Reptiles and Amphibians
All the animals listed below are year round residents of the Discovery Center and they want you to stop in and say hello. Animal exhibits do change during the summer as we catch and release other varieties of Reptiles and Amphibians. Watch for programs like Critter Encounter, Happy Herps and our Hourly Encounters to meet them up close and personal.
Visitors can also adopt one of the animals to assist in the care and feeding of that animal and its habitat at the Discovery Center. The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers will collect donations and supplement the care and feeding through this and other fundraisers at the Discovery Center. Your generous donations feed and care for your animal for one month.
SALAMANDERS
Spotted Salamander
Ambystoma maculatum
This large salamander is very common, yet seldom seen. The spotted salamander spends most of its life underground. It emerges about once a year to breed. In the middle of March to the beginning of April, the first rainy nights of the spring draw thousands of spotted salamanders from underground. They can be seen all over the roadways, woods and fields looking for small pools of water in which to mate. After this short period, they return to their burrows for the rest of the year.
Spotted Salamander, Photo by Caroline Blizzard
Northern Red Salamander
Pseudotriton ruber ruber
This brilliantly colored salamander is common to the mountains of Western Maryland. It is found in clear, cool, rocky streams in woodlands. These salamanders are thought to mimic the toxic red eft stage of the red-spotted newt, hense their brightly colored appearance.
Northern Red Salamander, Photo by Caroline Blizzard
TURTLES
Common snapping turtleChelydra serpentina serpentina
This is the largest and one of the more common turtles in our region. An adult common snapping turtle can weigh well over fifty pounds. Common snapping turtles can become aggressive when they are harassed on land, but pose no threat to humans in water. When they are on land, leave them alone! They have a powerful bite.
Baby common snapping turtle compared to a quarter.
Photo by Caroline Blizzard
Common snapping turtle. Photo by Caroline Blizzard
Eastern painted turtle
Chrysemys picta picta
This colorful turtle is commonly found in Deep Creek Lake. The eastern painted
turtle is an aquatic turtle that can be seen basking on logs above the water’s surface. Sometimes over a dozen painted turtles can be seen basking on the same log. The eastern painted turtle depends on aquatic vegetation as habitat for its survival.
Eastern painted turtle. Photo by Caroline BlizzardRed-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegansThis turtle is found in the southern United States, but has been introduced to many other areas including Maryland. It is one of the most common pet turtles, easily found in pet shops. These turtles are hard to care for. Therefore, people release them in ponds and rivers around their home. These turtles adapt well to other climates, and out compete our native turtles for habitat.
Red-eared turtle. Photo by Caroline Blizzard
FROGS
Northern spring peeperPseudacris crucifer cruciferThis tiny frog is common all over the state. It can be heard in large choruses around almost any wetland throughout the spring. It is named after the loud peeping sound it makes when it calls. This frog is also part treefrog. After the breeding season, it can be heard calling in the tree canopy.
Northern spring peeper. Photo by Caroline Blizzard
Cope’s gray tree frog/ gray tree frogHyla chrysoscelis / Hyla versicolorThis small frog is one of the last frogs to come out of hibernation in the spring. The gray treefrog can be heard callin g in the late spring and early summer months around bodies of water. The call is a long rapid trill.
Cope's grey treefrog. Photo by Caroline Blizzard
SNAKES
Eastern hog-nosed snake
Heterodon platirhinosThis short stubby snake is common in Maryland with the exception of the western counties. When the hog-nosed snake is disturbed, it has the ability to roll on its back and play dead. The main part of the hog-nosed snake’s diet is toads, which it can deflate like a balloon with its powerful jaws.
Eastern hog-nosed snake. Photo by Caroline Blizzard Black rat snake
Elaphe obsoleta obsoletaThe black rat snake is the largest snake found in Maryland. It can reach lengths of over six feet. This snake can spend much of its life living in the crowns of trees. The black rat snake is an excellent source of pest control around your home. It is often found in and around houses and gardens. It poses no threat to humans, and gorges on mice and rats until they are gone.
Eastern hog-nosed snake. Photo by Caroline Blizzard
Eastern king snakeDescription and photo coming soon.