(3rd ed., 2000, Revised 2002)
James E. Cardoza & Peter G. Mirick, Massachusetts Division
of Fisheries and Wildlife
Fauna of Massachusetts Series No. 3
AMPHIBIA
Date List Last Updated: August
17, 2006
CAUDATA: Necturidae (Mudpuppies and Waterdogs)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Mudpuppy |
Necturus maculosus |
Introduced to the Connecticut River drainage
in Amherst some years prior to 1936. However, there are records
from the Conn. River in CT as early as 1875. The mudpuppy
is also reported from a few lakes in southern Berkshire County.
Mudpuppies do occur naturally in Lake Champlain in VT and
in the Hudson River, but were probably introduced to the western
Massachusetts locales. |
CAUDATA: Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Jefferson Salamander* |
Ambystoma jeffersonianum |
Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. Listed
as Special Concern. 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. |
| 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 and Nantucket
County. |
| Marbled Salamander* |
Ambystoma opacum |
Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties.
There are old records for Essex and Plymouth counties. Listed
as Threatened. |
Salamandridae (Newts)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Eastern Newt |
Notophthalmus viridescens |
Statewide except Nantucket County. |
Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamanders)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Northern Dusky Salamander |
Desmognathus fuscus |
Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket
Counties. |
| Eastern Red-backed Salamander |
Plethodon cinereus |
Statewide. |
| Four-toed Salamander* |
Hemidactylium scutatum |
Statewide except Nantucket and possibly Suffolk
counties. Listed as Special Concern. |
| Spring Salamander |
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus |
Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and
Worcester counties. |
| Northern Two-lined Salamander |
Eurycea bislineata |
Statewide except Dukes, Nantucket, and possibly
Barnstable counties. |
ANURA: Pelobatidae (Spadefoot Toads)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Eastern Spadefoot* |
Scaphiopus holbrookii |
Eastern Massachusetts and Connecticut River valley area.
Extirpated from Martha's Vineyard Island. Listed as Threatened. |
Bufonidae (True Toads)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| American Toad |
Bufo americanus |
Statewide except Nantucket County. |
| Fowler's Toad |
Bufo fowleri |
Statewide except probably extirpated from Nantucket County. |
Hylidae (True Tree Frogs)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Spring Peeper |
Pseudacris crucifer |
Statewide |
| Gray Treefrog |
Hyla versicolor |
Statewide except Martha's Vineyard Island and Nantucket
County. |
Ranidae (True Frogs)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| American Bullfrog |
Rana catesbeiana |
Statewide except Dukes County. Recently introduced to Nantucket
island and probably established there. |
| Green Frog |
Rana clamitans |
Statewide. |
| Pickerel Frog |
Rana palustris |
Statewide. |
| Northern Leopard Frog |
Rana pipiens |
Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket Counties.
Due to the widespread release of leopard frogs from extra-limital
sources, their original distribution and native status is
uncertain. |
| Wood Frog |
Rana sylvatica |
Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties. |
REPTILIA
TESTUDINES: Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Snapping Turtle |
Chelydra serpentina |
Statewide. |
Kinosternidae (American Mud and Musk Turtles)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Eastern musk turtle |
Sternotherus odoratus |
Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties. |
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
(1994) 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 two occasions. Listed as Threatened
.
|
| Northern Redbellied Cooter* |
Pseudemys rubriventris |
Formerly listed as "Plymouth Redbelly
Turtle" (Pseudemys rubriventris bangsi). Recorded
from Plymouth County. Listed as Endangered.
|
| Eastern Box Turtle* |
Terrapene carolina |
Statewide. Genetic identity disrupted by releases of
box turtles from extralimital sources. Listed as Special
Concern.
|
TESTUDINES: Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
|
Loggerhead Seaturtle*
|
Caretta caretta |
Recorded from coastal southeastern Massachusetts.
Listed as Threatened.
|
| Green Seaturtle* |
Chelonia mydas |
Uncommon vagrant from southern waters.
Recorded from coastal Barnstable County. Listed as Threatened.
|
| Hawksbill Seaturtle* |
Eretmochelys imbricata
|
Rare vagrant from southern waters. Recorded
from coastal Barnstable County in 1909, 1968, and 1989.
Listed as Endangered.
|
| Kemp's Ridley Seaturtle* |
Lepidochelys kempii
|
Recorded from coastal southeastern Massachusetts.
