inhs.uiuc.edu / frogs and lizards
http://dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/aquatic/frogs_toads.htm
FROGS AND TOADS OF ILLINOIS
http://frogblogci.blogspot.com/
Frog Blog of Central Illinois
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/r3/upmsrept.htm
USGS Amphibian and Reptile Checklists of the United States
http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/index.htm?http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/outreach/misc/general_reference_guide.htm&2
amphibian field guide books
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Illinois Frog and Toad Facts
Chorus Frog <> Spring Peeper <> Pickerel Frog
Wood Frog <> Blanchard Cricket Frog
Gray Frog <> Green Frog <> Leopard Frog
Bullfrog <> American Toad
Frogs and toads do not cause warts.
The largest Illinois anuran is the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, which can attain a snout-to-vent length of 15 cm (6 inches).
The smallest Illinois anuran is the cricket frog, Acris crepitans, which averages 2 cm (1 inch) snout-to-vent length.
The average frog can leap a distance equal to ten times its body length.
Most burrowing frogs dig with their hind legs, but the Illinois chorus frog, Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis, is one of only a few burrowing species that digs with its front legs.
The diet of the eastern narrowmouth toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis, consists almost exclusively of ants.
The long tongue of frogs and toads is folded in half when stored in the mouth. When extended for capturing prey, the tongue unfolds and is flipped out rather than being cast out straight.
The Illinois chorus frog, Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis, can hunt for food while it is underground. It probably eats a variety of insect larvae, such as cutworms (moth larvae), that it finds in its sandy burrows.
Bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, are famous for their incredible eating habits. They will attempt to eat anything that moves -- that they can at least partially swallow. They have been known to eat baby ducks, small mammals, other bullfrogs, and snakes.
The treefrogs of Illinois have a sticky cup at the end of each toe that allows them to climb vertical surfaces such as windows and tree trunks. Treefrogs may be found in branches more than fifty feet off the ground.
A female bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, can lay over 20,000 eggs in a thin film measuring two feet by two feet.
Some Illinois frogs, such as the wood frog, Rana sylvatica, accumulate glycerol in their body tissues. The glycerol acts as an antifreeze, allowing them to survive subfreezing temperatures.
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IllinoisIllinois Frog and Toad Facts
Wood Frog <> Blanchard Cricket Frog
Gray Frog <> Green Frog <> Leopard Frog
Bullfrog <> American Toad
Frogs and toads do not cause warts.
The largest Illinois anuran is the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, which can attain a snout-to-vent length of 15 cm (6 inches).
The smallest Illinois anuran is the cricket frog, Acris crepitans, which averages 2 cm (1 inch) snout-to-vent length.
The average frog can leap a distance equal to ten times its body length.
Most burrowing frogs dig with their hind legs, but the Illinois chorus frog, Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis, is one of only a few burrowing species that digs with its front legs.
The diet of the eastern narrowmouth toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis, consists almost exclusively of ants.
The long tongue of frogs and toads is folded in half when stored in the mouth. When extended for capturing prey, the tongue unfolds and is flipped out rather than being cast out straight.
The Illinois chorus frog, Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis, can hunt for food while it is underground. It probably eats a variety of insect larvae, such as cutworms (moth larvae), that it finds in its sandy burrows.
Bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, are famous for their incredible eating habits. They will attempt to eat anything that moves -- that they can at least partially swallow. They have been known to eat baby ducks, small mammals, other bullfrogs, and snakes.
The treefrogs of Illinois have a sticky cup at the end of each toe that allows them to climb vertical surfaces such as windows and tree trunks. Treefrogs may be found in branches more than fifty feet off the ground.
A female bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, can lay over 20,000 eggs in a thin film measuring two feet by two feet.
Some Illinois frogs, such as the wood frog, Rana sylvatica, accumulate glycerol in their body tissues. The glycerol acts as an antifreeze, allowing them to survive subfreezing temperatures.
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LIZARDS - Illinois
Lizards have the following traits
*4 legs (most species) *claws (most species) *eyelids
*ear openings (most species) *scales
Lizards are land-based and may be seen sunning on logs or rocks. They climb up trees, too. They are secretive and shy. Lizards run very fast to escape danger and may even drop part of their tail. The tail will grow back but will be shorter than the original.
Lizards are covered with dry scales. They shed their skin in patches as they grow, sometimes eating it to recover nutrients. Most lizards can change colors to some degree. Breeding male lizards are frequently very colorful.
Shelled eggs are laid under bark, rocks or in rotten logs. The eggs may or may not be guarded by an adult.
These animals are carnivores with insects making up a large portion of the diet.
