CERA has a modest diversity of amphibians and reptiles. The Western Chorus Frog is probably the most abundant amphibian based on their vocalizations in the spring in ephemeral pools near the North Skunk River. Although less often observed, reptile diversity is well-represented by garter snakes, fox snakes, brown snakes, and ring-neck snakes. Since 2008, lined snakes have also been observed consistently under coverboards near our experimental prairie plots.
Monitoring using Coverboards
Coverboard transects were established in different habitats in 2002. The boards are primarily checked in late May/early June into August each year by summer restoration students. After 10 years of checking the boards (July 2002 - July 2011), and over 1900 board lifts, we have observed 710 snakes representing 6 snake species, and one tiger salamander. Sixty-percent of the snakes observed have been ringnecks, 12% brown, 10% plains garter, 9% red-side garter, 4% garter spp., 2% fox, and 2% lined snakes. Bullsnakes have been rare near our Graham Lab, and smooth green snakes, though apparently observed near ant mounds in the past, have not been observed at CERA for over a decade (pre-2000).
Species Lists
- See list of reptiles and amphibians attached below
- Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians (PDF, Iowa Association of Naturalists/Iowa State University)
- Iowa Herpetology - This site provides photos and information on the status of the species in Iowa, description, subspecies, Iowa range maps, habitat, habits, and food.
- Iowa Threatened and Endangered Species
- Endangered Amphibians
- Blue-spotted Salamander- Ambystoma laterale
- Crawfish Frog- Rana areolata
- Endangered Reptiles
- Yellow Mud Turtle- Kinosternon flavescens
- Wood Turtle- Clemmys insculpta
- Great Plains Skink- Eumeces obsoletus
- Copperbelly Water Snake-Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta
- Western Hognose Snake- Heterdon nasicus
- Copperhead- Agkistrodon contortrix
- Prairie Rattlesnake- Crotalus viridis
- Massasauga Rattlesnake- Sistrurus catenatus
- Threatened Amphibians
- Mudpuppy- Necturus maculosus
- Central Newt- Notophthalmus viridenscens
- Threatened Reptiles
- Slender Glass Lizard- Ophisaurus attenautus
- Common Musk Turtle- Sternotherus odoratus
- Blanding's Turtle- Emydoidea blandingii
- Ornate Box Turtle- Terrapene ornata
- Diamondback Water Snake- Nerodia rhombifera
- Western Worm Snake- Carphophis amoenus vermis
- Speckled Kingsnake- Lampropeltis getulus
- Endangered Amphibians
Amphibian Field Guide
Amphibian and Reptile Observational Dataset for CERA
Years: 2001-present Data per observation: Date, location, species, number of individuals, other notes, observer(s) Availability: Excel file from the CERA Manager
