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AMPHIBIA

Date List Last Updated: April, 2009

CAUDATA: Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)
Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution
Jefferson Salamander *	Ambystoma jeffersonianum	Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and western Worcester counties. Listed as "Special Concern".
Blue-spotted Salamander *	Ambystoma laterale	Reported from Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and eastern Worcester counties. Records of specimens west of Worcester County may represent Ambystoma jeffersonianum and other members of this species complex. Listed as Special Concern
Spotted Salamander	Ambystoma maculatum	Statewide except Martha's Vineyard Island.
Marbled Salamander *	Ambystoma opacum	Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties. There are old records for Essex and Plymouth counties. Listed as Threatened.

NOTE: Polyploid "species" formerly described as "Tremblay's Salamander (Ambystoma tremblayi) and "Silvery Salamander" (Ambystoma platineum) are now considered to be genetic variants of the Jefferson/Blue-spotted salamander complex, containing 2-4 sets of chromosomes.

REPTILIA

Emydidae (Pond Turtles)
Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution
Painted Turtle	Chrysemys picta	Statewide.
Spotted Turtle	Clemmys guttata	Statewide except northern Berkshire County and possibly Suffolk County.
Wood Turtle *	Gleptemys insculpta	Statewide north and west of northern Bristol and Plymouth counties. Reports from Barnstable County probably reflect released animals. Listed as Special Concern.
Bog Turtle *	Gleptemys muhlenbergii	Recorded from Berkshire County only. Listed as Endangered in MA and Threatened on U.S.F.W.S. list.
Blanding's Turtle *	Emydoidea blandingii	Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties. Older records exist for Franklin County. Listed as Threatened.
Diamond-backed Terrapin *	Malaclemmys terrapin	Coastal areas of Barnstable, Bristol, and Plymouth counties. Introductions of terrapins from extralimital sources occurred on at least 2 occasions. Listed as Threatened.
Northern Redbellied Cooter *	Pseudemys rubriventris	Formerly listed as "Plymouth Redbelly Turtle" (Pseudemys rubriventris bangsii). Recorded from Plymouth County. Listed as "Endangered" by Massachusetts and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Eastern Box Turtle *	Terrapene carolina	Nearly statewide. Listed as "Special Concern".

SERPENTES: Colubridae (Harmless Snakes)
Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution
Eastern Wormsnake *	Carphophis amoenus	Recorded from Connecticut River valley in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Listed as Threatened.
North American Racer	Coluber constrictor	Statewide except Nantucket County. Local subspecies known as "Black Racer"
Ring-necked Snake	Diadophis punctatus	Statewide
Eastern Ratsnake *	Pantherophis allegheniensis	Recorded from Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties. Local subspecies called "Black Rat Snake". Listed as Endangered.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake	Heterodon platirhinos	Known from Barnstable, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.
Milksnake	Lampropeltis triangulum	Statewide.
Northern Watersnake	Nerodia sipedon	Statewide except Dukes County.
Smooth Greensnake	Opheodrys vernalis	Statewide.
DeKay's Brownsnake	Storeria dekayi	Statewide except Martha's Vineyard Island and Nantucket County.
Red-bellied Snake	Storeria occipitomaculata	Statewide except Nantucket County.
Eastern Ribbonsnake	Thamnophis sauritus	Statewide.
Common Gartersnake	Thamnophis sirtalis	Statewide.

SQUAMATA: Viperidae (Vipers and Pit Vipers)
Common Name	Scientific Name	Distribution
Copperhead *	Agkistrodon contortrix	At present, found only in Hampden and Norfolk counties. Listed as Endangered.
Timber Rattlesnake *	Crotalus horridus	At present, found only in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Norfolk counties. Listed as Endangered.

STATE HERP LIST INFORMATION & HISTORY

It is hoped that this list of the Commonwealth's reptiles and amphibians will continue to serve not only as a useful reference, but will also inspire interest in these unique-- often beautiful-- animals, many populations of which are decreasing in number and range. These declines are due to many factors including loss of habitat to housing and highway development, road mortality, collection as pets, pollution and predation. Compounding the problem is the fact that reptiles and amphibians lack the mobility of birds and mammals. Geographic features and human-generated obstructions such as roads often present formidable or even insurmountable barriers to their dispersal or their return to areas from which they have been extirpated. Turtles, due to their extremely low reproductive rates, attraction to roadsides, and the propensity of people to capture and transport them, present a particularly difficult conservation challenge. Turtles are, in fact, the most threatened of the faunal groups in Massachusetts. Help them across roads if you can do so safely, but please do not transport them to new locations.