Listed as Endangered.
|
TESTUDINES: Dermochelyidae (Leatherback
Sea Turtle)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Leatherback Seaturtle* |
Dermochelys coriacea |
Recorded from coastal southeastern Massachusetts. Older
records from coastal Essex and Suffolk counties. Listed as
Endangered. |
LACERTILIA: Scincidae (Skinks)
|
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Distribution |
| Common Five-lined Skink |
Eumeces fasciatus |
Extirpated. Recorded from Worcester County prior to 1840
and Bristol County c. 1869. However, both the localities and
the habitat seem unusual for this lizard and the records are
puzzling. |
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. |
| Eastern Racer |
Coluber constrictor |
Statewide except Nantucket County. Local subspecies known
as "black racer" |
| Ringnecked Snake |
Diadophis punctatus |
Statewide |
| Eastern Ratsnake* |
Elaphe obsoleta |
Recorded from Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester
counties. Local subspecies called "black rat snake". Listed
as Endangered. |
| Eastern Hognosed Snake |
Heterodon platirhinos |
Probably statewide except Dukes and Nantucket 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. |
SERPENTES: 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]
- ______. 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. Mem. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist. 8(3):325-431. [Reprinted by Dover Publ., New
York, 1971, as "Turtles of the Northeastern United States]
- ______. 1926. A time-table of New England frogs and toads.
Bull. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 38:11-14.
- ______. 1929. The snakes of New England. Boston Soc. Nat.
Hist., Boston, Nat. Hist. Guides No. 1, 30pp.
- ______. 1938. Field guide to New England turtles. New Engl.
Mus. Nat. Hist., Boston, Nat. Hist. Guides No. 2, 56pp.
- DeGraaf, R.M. and D.D. Rudis 1981. Forest habitat for reptiles
and amphibians of the Northeast. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Northeastern
Forest Expt. Station and Eastern Region, 239pp.
- ______ and ______. 1983. Amphibians and reptiles of New England:
habitats and natural history. Univ. Mass. Press, Amherst, 83pp.
- De Sola, C.R. 1931. The turtles of the northeastern states.
Bull. N.Y. Zool. Soc. 34(5):131-160.
- Dunn, E.R. 1930. The New England salamanders. Bull. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist. 57:23-32.
- Henshaw, S. 1904. Fauna of New England. 1. List of the Reptilia.
Occ. Pap. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 7:1-12. ______. 1904. Fauna
of New England. 2. List of the Batrachia. Occ. Pap. Boston Soc.
Nat. Hist. 7:1-10.
- Klemens, M.W. 1993. Amphibians and reptiles of Connecticut
and adjacent regions. Conn. State Geol. Nat. Hist. Surv. Bull.
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. Proc. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist. 12:171-204, 248-250.
- ______. 1870. Notes on Massachusetts reptiles and batrachians.
Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 13:260-263.
- Babbitt, L.H. and T.E. Graham 1972. Snakes of Massachusetts.
Mass. Wildl. 23(6):7-9, 14-19.
- Graham, T.E. 1970. Sportsman's guide to Massachusetts freshwater
turtles. Mass. Wildl. 21(1):8-13.
- ______. 1978. Massachusetts frogs and toads. Part 1. Mass.
Wildl. 29(5):12-14.
- ______. 1978. Frogs and toads. Part 2. Mass. Wildl. 29(6):12-19.
- ______. 1978. Salamanders of Massachusetts. Mass. Wildl. 29(2):2-9,
15-16.
- Jackson, S. and P. Mirick. [1993]. Massachusetts snakes: a
guide. Univ. Mass. Coop. Ext. Serv. and Mass. Div. Fisheries
& Wildlife, 20pp.
- Lazell, J.D., Jr. 1972. Reptiles and amphibians in Massachusetts
(2nd ed.) Mass. Audubon Soc., 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 J. Nat. Hist.
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. Mass. Audubon Society, Lincoln, [34]pp.
- Dunn, E.R. 1930. Reptiles and amphibians of Northampton and
vicinity. Bull. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 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 Univ., Cambridge, Mass.,
Concord Field Sta., Guide to Res. 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. Mass. Audubon Society, Lincoln, 31pp.
- Putnam, F.W. 1865. Statements concerning the frogs and toads
found about Cambridge, Mass. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 9:229-230.
- Rickettson, O.G., Jr. 1911. A list of Reptilia collected at
Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist., Middlesex School,
Concord, Mass., Proc. 1:11-13.
|