FRogs/Toads
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American Toad, Bufo americanus
The American Toad is one of the two species of true toad found in Kentucky. Their skin is rougher than that of a Spadefoot and their eyes have horizontal pupils. Bufos have a double spade on the bottom of their hind feet, an adaptation for digging into the soil to burry themselves. In the shoulder region is a pair of large parotoid glands which secrete a poisonous, noxious product if roughly handled. The prolonged (6-30 seconds) musical trill of the American Toad, can be heard throughout Kentucky in the early spring and summer. The American Toad is the largest toad in Kentucky ranging from 3 to 4 and a half inches in length, and can be distinguished by possessing only one or two "warts" in each spot and the parotoid gland being separate (or connected by a narrow spur) from the ridge behind the eye. The males call from the edges of shallow ponds, road ruts, surface mine ponds and road side ditches. |
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Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana
The largest frog in Kentucky is the Bullfrog. This highly aquatic frog measures 6 to 8 inches in length and is found throughout the state. Its long breeding season extends from spring to late summer. Eggs are released in a thin film on the surface of the water. Spawning takes place in permanent bodies of water and the tadpoles overwinter one or more years before reaching maturity. The Bullfrog has a deep resounding call that easily distinguishable from all other frogs. Nocturnal predators, they will ambush and eat just about anything they can fit in their ample mouths, including insects, mice, fish, birds, and snakes. They sit quietly and wait for prey to pass by, then lunge with their powerful hind legs, mouths open wide. Males are highly territorial and will aggressively guard their land. Females are slightly larger than males. |
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Cope's Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis
The two gray tree frogs found in Kentucky are identical in appearance and in many cases cannot be told apart except for their calls. Cope's Gray Treefrog, occurs statewide and its harsh musical call, a fast, high-pitched trill can be heard from the spring to late summer. The speed of the trill is slowed in cold weather. Males typically call from the tree canopy, but during the breeding season, males will venture down to call from the edge of ponds and other wetlands. Cope's Gray Treefrog ranges from 2 to 2 and a half inches in length. Females lay their eggs in small packets of floating film on the surface of the water. |
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Cricket Frog, Acris crepitans
The cricket frog, is a tiny, warty, non-climbing tree frog ranging from 1 to 1 and a half inches in length. It is abundant along the marshy borders of streams and ponds. The cricket frog is found throughout Kentucky, west of the Cumberland plateau, with scattered records in the Bluegrass region. The call sounds like clicking rocks together. The breeding begins in early summer and continues into the fall |
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Eastern Spadefoot, Scaphiopus holbrookii
The Eastern Spadefoot, Scaphiopus holbrookii, has large eyes with vertical pupils and a single small, black, sharp-edged spade on each hind foot. Using its spade, the Spadefoot can burrow deeply into loose soils. Somewhat smaller than the adult American and Fowler's Toads, the Spadefoot measures 2 to 3 inches in length. This species is poorly documented in Kentucky, however, Spadefoots have been reported from the Cumberland Plateau to the Jackson Purchase, but have not been found in the Western Coalfields or the Bluegrass. Warm heavy rains accompanied by loud thunder in spring and early summer often entice these frogs out of their hiding places in large numbers to breed. Breeding dates in Kentucky have ranged from February to October. Calling males congregate in large numbers in road ruts, seasonal and permanent ponds and flooded fields. The call is a low-pitched grunt, short in duration, often repeated, and has been described as the call of a young crow. |
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Fowler's
Toad, Bufo fowleri /
(Anaxyrus fowleri)
Another species that occurs statewide is the Fowler's Toad, Bufo fowleri. This species closely resembles the American Toad in appearance, but breeds later in the summer, and its call is distinctive. Physically, Fowler's Toads can be distinguished from the American Toad by their 3 or more warts on the large spots on their back, their unspotted chest and belly, and their parotoid gland which touches the cranial ridge behind the eye. The short (1-4 seconds), unmusical wailing call of the Fowler's toad is a familiar evening sound along the shore of Kentucky's lakes and rivers |
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Green Frog, Rana clamitans / (Lithobates clamitans)
The Green Frog, Rana clamitans, is a highly aquatic frog and is one of the most common frogs in Kentucky. It is a large frog measuring from 3 to 4 inches in length. Along with the Bullfrog, it is often observed to inhabit farm ponds, but is easily distinguished from the Bullfrog by two dorsolateral ridges that run the length of the Green Frog's back and the raised center of the tympanum. Both the Green Frog and the Bullfrog have long breeding seasons and can be heard calling throughout most of the summer. In addition to farm ponds, the green frog also inhabits sluggish streams and swamps throughout Kentucky. The call of the green frog sounds like someone plun king the strings of a loosely strung banjo, usually repeated 3 or 4 times. |