The public can add significantly to our knowledge of the range and distribution of our uncommon species by reporting sightings or road mortalities encountered in the field. The documentation of those listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern (see below) is particularly encouraged. A rare species report made by the public is often the first crucial step in ensuring the protection of the animal's habitat and the conservation of its population. If you encounter one of these rare animals, take a photograph if possible, note the date and exact location, and contact MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Section (508-389-6300 x200) to obtain a rare animal observation form. Locality information for such species remains confidential except for official purposes.

The first list of reptiles and amphibians of Massachusetts was prepared by D.S.C.H. Smith in 1835. Smith, who lumped amphibians and reptiles in the same class, listed 34 "species", including six which we now know did not occur in the state, three now regarded as variant names of other species, two of questionable identity, and one undescribed. The present list recognizes 51 species, including 21 amphibians and 30 reptiles. Of these, five are exclusively marine and one has been extirpated, leaving 47 inland species potentially present in the state. There are also 38 other species and subspecies which have occurred as escapes or have been illegally released (see Fauna Series #6). This includes the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) which has been documented as breeding in some areas of the state and the Braminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) which has been found at three sites in the North End of Boston since 1990.

State records are based on specimen or photographic evidence, including those reported in the technical literature or otherwise known to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The skink records are accepted without extant specimen evidence on the basis of identifiable descriptions by competent herpetologists. Distributional information, in most instances, is given by county or region, and is based on published records, specimen data, cooperator reports, and on files of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (including the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species data base). Distributional data are not necessarily definitive, however, and in many instances reflect the need for further investigations of certain species. Some species peripheral to Massachusetts may, upon further investigation, be found within the bounds of the state. For consistency, nomenclature follows Crother, B.I. et al. (Scientific and standard English names of amphibians, and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Soc. for the Study of Reptiles and Amphibians, Herp. Circular 29, 2000).

The taking, propagation, sale, and possession of reptiles and amphibians in Massachusetts is regulated under provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131. The taking and possession of native species from the wild is governed by M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, and 321 CMR 3.05. Possession, sale, and propagation of both native and exotic species is governed by M.G.L. c. 131, § 23, and 321 CMR 2.12 and 9.01. State-listed "rare" species are governed by provisions of c. 131A and 321 CMR 10.00. Strict penalties may be applied to violations. Questions may be addressed to MassWildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough 01581 or email: Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us Those species appearing on the current list of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species in Massachusetts as authorized by M.G.L. c. 131, § 4(13A) and c. 131A, § 4 are indicated with an asterisk (*) below.

A selected bibliography of Massachusetts and regional faunal lists dealing with reptiles and amphibians follows the species listing.

We thank T.W. French for his careful and constructive review of this publication.

STATE HERP LIST BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following bibliography contains all the regional, state, and local herpetofaunal lists known to us. It does not contain references which pertain to only a single species or to a small group of species. Some of the references listed contain errors and it would be wise to consult the original sources or specimens wherever possible. The historical references cited are not faunal lists but do have brief remarks on a few reptiles and amphibians. Faunal records for the period 1620-1840 are scanty, although sometimes records can be gleaned from town histories, diaries, and similar sources.

Historical:

• Josselyn, J. 1672. New-England's rarities discovered. G. Widdowes, London, 114pp. [Reprinted by W. Veazie, Boston, 1865]
• Josselyn, J. 1674. An account of two voyages to New England. G. Widdowes, London, 279pp. [Reprinted by W. Veazie, Boston, 1865]
• Morton, T. 1637. New English Canaan or New Canaan. J.F. Stam, Amsterdam, 188pp. [Microfilmed by University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Reel 967 of the series " English Books 1475-1640". Also reprinted in several published editions]
• Wood, W. 1634. New England's prospect. Tho. Cotes for J. Bellamie, London, 98pp. [Microfilmed by University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Reel 1162 of the series "English Books 1475-1640". Also reprinted in several published editions]

Regional:

• Babcock, H.L. 1919. The turtles of New England. Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural History 8(3):325-431. [Reprinted by Dover Publications, New York, 1971, as "Turtles of the Northeastern United States]
• Babcock, H.L. 1926. A time-table of New England frogs and toads. Bulletin of the Boston Society of Natural History 38:11-14.
• Babcock, H.L. 1929. The snakes of New England. Boston Society of Natural History, Boston, Natural History Guides No. 1, 30pp.
• Babcock, H.L. 1938. Field guide to New England turtles. New England Museum of Natural History, Boston, Natural History Guides No. 2, 56pp.
• DeGraaf, R.M. and D.D. Rudis 1981. Forest habitat for reptiles and amphibians of the Northeast. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station and Eastern Region, 239pp.
• DeGraaf, R.M. and D.D. Rudis. 1983. Amphibians and reptiles of New England: habitats and natural history. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, 83pp.
• De Sola, C.R. 1931. The turtles of the northeastern states. Bulletin of the New York Zoological Society 34(5):131-160.
• Dunn, E.R. 1930. The New England salamanders. Bulletin of the Boston Society of Natural History 57:23-32.
• Henshaw, S. 1904. Fauna of New England. 1. List of the Reptilia. Occasional Papers of the Boston Society of Natural History 7:1-12.
• Henshaw, S. 1904. Fauna of New England. 2. List of the Batrachia. Occasional Papers of the Boston Society of Natural History 7:1-10.
• Klemens, M.W. 1993. Amphibians and reptiles of Connecticut and adjacent regions. Connecticut State Geological & Natural History Survey Bulletin 112, 318pp.
• State:
• Allen, J.A. 1868. Catalogue of the reptiles and batrachians found in the vicinity of Springfield, Massachusetts, with notices of all the other species known to inhabit the state. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 12:171-204, 248-250.
• Allen, J.A. 1870. Notes on Massachusetts reptiles and batrachians. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 13:260-263.
• Babbitt, L.H. and T.E. Graham 1972. Snakes of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Wildlife 23(6):7-9, 14-19.
• Graham, T.E. 1970. Sportsman's guide to Massachusetts freshwater turtles. Massachusetts Wildlife 21(1):8-13.
• Graham, T.E. 1978. Frogs and toads. Part 2. Massachusetts Wildlife 29(6):12-19.
• Graham, T.E. 1978. Salamanders of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Wildlife 29(2):2-9, 15-16.
• Jackson, S. and P. Mirick. [1993]. Massachusetts snakes: a guide. University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 20pp.
• Lazell, J.D., Jr. 1972. Reptiles and amphibians in Massachusetts (2nd ed.) Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, 34pp.
• Smith, D.S.C.H. 1835. Reptilia, or reptiles. Pages 534-535 in E. Hitchcock. Report on the geology, mineralogy, botany, and zoology of Massachusetts. J.S. & C. Adams, Amherst, Mass., 702pp.
• Storer, D.H. 1840. A report on the reptiles of Massachusetts. Boston Journal of Natural History 3(1):1-64.
• Storer, D.H. and W.B.O. Peabody. 1839. Report on the ichthyology, herpetology and ornithology of Massachusetts. Published agreeably to an order of the Legislature, Dutton & Wentworth, Boston, 426pp.

Local:

• Anderson, K.S. n.d. Reptiles and amphibians. In Hockomock, wonder wetland. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, [34]pp.
• Dunn, E.R. 1930. Reptiles and amphibians of Northampton and vicinity. Bulletin of the Boston Society of Natural History 57:3-8.
• Greer, A.E., Jr., T.S. Doyle, and P. Arnold 1973. An annotated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Concord, Carlisle, and Bedford, Massachusetts. Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., Concord Field Station, Guide to Resources No. 4, 22pp.
• Lazell, J.D., Jr. 1976. This broken archipelago: Cape Cod and the islands, reptiles and amphibians. Quadrangle Press, New York Times Book Co., New York, 260pp.
• Marcussen, M.J. 1972. Reptiles and amphibians. Page 27 in The Great Woods. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, 31pp.
• Putnam, F.W. 1865. Statements concerning the frogs and toads found about Cambridge, Mass. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 9:229-230.
• Rickettson, O.G., Jr. 1911. A list of Reptilia collected at Concord, Massachusetts. Museum of Natural History, Middlesex School, Concord, Mass., Proceedings 1:11-13.