The Creek is crawling with water-loving animals in the month of April!
Pictured first is a Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) on the Boardwalk Trail. This large freshwater turtle may hiss when threatened or approached, and should be regarded with caution. It can easily amputate a finger if handled incorrectly.
Pictured next is a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon), about 3 feet long. Found along Shaver’s Creek, this feisty Colubrid will share a winter den with copperheads and black rat snakes. All three snakes can also be seen overwintering in our Discovery Room.
The third picture is of a fist-sized Green Frog (Rana clamitans). Male green frogs have a large tympanum (external eardrum) and yellow throat. Female green frogs have a tympanum that is roughly the same diameter as that of the eye. Can you tell if this is a male or female green frog?
The last two pictures show an American Toad (Bufo americanus) and Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) on a rainy night in late March.
