Twelve Months of Northern Ohio Herps in 2025 (Part 5)

Herp habitat in northeast Ohio.

A Blanding's Turtle covered in duckweed. This reptile's yellow chin is a key identification feature in the field.

Non-native River Cooters in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on September 11th. This is a large riverine freshwater turtle reaching a maximum carapace length of 16-1/2 inches.

This Red-ear Slider was out basking as well. Sliders get their name from dropping into the water when approached too closely.

Mating Eastern Garter Snakes basking beside a hiking trail on September 19th.

I found this Ravine Salamander in Medina County on September 21st.

Two amphibians that I commonly see in October are Redback Salamanders and Two-lined Salamanders. I found this Redback on October 8th.

And this Two-lined Salamander on October 15th.

Some cool herps were found on October 26th. This duckweed-covered Midland Painted Turtle was photographed in the Ohio & Erie Canal.

A young Wood Frog that was found at the edge of a creek. These frogs are easy to identify, due to their "robber's mask."

This Yellow-Bellied Slider was seen in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Although not a herp, this cool creature was seen on October 26th too - a Stonefly larva.

This backyard "piebald" Two-lined Salamander was found on November 3rd.

A Midland Painted Turtle catching some rays on November 6th.

I saw this Green Frog on the same day.

We started getting snow on Thanksgiving, but on December 1st I managed to find this Two-lined Salamander (note snow in the background).

And another Two-lined Salamander found two days before Christmas finished off my year of Ohio herping.