Eleven Months of Northern Ohio Herps in 2021 (Part 4)

A young American Bullfrog that I found on August 16th. This species is rarely seen far from the water’s edge and are usually in the water. It resides in large bodies of quiet water; such as ponds, lakes, or backwaters of streams.

A Wood Frog found on the same day as the Bullfrog - these woodland amphibians blend in well with fallen forest leaves.

My only Pickerel Frog of the year. In case of attack, Pickerel Frogs have an interesting defense mechanism: they emit skin secretions which are irritating to people and toxic to some predators. This toxicity makes the Pickerel Frog the only poisonous frog native to the United States.

A Common Snapping Turtle in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on August 20th.

A Green Heron hanging out with Midland Painted Turtles, also on August 20th.

An Eastern Milk Snake found on September 2nd. Milk snakes get their name because “back in the day” they would often be seen hanging around barns. When farmers had low milk production from their cows, they accused the snakes of drinking milk right from the cows’ udders!

A Ravine Salamander, also found on September 2nd.

It was a good day for herping, we also found this Eastern Garter Snake.

And my only Ohio Slimy Salamander of the year. This amphibian might be better named if it were called the “Sticky Salamander,” because it secretes a glue-like substance from its skin when threatened.

Northern Ringneck Snakes need some degree of moisture to find their favorite food items: worms, slugs and salamanders.

A handful of Red-spotted Newts on September 2nd.

A neat looking Eastern Garter Snake that we found later that night.

I found this awesome Mudpuppy on September 5th.

A mid-September Melanistic Red-ear Slider.

A late September non-native Red-bellied Turtle in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

I saw this American Bullfrog on October 20th.

It wasn't a bad day at all for herping - I also observed this Common Snapping Turtle.

A somewhat colorful Eastern Garter Snake.

A Green Frog eating a dragonfly in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on October 20th.

I saw this Midland Painted Turtle/American Bullfrog on the same day as the Green Frog.

A Melanistic Red-ear Slider on November 3rd.

I also saw this Midland Painted Turtle that same day.

A backyard Northern Two-lined Salamander that I found on November 17th.

And a Redback Salamander that I found on the same day as well.

A Midland Painted Turtle (and its reflection) in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on December 2nd.

I found this backyard Green Frog on December 10th.

My final herp find of 2021 was this Northern Two-lined Salamander in the Cleveland Metroparks on December 16th.