7 species of reptiles and amphibians at Lake Herrick
Note: All pictures and illustrations on this page are by Gigi Gonsalves
Cope's gray treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis
These frogs are the most common treefrog species in the Piedmont region of Georgia and are found in a variety of wooded habitats (though primarily in deciduous forests). They like to breed in fishless wetlands (as tadpoles are less likely to get eaten when there are no fish around). They are fairly large, generally 1.25 to 2 inches long, and they have rather large toe pads with granular skin. Some are mottled gray in color while others are light green, and their inner thighs are bright orange when exposed.
These frogs are the most common treefrog species in the Piedmont region of Georgia and are found in a variety of wooded habitats (though primarily in deciduous forests). They like to breed in fishless wetlands (as tadpoles are less likely to get eaten when there are no fish around). They are fairly large, generally 1.25 to 2 inches long, and they have rather large toe pads with granular skin. Some are mottled gray in color while others are light green, and their inner thighs are bright orange when exposed.
Three-lined salamander, Eurycea guttolineata
These slender stream salamanders are easily distinguishable by their three bold black stripes that run from their eyes to their tails, while their undersides are marbled with black and white. They grow to be 4 to 6.25 inches long, and, interestingly, their tails make up 2/3 of their body length! They can be found throughout the Southeast (of North America), and from the Coastal Plains to the mountains in Georgia, especially near streams in bottomland hardwood forests and cypress swamps. Lastly, they are more of a nocturnal creature as they emerge from wood or rocks at night to search for insects and other small invertebrates to eat.
These slender stream salamanders are easily distinguishable by their three bold black stripes that run from their eyes to their tails, while their undersides are marbled with black and white. They grow to be 4 to 6.25 inches long, and, interestingly, their tails make up 2/3 of their body length! They can be found throughout the Southeast (of North America), and from the Coastal Plains to the mountains in Georgia, especially near streams in bottomland hardwood forests and cypress swamps. Lastly, they are more of a nocturnal creature as they emerge from wood or rocks at night to search for insects and other small invertebrates to eat.
Green anole, Anolis carolinensis
Native to the southeastern United States (and the only anole species native to North America), these bright green (and sometimes brown) creatures grow to be 5 to 8 inches long. They eat insects, spiders and other invertebrates and often rest in vegetation on warm, sunny days while hiding under tree bark and rotten logs during colder days. They tend to be arboreal overall, meaning they most commonly live in trees. The male anoles (like the one pictured to the left) have pinkish-red throat fans that they display in territorial fights or when trying to attract females. They also have color-changing abilities similar to those of a chameleon (though not quite as sophisticated)!
Native to the southeastern United States (and the only anole species native to North America), these bright green (and sometimes brown) creatures grow to be 5 to 8 inches long. They eat insects, spiders and other invertebrates and often rest in vegetation on warm, sunny days while hiding under tree bark and rotten logs during colder days. They tend to be arboreal overall, meaning they most commonly live in trees. The male anoles (like the one pictured to the left) have pinkish-red throat fans that they display in territorial fights or when trying to attract females. They also have color-changing abilities similar to those of a chameleon (though not quite as sophisticated)!
Red-bellied water snake, Pseudechis porphyriacus
An extremely rare sighting at Lake Herrick, these rather large snakes grow to be between 30 and 48 inches long. They are usually dark/light brown or gray with bright orange or yellowish unpatterned undersides. Native to the southeastern United States, they can be found throughout the Coastal Plains of Georgia as well as in lower parts of the Piedmont region of Georgia They favor most bodies of water, such as wetlands, rivers and lakes, and the prey on amphibians and fish. Interestingly, thesy tend to flee onto land when approached by humans or predators, while most water snakes tend to flee into the water when approached or startled. In fact, red-bellied water snakes are considered the most terrestrial water snake in Georgia.
An extremely rare sighting at Lake Herrick, these rather large snakes grow to be between 30 and 48 inches long. They are usually dark/light brown or gray with bright orange or yellowish unpatterned undersides. Native to the southeastern United States, they can be found throughout the Coastal Plains of Georgia as well as in lower parts of the Piedmont region of Georgia They favor most bodies of water, such as wetlands, rivers and lakes, and the prey on amphibians and fish. Interestingly, thesy tend to flee onto land when approached by humans or predators, while most water snakes tend to flee into the water when approached or startled. In fact, red-bellied water snakes are considered the most terrestrial water snake in Georgia.
Common box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina
Found throughout the eastern United States, these terrestrial turtles grow to be 4.5 to 6 inches in length and are distinguishable by their high rounded shells patterned with yellowish orange splotches. Males are identified by their red eyes, and, interestingly, they have plastrons (bottoms of the shells) that are hinged, allowing them to completely close their shells (hence why they're named box turtles). They are very common in open hardwood forests, foraging on mushrooms, berries and occasionally slugs and worms.
Found throughout the eastern United States, these terrestrial turtles grow to be 4.5 to 6 inches in length and are distinguishable by their high rounded shells patterned with yellowish orange splotches. Males are identified by their red eyes, and, interestingly, they have plastrons (bottoms of the shells) that are hinged, allowing them to completely close their shells (hence why they're named box turtles). They are very common in open hardwood forests, foraging on mushrooms, berries and occasionally slugs and worms.
North American Racer, Coluber constrictor
These snakes get their name from the fact that they speedily slither through grassy and scrubland habitats. They are black or blue-black with pale bellies and can grow up to five feet long. They're not venomous, and they typically hunt and feed on insects, lizards, small rodents and birds during the day. Cool fact: they don't constrict their prey- they just swallow them whole. They inhabit most parts of North America and are also found in Central America.
These snakes get their name from the fact that they speedily slither through grassy and scrubland habitats. They are black or blue-black with pale bellies and can grow up to five feet long. They're not venomous, and they typically hunt and feed on insects, lizards, small rodents and birds during the day. Cool fact: they don't constrict their prey- they just swallow them whole. They inhabit most parts of North America and are also found in Central America.
Green tree frog, Hyla cinerea
Found throughout the Southeast, these are medium-sized tree frogs that grow to be 1.25 to 2.5 inches in length. They have long limbs, long digits and sticky toe pads, and, of course, are a bright green color (often with white stripes along their sides). While they're generally arboreal (living in trees) they love swamps, weedy ponds and lake margins, especially during the breeding season. They can be seen in the grass by the upper pond at Lake Herrick from March to October, and they tend to make a loud sound that goes, "reeeenk, reeeeenk, reeeeenk."
Found throughout the Southeast, these are medium-sized tree frogs that grow to be 1.25 to 2.5 inches in length. They have long limbs, long digits and sticky toe pads, and, of course, are a bright green color (often with white stripes along their sides). While they're generally arboreal (living in trees) they love swamps, weedy ponds and lake margins, especially during the breeding season. They can be seen in the grass by the upper pond at Lake Herrick from March to October, and they tend to make a loud sound that goes, "reeeenk, reeeeenk, reeeeenk."
Below are links to more reptiles and amphibians found in the Athens area (as not all species were recorded on this page):