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Pickerel Frog, Rana palustris / (Lithobates palustris)
The Pickerel Frog, Rana palustris, closely resembles the leopard frogs. Like the Leopard Frog, the Pickerel Frog is a medium sized frog that ranges from 3 to 3 and a half inches in length, however, the Pickerel Frog has squarish/rectangular spots (usually in two parallel rows) on its back and bright yellow to orange pigmentation beneath their hind legs. It calls from the cover of vegetation along the edge of ponds and swamps. Males begin calling in early spring and continue until late summer. The call is a low pitched snore, lasting only 1-2 seconds and has little carrying power. This species is known throughout Kentucky, with the exception of the Jackson Purchase and western coal fields. |
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Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer
The Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer, is the most broadly distributed chorus frog in the state of Kentucky. This is a small frog ranging from 1 to 1 and a half inches in length, and can be distinguished by its dark X-shaped marking on its back. Although the spring peeper is one of Kentucky's most diminutive frogs, its breeding chorus can be deafening ! From a distance, its chorus has been described as sounding like sleigh bells. Its call is a tell-tale sign that spring has arrived. The plaintive high pitched chirping call of the peeper is heard from early spring into late summer, and sometimes in early fall. The spring peeper is a frog of the woodlands, calling from small temporary or semipermanent ponds or swamps, especially if trees or shrubs are standing in the water |
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Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris feriarum
The upland chorus frog, Pseudacris feriarum, is small, secretive and seldom seen outside the breeding season. General coloration is brown/gray and the pattern is highly variable. They can be identified by the light line along the upper lip and a dark stripe from snout to groin that runs through the eye. Males typically call from clumps of vegetation in the shallow water of marshes and wet fields or wet open woodlands. The upland chorus frog is the earliest frog heard calling in the State of Kentucky. Predominantly found in south central and western Kentucky, this small frog ranging from an inch to an inch and a half in length, has a call that resembles the sound of a fingernail running along the teeth of a plastic comb (also described as crreeek or prreeek). They remain well hidden in grass, at the edge of road ruts, meadows while calling, making them difficult to find. The breeding season begins as early as January and is usually complete by late April. They sometimes call in the fall and early winter during warm and wet weather. |
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Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica / (Lithobates sylvaticus)
The Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica, is a medium sized frog ( 1.5 to 3 inches ), and is distinguished by its dark mask that extends through the eye. Body coloration ranges from pink to tan to bronze or medium brown. The Wood Frog is greatly dependent on forested habitat. It predominantly occurs in eastern Kentucky with scattered records known westward to Christian and Caldwell Counties. These frogs overwinter terrestrially buried in leaf litter in wooded areas and can tolerate extremely cold temperatures. Wood Frogs can actually freeze solid during cold snaps and subsequently thaw out and become active. They breed as early as January before ice has completely melted off ponds and are usually finished before mid-April. Breeding takes place in a variety of habitats including road ruts, ditches, seasonal ponds, woodland ponds and surface mine impoundments. Wood Frogs often call in the daylight hours on warm sunny afternoons when the ice is melted from woodland ponds. From a distance their calls may sound like squabbling ducks. |
SNAKES
Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigra)
Description: Adults can reach 3 to 4' in length. A black snake with small white or yellow spots that are typically concentrated on the head and sides of the body. On young snakes, these spots “connect” forming a chain-like pattern down the back. Occasionally, this pattern is faintly visible on adults. The belly is black and white checkered. Notes: Kingsnakes truly are king among snakes in that a common food item is other snakes, including venomous ones. Kingsnakes are apparently immune to the venom of Kentucky’s pit vipers. Occurs in a variety of habitats but often found near water. When cornered will vibrate tail, hiss, and strike. Diet: Eats snakes, lizards, mice, birds, and eggs. |
Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Description: Average adult size 36-60”. This is a long, slender, black (sometimes bluish-gray) snake with a white chin. The belly is uniformly gray to black. The young look much different appearing grayish with dark blotches down the back. These blotches are less distinct or more likely absent from the tail. Notes: As their name implies, racers are usually quick to flee at the first hint of danger, and like the rat snake, they are good climbers. However, if cornered, a racer may rapidly vibrate it tail and strike aggressively. Unlike many other snakes, racers actively hunt during daylight hours. Contrary to its scientific name, the racer is not a constrictor. Instead, it grabs its prey and quickly pins it to the ground until it stops struggling. Racers mate in the spring, and females lay up to 36 eggs in early summer. Eggs hatch in late summer or early fall. Diet: Rodents, small birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects. |
Brown Snake (Storeria
dekayi)
Description: Small snake. Adults typically 9 to 13" in length. Vriable color and pattern from plain brown to gray, dark brown or reddish brown. Some have dark head. Look for double row of small dark spots around a light central stripe. There is a dark, downward streak on the side of the head behind the eye. Young brown snakes possess a yellowish collar that superficially resembles a ring neck snake. Notes: Lives under logs, boards, litter and moist forest habitats.Diet: Eats earthworms and slugs |
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Description: Average length of adult copperheads is 30 inches. In Kentucky, the copperhead can vary in general coloration from reddish brown (coppery-red) to brown, which is similar to several of the common harmless species. However, a good identifying characteristic for copperheads is the chestnut cross bands that are wide on the side of the body and narrower across the back. These bands are often described as having an hour glass or bow tie shape when viewed from above. Some of the bands may be “broken” or incomplete along the middle of the back and do not form a perfect hour glass shape. These partial or incomplete bands will still be wider on the sides of the body, narrowing in the middle of the back. Small dark spots are often present on the body between the cross bands. Young copperheads are similar to the adults with the exception of a yellow or greenish-yellow tail tip that they use as a lure to attract small frogs and insects within striking distance. This tail coloration will gradually disappear with age. Diet: mice and other small mammals but will also take frogs, lizards, insects, and the occasional small bird. |
Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae)
Description: Adults range from 7 to 10" in length. This is a small, brown to gray snake. It is usually unmarked but there may be a faint, light line down the middle of the back. The belly is yellowish to white in color. Notes: The smooth earth snake is a secretive snake that is most commonly found after heavy rains. T other times, it may be found under rocks, logs, or debris. Diet: earthworms, slugs, and other solft-bodied items. |
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Description: Adults reach 1 1/2 to 2' in length, Normally, a relatively small snake with three yellow stripes down its back, but the stripes can vary in color. Occasionally, the stripes may be virtually absent and replaced with dark spots occurring more or less in rows down the back. The belly is greenish or yellow, often with two rows of dark spots. Notes: This is a common species in Kentucky that can be found in urban areas. Although harmless, it may sometimes bite if picked up and/or release a smelly musk that some people may find offensive. Diet: Eats earthworms, frogs, toads, salamanders. |
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon playrhinos)
Description: Color may vary from solid black to mottled brown and black. Stout bodied snake reaching 2' as an adult. Nose is slightly pointed and upturned. Usually three rows of spots with alternating light and dark spots. The overall coloration of this snake varies from yellowish or greenish with dark blotches down its back, or it can be all black. As its name suggests, it has a unique upturned snout (like a pig). Notes: Its behavior is also a good identifying characteristic. When feeling threatened, it will flatten its head and neck and hiss loudly. If that doesn’t work, it may roll over and play dead .This snake’s scientific name Heterodon means different tooth, referring to enlarged teeth found in the back of the snake’s mouth. A favorite food item of hognose snakes is toads, which commonly puff themselves up with air making them appear too large to swallow. However, hognose snakes get around this tactic by using their specialized teeth to pop the air out of toads just like a balloon. Diet: Toads and occasionally a frog. |
Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus)
Description: Slender snake reaching 3' in length. This animal is a very slim, ribbon-like snake with an exceptionally long tail. Three yellow or orange stripes extend down the length of the body. Notes: Ribbon snakes are found along the edges of streams and swamps where they hunt for frogs and salamanders. Diet: Eats salamanders, frogs, toads, small fish. |
Milk Snake (lampropeltis triangulum)
Description: Adults can reach 2 to 3’ in length. This is a light gray to brown snake with brown or red blackedged blotches (saddles) down its back. Occasionally, a row of smaller blotches will be present down each side of the body. The belly is checkered with black on white. Notes: This snake’s common name comes from the myth that it will suck milk from cows. However, milk snakes are incapable of achieving such a feat. Its occasional presence in barns is more likely due to an abundance of mice, which is its primary prey item. Diet: Eats rodents, birds, lizards and snakes. |
Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
Description: Adults reach 12" in length. Color varies from brown to rust or gray on top. Look closely for light spots or a center patch on the neck and a lighter stripe down the back. Notes: Usually found under logs, boards, or other debris. Diet: Eats earthworms, slugs, and other invertebrates. |
Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)
Description: Average length 9 - 42” A tan to brownish-gray snake with large darker blotches (saddles) own its back. These blotches usually have a black border. A row of smaller alternating blotches are typically present down each side of the body. It has a brown (yellowish) checkered belly. Notes: As its name implies, this species can be found in and around grassland areas and open woods where it feeds on rodents, birds, and other reptiles. Diet: Eats rodents, frogs, birds, lizards, and snakes |
Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)
Description: Adults usually up to 2' in length. This is a brown, unmarked snake except for a yellowish stripe on the lower sides of the body. The belly is pale yellowish with four dark stripes. Notes: This snake is most commonly associated with small streams. Often found in branches overhanging streams. Queen snakes are harmless, but they emit a foul smelling musk when handled. Diet: Loves crayfish and usually found near water or other wet areas where crayfish are abundant. |
Rat Snake (Elaphe obsolete)
Description: Adults can reach 6' in length. The black rat snake is one of Kentucky’s largest snakes. A large shiny brown to black (sometimes grayish) snake with occasional cream or yellowish coloring “between” its scales. These light areas are most visible when the snake is extended. The belly coloration is light, usually with some indications of black and white checkering. The young are grayish with darker blotches (saddles) down the back clearly extending onto the tail. Notes: Rat snakes are good climbers and can often be seen on tree limbs or barn rafters. It is a beneficial species to have around the barnyard where it will feed on mice and rats, which it kills by constriction. Diet: rodents, birds and bird eggs, lizards |
Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
Description: Average adult size is 8-12 inches. Adults are small and slender-bodied with black body and yellow,cream, or orange rind across the neck. The belly is bright yellow, orange, or red with a single row of half-moon spots down the center.The scales are smooth, and there are 15-17 dorsal rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Notes: It is harmless and rarely bites when handled. During the summer usually 4-8 whitish eggs are laid in moist areas such as underneath or inside rotting logs. Sometimes a communal nest site may be used by several different females. Newborns are 3-4 inches. The ringneck can be found under rocks, logs, and other debris. Not often seen above ground. Diet: Salamanders, earthworms, slugs, small reptiles, and amphibians. |
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Description: Adult reach 2 to 3’ in length. Perhaps the easiest snake in Kentucky to identify, it is a slender, unmarked green snake with a white belly. Recently killed individuals may appear blue. Usually found in trees or bushes this snake feeds on spiders and insects. It will sometimes bend and wave to imitate a branch moving in the wind. Notes: Likes thickets and brush and can be found climbing around branches. Diet: Spiders, Caterpillars, Crickets, and other insects |
Timber Rattlesnake (crotalus horridus)
Description: Large, heavy bodied snakes with the characteristic rattles on the end of the tail. Adults range from 30-60 in . Timber rattlers are typically more brown or yellowish and may even be black. Both forms have solid black tails that appear almost velvet and black chevrons on the back and sides with the point of the (V) pointing forward. The babies are miniatures of the adults but are usually a lighter gray and have only a single button (rattle) on the tip of the tail at birth. Males get larger than females. Notes: Timber rattlesnakes become active above ground by late spring and can be seen periodically until the onset of cold weather. Timber rattlers congregate in dens hibernating during cold weather. Females usually do not reach maturity until at least 5 years old and typically wait at least 2 or 3 years between litters. The live young are born in late summer or early fall around the time that courtship and mating occurs. Most individuals are docile when encountered in the wild and often will remain coiled or stretched out without moving. If threatened, however, they will not hesitate to deliver a serious bite. Diet: Small Rodents, Squirrels and Rabbits. |
spider
American House Spider
Size: About the size of a U.S. nickel, with legs outstretched. Color: Brown and tan highlighted with dark brown patterns Features: Spherical abdomen; almost always encountered in its compact, messy cobweb Notes: The American House Spider is one of the most commonly encountered spiders in Kentucky and is found in many homes and buildings. Because it is brown in color, American house spiders are often mistaken for brown recluses. Unlike brown recluses, though, house spiders are almost never found outside of their webs. Like most Kentucky spiders, the bites of house spiders are harmless except to allergic individuals. The American House Spider is a type of cobweb spider. |