Like snakes, lizards use their tongue to pick up chemicals from the environment.
EASTERN FENCE LIZARD Sceloporus undulatus (skel-AW-pore-us un-dew-LATE-us)
southern one-third of Illinois
The fence lizard (4-7.25 inches) is covered with rough, overlapping scales. Each scale has a spine that points toward the tail. The heavy body is gray with 5-8 brown or black bands.
This lizard is found in open, dry wooded areas such as rocky hillsides or woodlots. You may see it sunning itself on fallen trees, stumps or rail fences. It is a good climber. Sometimes the lizard is seen doing "push-ups" with its front legs. It eats insects and other arthropods.
The fence lizard breeds in late April and early May. The female deposits eggs in rotten logs or stumps. Hatchlings may be found by August.
SLENDER GLASS LIZARD Ophisaurus attenuatus (oh-fee-SAUR-us uh-TEN-you-ate-us)
statewide but not common
This tan, limbless lizard is 22-42 inches long and has a distinct dark stripe along the middle of its back. It may have white stripes along its side.
This animal is terrestrial and prefers areas with loose soil and sand where it may be found under rocks, logs and other objects. Its tail is very fragile and breaks easily. It is a carnivrore, eating animals such as lizards, snakes and crickets.
Very little is known about the reproduction of the species.
COMMON FIVE-LINED SKINK Eumeces fasciatus (you-ME-sees fas-e-AH-tus)
southern half of Illinois
This animal is 5-8 inches long. Females and young have five long, light stripes on a dark background. Mature males are tan, gray or bronze with red cheeks. Young have blue tails.
Often seen on sunny days around abandoned buildings, rotten logs, dead trees or rock outcrops, this skink can move very quickly if disturbed. It may lose its tail to distract a predator. Arthropods, earthworms and mollusks make up a large part of the diet. The five-lined skink will bite you if you try to pick it up.
Each female lays about nine eggs in rotten logs or stumps daily in July. The eggs are guarded by the female.
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Lizards have the following traits
*4 legs (most species) *claws (most species) *eyelids
*ear openings (most species) *scales
Lizards are land-based and may be seen sunning on logs or rocks. They climb up trees, too. They are secretive and shy. Lizards run very fast to escape danger and may even drop part of their tail. The tail will grow back but will be shorter than the original.
Lizards are covered with dry scales. They shed their skin in patches as they grow, sometimes eating it to recover nutrients. Most lizards can change colors to some degree. Breeding male lizards are frequently very colorful.
Shelled eggs are laid under bark, rocks or in rotten logs. The eggs may or may not be guarded by an adult.
These animals are carnivores with insects making up a large portion of the diet.
Like snakes, lizards use their tongue to pick up chemicals from the environment.
EASTERN FENCE LIZARD Sceloporus undulatus (skel-AW-pore-us un-dew-LATE-us)
southern one-third of Illinois
The fence lizard (4-7.25 inches) is covered with rough, overlapping scales. Each scale has a spine that points toward the tail. The heavy body is gray with 5-8 brown or black bands.
This lizard is found in open, dry wooded areas such as rocky hillsides or woodlots. You may see it sunning itself on fallen trees, stumps or rail fences. It is a good climber. Sometimes the lizard is seen doing "push-ups" with its front legs. It eats insects and other arthropods.
The fence lizard breeds in late April and early May. The female deposits eggs in rotten logs or stumps. Hatchlings may be found by August.
SLENDER GLASS LIZARD Ophisaurus attenuatus (oh-fee-SAUR-us uh-TEN-you-ate-us)
statewide but not common
This tan, limbless lizard is 22-42 inches long and has a distinct dark stripe along the middle of its back. It may have white stripes along its side.
This animal is terrestrial and prefers areas with loose soil and sand where it may be found under rocks, logs and other objects. Its tail is very fragile and breaks easily. It is a carnivrore, eating animals such as lizards, snakes and crickets.
Very little is known about the reproduction of the species.
COMMON FIVE-LINED SKINK Eumeces fasciatus (you-ME-sees fas-e-AH-tus)
southern half of Illinois
This animal is 5-8 inches long. Females and young have five long, light stripes on a dark background. Mature males are tan, gray or bronze with red cheeks. Young have blue tails.
Often seen on sunny days around abandoned buildings, rotten logs, dead trees or rock outcrops, this skink can move very quickly if disturbed. It may lose its tail to distract a predator. Arthropods, earthworms and mollusks make up a large part of the diet. The five-lined skink will bite you if you try to pick it up.
