A Chronological Look Back at 12 Months of Herping Highlights in My Home State in 2019

The first herp of the year - a backyard Redback Salamander on an unseasonably warm January 7th.

This Midland Painted Turtle was seen on the following day, but then it got cold again and no more herps were seen until the following month.

In the afternoon on February 7th I saw this American Bullfrog in the Ohio & Erie Canal.

On the night of February 7th it rained and although an amphibian migration didn't take place, this Spring Peeper was seen crossing the road.

On March 14th this Midland Painted Turtle was seen basking In Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

ASpringtime brought out the first Spotted Salamanders, such as this one seen on March 21st.

I found my first snake of the year on March 28th - an Eastern Garter Snake.

Wood Frogs could be seen and heard calling in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on March 28th.

I saw my first Common Snapping Turtle of the year on April 23rd.

A handsome American Bullfrog seen on the same day as the Common Snapping Turtle.

April 23rd was a good day for herping, because I also found this DeKay's Brown Snake...

...and saw these basking Midland Painted Turtles.

Male Northern Water Snakes were out too, presumably looking for females.

An American Toad that I came across in early May.

On May 8th I found a couple of Eastern Garter Snakes going through their shed cycles.

A herp harbinger of Spring - the Spring Peeper.

An Eastern Milk Snake that I found in early May.

I came across a few examples of my favorite frog - Gray Treefrog.

A juvenile Northern Water Snake.

A hefty Spring Peeper.

DeKay's Brown Snakes are often mistaken for baby Garter Snakes.

A female American Bullfrog in seen in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

A slider with peeling scutes.