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Species List

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Frogs and Toads

Frogs and toads are a diverse and environmentally sensitive order of amphibians. They are characterized by lack of tails and have limbs adapted for jumping, swimming, burrowing, and climbing. Frogs and toads have adapted to a range of landscapes and environments spanning from desert to fully aquatic and can be found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Worldwide there are over 6,500 species of frogs and toads; thirteen species call Michigan home, with several species found throughout the state. Each species uses a unique call to attract mates throughout the breeding season. Eggs are laid in water bodies and the aquatic larvae - known as tadpoles - develop and metamorphose in the water that they hatch into. The larvae of many species are dependent on fishless habitats to develop; an absence of predators allows the larvae to fully metamorphose into adults. Frogs and toads have permeable skin, and although they do have lungs, much of their respiration occurs through the skin.  

Interesting Facts

  • Eastern American Toads have glands behind their eyes that produce toxins that are distasteful to predators.
  • The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog was named in honor of Frank Blanchard, one of Michigan’s first herpetologists.
  • Spring Peepers overwinter in the forest floor leaf litter. They have an incredible tolerance to cold conditions, and their bodies produce compounds that prevent them from freezing.
  • Northern Leopard Frogs were one of Michigan’s most abundant species, and they have declined significantly since the 1950s. This is largely due to their sensitivity to chemicals and toxins in the environment.
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Lizards

Lizards represent a very successful group of reptiles within the order Squamata. Most lizards possess four legs as well as a tail which often can detach or “drop off” to be used as a distraction for potential predators. Only two species of lizards are native to Michigan, these are the Five-lined Skink and the Six-lined Racerunner. While lizards are relatively uncommon to come across in the state of Michigan, there are over 4,500 species worldwide.

Interesting Facts

  • Female Five-lined Skinks will brood and guard their eggs against small predators and will protect their young until one or two days after hatching. Females also will lay their eggs in communal nests and help each other protect their eggs.
  • Male Six-lined Racerunners form hierarchies during the breeding season, with large, aggressive males at the top of the chain. These large males have more mating opportunities than smaller, more submissive males.
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Salamanders, Newts and Mudpuppies

There are over 675 species of salamanders known worldwide, and North America is a center of salamander diversity! Salamanders are tailed amphibians that generally have four legs: a unique family of salamanders called Sirens only have two legs. Salamanders lack scales and claws and prefer cool, moist surroundings, in contrast to the scaled and warmth-loving lizards that tend to prefer drier environments. Salamanders have some amazing reproductive traits, including elaborate courtship rituals, breeding migrations to vernal ponds, and aquatic larval stages. Some species are dependent on vernal pools for breeding and display incredible site fidelity, with many never straying further than 900 feet from their pool. This demonstrates the importance of such small, isolated wetlands. Michigan supports twelve species of salamanders!

Interesting Facts

  • Female Mudpuppies protect their eggs until they hatch and sometimes guard their nest while the young are hatching and dispersing.
  • The spots on the Eastern Newt are intended to warn potential predators that they are toxic. This species is thus able to occur in aquatic habitats that other species could not survive due to predation.
  • The skin of the Blue-Spotted Salamander contains poison glands that produce a whitish, noxious substance that is particularly concentrated in the tail.
  • The Northern Dusky Salamander is very isolated in Michigan and may be a post-glacial relic.
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Common Name

Brook Salamanders

Scientific Name

Eurycea
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Common Name

Dusky Salamanders

Scientific Name

Desmognathus
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Common Name

Eastern Newts

Scientific Name

Notophthalmus
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Common Name

Four-toed Salamanders

Scientific Name

Hemidactylium
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Common Name

Mole Salamanders

Scientific Name

Ambystoma
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Common Name

Mudpuppies

Scientific Name

Necturus
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Common Name

Sirens

Scientific Name

Siren
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Common Name

Woodland Salamanders

Scientific Name

Plethodon
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Snakes

Snakes are one of the two groups of reptiles that make up the Squamata order, the other being lizards. Snakes use a unique legless form of locomotion which utilizes muscles located in the ribs and friction with the ground to propel the animal forward as well as constrict prey in some species. Despite the harsh reputation snakes endure, many snake species help to control rodent and pest populations and serve a crucial role as “meso” or middle predators in ecosystem food webs. There are around 3,000 species of snakes in the world and 18 species native to Michigan. The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is the only pit viper found in Michigan and is federally threatened across its range. Snakes can be found in a wide range of habitats such as lakes and streams, marshes, old pastures and fields, as well as forests and even urban environments.