Each female lays about nine eggs in rotten logs or stumps daily in July. The eggs are guarded by the female.
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Scientific Name Common Name(s)
Caudata
Salamanders
Ambystoma jeffersonianum Jefferson Salamander
Ambystoma laterale Blue-spotted Salamander
Ambystoma maculatum Spotted Salamander
Ambystoma opacum Marbled Salamander
Ambystoma platineum Silvery Salamander
Ambystoma talpoideum Mole Salamander
Ambystoma texanum Small-mouthed Salamander
Ambystoma tigrinum Tiger Salamander
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis Hellbender
Desmognathus conanti Spotted Dusky Salamander
Eurycea cirrigera Southern Two-lined Salamander
Eurycea longicauda Long-tailed Salamander
Eurycea lucifuga Cave Salamander
Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon dorsalis Northern Zigzag Salamander
Plethodon glutinosus Northern Slimy Salamander
Necturus maculosus Mudpuppy
Notophthalmus viridescens Eastern Newt
Siren intermedia Lesser Siren
Anura
Toads and Frogs
Bufo americanus American Toad
Bufo fowleri Fowler's Toad
Acris crepitans Northern Cricket Frog
Hyla avivoca Bird-voiced Treefrog
Hyla cinerea Green Treefrog
Hyla chrysoscelis Cope's Grey Treefrog
Hyla versicolor-chrysoscelis Grey Treefrog Complex
Hyla versicolor Eastern Grey Treefrog
Pseudacris crucifer Spring Peeper
Pseudacris feriarum Southeastern Chorus Frog
Pseudacris streckeri Strecker's Chorus Frog
Pseudacris triseriata Western Chorus Frog
Gastrophryne carolinensis Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Scaphiopus holbrookii Eastern Spadefoot
Rana areolata Crawfish Frog
Rana blairi Plains Leopard Frog
Rana catesbeiana Bullfrog
Rana clamitans Green Frog
Rana palustris Pickerel Frog
Rana pipiens Northern Leopard Frog
Rana sphenocephala Southern Leopard Frog
Rana sylvatica Wood Frog
Testudines
Turtles
Chelydra serpentina Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii Alligator Snapping Turtle
Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle
Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle
Emydoidea blandingii Blanding's Turtle
Graptemys geographica Map Turtle
Graptemys ouachitensis Ouachita Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica False Map Turtle
Pseudemys concinna River Cooter
Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata Ornate Box Turtle
Trachemys scripta Pond Slider
Kinosternon flavescens Yellow Mud Turtle
Kinosternon subrubrum Eastern Mud Turtle
Sternotherus odoratus Stinkpot
Apalone mutica Smooth Softshell
Apalone spinifera Spiny Softshell
Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Lizards
Ophisaurus attenuatus Slender Glass Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris* Collared Lizard
Sceloporus undulatus Eastern Fence Lizard
Eumeces fasciatus Common Five-lined Skink
Eumeces laticeps Broad-headed Skink
Scincella lateralis Ground Skink
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus Six-lined Racerunner
Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Snakes
Carphophis amoenus Eastern Wormsnake
Cemophora coccinea Scarletsnake
Clonophis kirtlandii Kirtland's Snake
Coluber constrictor Eastern Racer
Diadophis punctatus Ring-necked Snake
Elaphe emoryi Great Plains Ratsnake
Elaphe spiloides Gray Ratsnake
Elaphe vulpina Western Foxsnake
Farancia abacura Mudsnake
Heterodon nasicus Western Hog-nosed Snake
Heterodon platirhinos Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Lampropeltis calligaster Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula Common Kingsnake
Lampropeltis triangulum Milk Snake
Masticophis flagellum Coachwhip
Nerodia cyclopion Mississippi Green Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia fasciata Southern Watersnake
Nerodia rhombifer Diamondback Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon Northern Watersnake
Opheodrys aestivus Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys vernalis Smooth Greensnake
Pituophis catenifer Gophersnake
Regina grahamii Graham's Crayfish Snake
Regina septemvittata Queen Snake
Storeria dekayi Dekay's Brownsnake
Storeria occipitomaculata Red-bellied Snake
Tantilla gracilis Flat-headed Snake
Thamnophis proximus Western Ribbonsnake
Thamnophis radix Plains Gartersnake
Thamnophis sauritus Eastern Ribbonsnake
Thamnophis sirtalis Common Gartersnake
Tropidoclonion lineatum Lined Snake
Virginia valeriae Eastern Smooth Earthsnake
Agkistrodon contortrix Copperhead
Agkistrodon piscivorus Cottonmouth
Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake
Sistrurus catenatus Massasauga
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