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Photographed by Les Fredette
40% of the world's amphibians are currently at risk of extinction
And reptiles follow behind them at 20% (IUCN, 2024). Wildlife conservation is more important now than it ever has been- however, this issue is not everyone's top priority. Without the proper education on this topic, many people will fail to understand the impact they have on the environment and the animals that live within it.
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Amphibians are one of the few animals that need vernal pools in order to survive. These are temporary bodies of water that form from rainfall or melting snow, typically in the fall or spring. Because they are supplied by finite sources of water, vernal pools will dry up annually- often during late summer. Trees and plants take in water from the pool and evaporation occurs, causing the water level to drop until it runs out. Many frog and salamander species require vernal pools to reproduce, migrating to them in masses during their breeding seasons. The brief lifespan of these pools is important because they are unable to sustain larger organisms like fish, who would endanger the eggs and larvae of amphibians. However, these ecosystems are becoming threatened, being destroyed primarily by land development as humans level forests and build on top of areas that once housed these special systems. During their migrations, many frogs and salamanders get run over by cars that drive on roads that were built between their habitats and the vernal pools they depend on.
Vernal Pool
Photographed by Alyssa Jones in Monroe
Another threat to amphibians is pollution. Many frogs and salamanders take in oxygen and water through their skin. Due to this, their skin is easily permeable and they are susceptible to absorbing these pollutants. Pesticides and fertilizers used in yards can easily enter bodies of water through runoff, contaminating it. To help reduce this, try switching to natural products as an alternative.
Climate change is also having drastic effects on amphibians. Many species are sensitive to temperatures and moisture, and are highly dependent on weather patterns for breeding behavior. This makes it very difficult for amphibians to adapt to the changing climate. ​
Invasive species effect both amphibians and reptiles. These are plants or animals brought outside of their native range that cause harm to the environment they were introduced to. This introduction can happen through the pet trade, the transportation of goods, or the intentional planting of vegetation. Instead of dying they are able to adapt and survive in the new habitat, competing with native species. They take up food and living space, and with few natural predators they are able to multiply quickly. They also have the potential to passively carry diseases, transmitting them to native populations and causing outbreaks that are incredibly deadly. Before buying a pet make sure you understand the responsibilities and costs that are associated with it, and if you own a pet that you no longer want, never release it into the wild. Instead you can re-home it or surrender it to a humane society. If you are planning on planting any new greenery in your yard, make sure you research your options to avoid buying an invasive species.
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Reptiles- specifically snakes- face threats from humans who kill them. Whether it be due to fear or ignorance, this practice is unacceptable. This is especially common with venomous snakes, or snakes that people mistake to be venomous. Out of around 3,000 species of snakes, 15% of them are venomous- and only around 200 of those have enough venom to kill a human. It was noted that in the U.S., bees cause more deaths than snakes (Meyers & Tadi, 2022). If you stay informed about which snakes could potentially be dangerous in your area, you can know what to look out for. Snakes, venomous or non-venomous, will only bite if they are provoked, so keep your distance and don't attempt to disturb them.
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As you look through this website, take note of the conservation statuses listed on each species page. Two are shown; the status in the state and globally. If applicable, the state's listing is also shown- whether the species is of special concern, threatened, or endangered. I have included these three statuses to hopefully provide a larger picture of the distribution of these species not only across the state, but across the world as well. Keep in mind these threats that reptiles and amphibians are facing, and think about what you can do to help.
About
As a student with a love for herpetology, I found that there was a lack of easily accessible information available online about Connecticut's reptiles and amphibians- specifically regarding the range of where these species could be found. I took the opportunity to create this website for my capstone project, a graduation requirement in high school. This website presents information about each of Connecticut's reptile and amphibian species, featuring range maps that I created using data available online. I have provided descriptions to help with species identification, as well as tips for telling the difference between those that are easily confused. My goal for this website is to inform and educate people about reptiles and amphibians, and make everyone aware of the challenges they are facing due to human activity. I hope that this site will be able to answer all of your questions about the amazing creatures that can be found in Connecticut!
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Now that I have graduated high school, I am continuing my education and pursuing a degree in conservation biology with the goal of entering the field of wildlife conservation. In the future I am hoping to work towards protecting endangered habitats and the species that reside within them.
Contact
Have any questions? Need help with an identification? Want your photos featured on this website? Seen a species somewhere not indicated on a range map? Email me at:
References
Still interested in finding more information? Check out the resources I used:
Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. (2021). National Amphibian Atlas. U.S. Geological Survey. https://armi.usgs.gov/atlas/.
AmphibiaWeb. (2024). Amphibian Species by the Numbers. University of California, Berkley. https://amphibiaweb.org/amphibian/speciesnums.html.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. (2015, August 5). Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Amphibians. Connecticut. https://portal.ct.gov/deep/endangered-species/endangered-species-listings/endangered-threatened--special-concern-amphibians.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. (2015, August 5). Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Reptiles. Connecticut. https://portal.ct.gov/deep/endangered-species/endangered-species-listings/endangered-threatened--special-concern-reptiles.
iNaturalist. (2024). Observations. California Academy of the Sciences / National Geographic Society. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=49&iconic_taxa=Reptilia,Amphibia.
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/.
Klemens, M. W. et al. (2021). Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles in Connecticut. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. https://ctdeepstore.com/products/conservation-of-amphibians-reptiles-in-connecticut.​
Meyers, S. E. & Tadi P. (2022, September 19). Snake Toxicity. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557565/.
NatureServe. (2024) NatureServe Explorer. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search.
Quinn, D. P. (2020). Connecticut Herpetology. https://www.ctherpetology.com/.
Watkins-Colwell, G. J. et al. (2024). Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Connecticut. Yale Peabody Museum. https://peabody.yale.edu/explore/collections/herpetology/guide-amphibians-reptiles-connecticut.
Watkins-Colwell, G. J. et al. (2006). New Distribution Records for Amphibians and Reptiles in Connecticut, with Notes on the Status of an Introduced Species. Sacred Heart University. https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&context=bio_fac.
Page updated November 8, 2024