010
Schooley Mill Park
Jo Solem — July 31, 2010 Schooley Mill Park Jo Solem

American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus	3.5–8″

June 3, 2010
Ellicott City - CW
Bob Solem — June 3, 2010 Ellicott City - CW Bob Solem

June 3, 2010
Ellicott City - CW
Jo Solem — June 3, 2010 Ellicott City - CW Jo Solem

June 17, 2010
Hipsely Mill Road
Jeff Culler — June 17, 2010 Hipsely Mill Road Jeff Culler

August 20, 2011
Woodbine - CW
Sue Earp — August 20, 2011 Woodbine - CW Sue Earp

December 3, 2012
Franciscan Friars
Richard Orr — December 3, 2012 Franciscan Friars Richard Orr