EKU Herpetology

Northern Slimy Salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus) definitely live up to their names! These speckled black-and-white salamanders will produce a thick, sticky, glue-like substance as a defense against predators.

The green frog (Lithobates clamitans) is a common aquatic frog that can live for up to 5 years. Their call resembles the sound of a loose banjo string being plucked.

The Eastern Hognose is one of Kentucky’s most interesting snakes. While technically venomous, they specialize in eating frogs and toads, so you don’t have to worry about handling them at all! They are often confused for “cobras” as they will flatten their head and hiss as a threat display.

Eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) do "push ups" to display bright, iridescent blue patches on their throats and bellies to attract mates and warn rivals during the breeding season.

The Northern Zigzag salamander (Plethodon dorsalis) is an invertivore, meaning it eats a wide range of terrestrial invertebrates. Terrestrial salamanders like these represent an important energetic link between forest floor invertebrates and larger vertebrate predators.

Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi) are highly variable in color and can even adjust the tone of their skin to camouflage themselves. Along with the Northern Cricket Frog (A. crepitans), these species show several distinct color morphs throughout their ranges.

The rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) is a non-venomous arboreal snake known for inhabiting dense vegetation, shrubs, and trees (such as greenbrier). They will usually be present near water sources, including streams and ponds. Being a bright green color, they can stay well-camouflaged in their surroundings, often using the "freezing in place" strategy to avoid predators. They are a docile, timid species, preferring to hide rather than bite. They are known to occur all over the southeastern United States and are active from April to October (most commonly found during hot, sunny days in the summer).

While normally darker on its back, the Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) is brightly colored on its underside. When threatened, the snake will flip over, showing off its bright colors, and coil its tail as a response. The coiled tail is actually used to mimic the snake's head, drawing attention (and sometimes attacks) away from its real one.

Like many of the lungless salamanders, the Southern Ravine Salamander (Plethodon richmondi) does not need water to reproduce! While most salamanders need water for their eggs, the Southern Ravine Salamander can lay its eggs under logs and in the soil, with embryos skipping the larval stage and undergoing direct development into terrestrial juveniles!

Although this individual was captured in South Carolina, Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis) actually do reach the northernmost extent of their range in Kentucky. A complication in distinguishing this species from the Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) is that Green Anoles often turn brown when cold or stressed!