Interesting Facts

  • The Gray (Black) Rat Snake is Michigan’s largest snake species. These snakes can reach sizes over 8 feet.
  • Despite the Eastern Fox Snake's habit of buzzing its tail when threatened, it is harmless to humans and could in fact be considered a friend to farmers and homeowners, as it is a prolific rodent-eater.
  • The Eastern Hognose Snake is the most dramatic of Michigan’s snake species. When threatened they will begin one of the best acting performances of any snake. They will flatten their heads and hiss, often being mistaken for a cobra or puff adder (which do not occur in Michigan). If this doesn’t work, they will then roll over and curl up with their mouths open to “play dead.” Finally, they will defecate all over themselves in a last attempt to escape a predator.
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Common Name

Crayfish Snakes

Scientific Name

Regina
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Common Name

Green Snakes

Scientific Name

Opheodrys
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Common Name

Kirtland's Snakes

Scientific Name

Clonophis
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Common Name

Massasaugas

Scientific Name

Sistrurus
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Common Name

Milksnakes

Scientific Name

Lampropeltis
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Common Name

North American Brownsnakes

Scientific Name

Storeria
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Common Name

North American Hog-nosed Snakes

Scientific Name

Heterodon
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Common Name

North American Racers

Scientific Name

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Common Name

North American Ratsnakes

Scientific Name

Pantherophis
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Common Name

North American Water Snakes

Scientific Name

Nerodia
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Common Name

Ring-necked Snakes

Scientific Name

Diadophis
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Common Name

Thamnophis

Scientific Name

Thamnophis
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Turtles

Turtles and tortoises, collectively referred to as chelonians, represent an order of reptiles that have remained largely unchanged for the past 250 million years. Chelonians are characterized by their tough shells which are divided by an upper and lower half called the carapace and plastron, respectively. The shells of chelonians are comprised of scutes made up of keratin, the same material found in hair and nails. The turtle's shell is part of their skeletal structure and can be used as a defense against predators. Some species can even live to be over 100 years old. There are over 350 species of turtles and tortoises worldwide with 10 species native to Michigan. Michigan is home to one of the largest turtle species (Spiny Softshell Turtle) and one of the smallest species (Spotted Turtle) found in the United States. Turtles within Michigan typically are found in a variety of aquatic environments, while some, such as the Eastern Box Turtle, also are at home in upland terrestrial habitats.

Interesting Facts

  • The Eastern Box Turtle is the longest-lived reptile in Michigan, some surviving over 100 years in the wild.
  • Map turtles are given their names because of the unique patterns that cover their shell and skin, which resemble a road map.
  • Painted Turtles communicate with each other using eye-rolling, vibrations, touches, and displays.
  • Musk Turtles, also called “stinkpots,” can secrete a musky scent from glands on their carapace when they are disturbed or threatened.
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Common Name

American Box Turtles

Scientific Name

Terrapene
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Common Name

Blanding's Turtles

Scientific Name

Emydoidea
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Common Name

Cooters

Scientific Name

Pseudemys
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Common Name

Map Turtles

Scientific Name

Graptemys
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Common Name

Musk Turtles

Scientific Name

Sternotherus
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Common Name

North American Softshells

Scientific Name

Apalone
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Common Name

Painted Turtles

Scientific Name

Chrysemys
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Common Name

Sculpted Turtles

Scientific Name

Glyptemys
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Common Name

Sliders

Scientific Name

Trachemys
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Common Name

Snapping Turtles

Scientific Name

Chelydra
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Common Name

Spotted Turtles

Scientific Name

Clemmys