Black Widow
Size: Adult female is about 1/2 inch long. Color: Adult females are glossy black with a variable number of red markings on the top and bottom of abdomen. Adults males are similar, but with a few white markings. Juveniles are highly variable. Features: Abdomen is nearly spherical on adult females and juveniles. Male is slimmer with longer legs (pictured here). Notes: Bites are very serious and require immediate medical attention, but the spider is timid and unlikely to bite unless handled. Black widows are common all over Kentucky. They tend to occur in concealed outdoor locations: piles of rocks, piles of firewood, and dark corners of garages and out-buildings. Females are common; males are very rarely encountered. |
Brown Recluse
Size: About the size of a U.S. quarter, with legs outstretched. Color: Tan to dark brown, abdomen and legs are uniformly colored with no stripes, bands, or mottling. The legs are long and thin and lack conspicuous spines. Features: Dark violin-shaped mark on back, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear (abdomen) of the spider. This feature is consistent in adult brown recluses, but can be hard to see and is less obvious in younger spiders. Also, brown recluses only have six eyes: most Kentucky spiders have eight. Notes: Bites are very serious and require immediate medical attention, but brown recluses are timid and unlikely to bite unless handled. These spiders are more common in Western KY, less common in Central and Southeastern KY. They tend to occur in hidden locations indoors and outdoors: piles of cardboard or paper, stacks of cut wood, and wall-voids of buildings. |
Cellar Spider
Size: About the size of a U.S. half-dollar, with legs outstretched. Color: Light tan or gray with darker contrasting markings. Features: Small, thin body with long, thin legs; almost always encountered in its messy cobweb. Notes: Cellar spiders are among the most commonly encountered spiders in Kentucky and they are found in many homes and buildings. Because it is brownish in color, cellar spiders are often mistaken for brown recluses, but cellar spiders have much longer and thinner legs than brown recluses. Like most Kentucky spiders, the bites of cellar spiders are harmless except to allergic individuals. Cellar spiders are sometimes called "daddy-long-legs" or "granddaddy-long-legs," but they are not closely related to harvestmen (which are not true spiders), which are also known as daddy-long-legs. |
Fishing Spider
Size: A little larger than a U.S. silver dollar, with legs outstretched. Color: Brown with contrasting, darker brown patterns. Features: Very large brown spiders; sometimes seen running on the ground or sitting motionless on tree trunks. Notes: Fishing spiders are common near streams and wooded areas in Kentucky, and they sometimes wander into nearby homes. They are among the largest spiders in our state, but they are not considered dangerous. Like most Kentucky spiders, the bites of fishing spiders are harmless except to allergic individuals. They are sometimes mistaken for brown recluse spiders, but adult brown recluses are smaller and lack the fishing spider's distinct dark brown patterning. |
Grass Spider
Size: About the size of a U.S. quarter, with legs outstretched. Color: Brown with prominent longitudinal gray or tan stripes. Features: Prominent hind spinnerets: these are two, small, finger-like projections on the end of the grass spider's abdomen (used to spin the web). Many other spiders have spinnerets, but they are very large and distinctive in grass spiders. Notes: Grass spiders are very common in Kentucky lawns where they build large, funnel-shaped webs. They also occasionally wander into homes. Because they are brown and of a similar size, grass spiders are often mistaken for brown recluses. Like most Kentucky spiders, though, the bites of grass spiders are harmless except to allergic individuals. |
Jumping Spiders
Size: Typical jumping spiders are about the size of a U.S. dime, with legs outstretched. Color: There are many species of jumping spiders in Kentucky. Many are gray or black, while some are vividly colored. Features: Jumping spiders have distinctive, large eyes and a "flat faced" look. They are characterized by quick, herky-jerky motions and they do not build webs. Notes: Jumping spiders are common on the outsides of homes and buildings and they often wander into homes. Because some are brown in color, jumping spiders are sometimes mistaken for brown recluses. Like most Kentucky spiders, though, the bites of jumping spiders are harmless except to allergic individuals |
Yellow Sac Spider
Size: About the size of a U.S. nickel, with legs outstretched. Color: Tan legs and head, yellow abdomen Features: Low, flat spider; does not build a web Notes: The yellow sac spider is commonly found in homes and it is often mistaken for the brown recluse because it is similar in shape, but the yellow sac spider lacks the "fiddle" pattern of the brown recluse. Also, the sac spider has eight eyes instead of six. The bite of a yellow sac spider can be painful, but it is not medically significant except to allergic individuals. |