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Scioto
River
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P. O. Box 1501 |
| MISSION: To preserve and protect the Scioto River for future generations | ||
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Reptiles and AmphibiansOhio has a number of amphibians (salamanders and frogs) and reptiles (snakes and turtles). Turtles can be seen resting on logs and snakes skimming across the surface of the water. Frogs hide, but give away their presence with calls. Salamanders are secretive and you may not ever see them unless you turn over rocks or catch one while fishing. ReptilesTurtles, snakes and lizards are different from other vertebrates because they are clad in scales, shields or plates, and if they have toes - they bear claws. Unlike amphibians, their young have lungs and look like their parents. TurtlesTurtles are reptiles with sharp bony jaws, but no teeth. Snakes
AmphibiansSalamanders, frogs and toads as adults are different from most other vertebrates because they have moist glandular skin and four legs with clawless toes. Salamanders and frogs lay their eggs in the water. The young generally do not resemble the adults, and they have to transform from larvae into adults. SalamandersSalamanders are amphibians with tails. Twelve of Ohio's 24 salamander species
can be found in or along streams. The prehistoric-looking hellbender FrogsFrogs undergo marked changes as they transform from tadpoles into jumping
adults. Usually their gills turn into lungs, fins develop into legs, and diets
shift from plants to animals. Ohio has two common stream species - bull frogs
and green frogs. Both can be identified by their call and physical appearance.
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Eight
of Ohio's 11 turtle species inhabit streams. Stream turtles leave the water and
can travel long distances to lay and bury their eggs. Most aquatic turtles are
omnivorous and eat live or dead frogs, fish, salamanders, birds, mammals,
invertebrates and plants. Extreme caution should be used when handling all
turtles because they can seriously hurt you with their bite and sharp claws.
Snakes
are legless reptiles. Ohio has two stream species, both of which are not
venomous. The most common and longest (to 42 inches) is the Northern water
snake which is often misidentified as a water moccasin. Queen snakes are less
than 24 inches long and like water snakes will release a foul smelling scene
when threatened. Stream snakes primarily eat frogs, fish, salamanders, and
crayfish. Female water and queen snakes have litters of live young.
can exceed 24 inches in length and leaves its underwater hiding crevices only
at night to feed on crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. Mudpuppies, the
second largest aquatic species, retain external gills as adults. They prey on
fish, crayfish, mollusks, insects and worms. Dusky, two-lined, spring, and most
of the other salamanders that live in or along smaller streams are lungless and
usually less than five inches long.
Green
frogs are smaller than bullfrogs (usually two to three inches long) and have
dorsal ridges that extend straight back behind the eyes. Bullfrogs are usually
three to eight inches long and lack the ridges. Frogs are an important part of
the stream food chain. Tadpoles feed mainly on algae, but change to a
carnivorous diet as adults when they feed on insects, snails, worms, and
crayfish. Tadpoles and frogs are prey for turtles, snakes, fish, birds, and
mammals.
P. O. Box 1501