Green Frog – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Green Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates clamitans Comments: This is one of our most familiar frogs, and is found statewide. It has some green on its face and a mostly brown body, with a ridge running down each side of its back. This species prefers permanent or semipermanent water […]

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Green Frog – 5/21/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/23 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Green Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates clamitans Comments: This is one of our most familiar frogs, and is found statewide. It has some green on its face and a mostly brown body, with a ridge running down each side of its back. This species prefers permanent or semipermanent water […]

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Gray Tree Frog – 5/6/23

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 5/6/23 Observation Time: 9:20 p.m. Observation Location: Mountain St. Common Name: Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name: Hyla versicolor Comments: Gray tree frogs can change color to camouflage themselves (hence the species name “versicolor”). This one was brownish to blend in better with the wall on which it was observed. Learn what a gray tree frog call sounds like at: music […]

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Red-backed Salamander – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation TIme: 8:43 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red-backed Salamander Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus Comments: Red-backed salamanders can be found by turning over rotting logs in the woods. More Information: Wikipedia

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Yellow-Spotted Salamander – 3/13/22

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 3/13/22 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill St. near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Yellow Spotted Salamander Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum Comments: It’s generally best not to handle amphibians, so I left it alone. Salamanders typically do not emerge until “Big Night” – the first rainy night after the snow melts in late March. This specimen was crawling around while it was snowing. More […]

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Yellow Spotted Salamander – 2/17/22

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 2/17/22 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: 359 Mansfield Street, Sharon Common Name: Yellow Spotted Salamander Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum Comments: Although it’s generally best not to handle amphibians, it was on the street so I picked it up and put it under some leaves across the street before a car came. Unfortunately I did not get a photo. Salamanders typically do not emerge until “Big Night” […]

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Pickerel Frog – 9/9/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/9/20 Observation Time: 11:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Pickerel Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates palustris Comments: The skin secretions of a stressed pickerel frog are known to be toxic to other frogs, as many a novice frog catcher has found when he finds only the pickerel frogs still alive in his bucket. These secretions can also be […]

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Red-backed Salamander – 5/6/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/20 Observation TIme: 8:50 a.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse Common Name: Red-backed Salamander Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus Comments: Red-backed salamanders can be found by turning over rotting logs in the woods. More Information: Wikipedia

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Wood Frog – 4/13/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 4/13/19 Observation Time: midnight Observation Location: Moose Hill Street near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Wood Frog Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica Comments: As their name implies, wood frogs live in the woods and reproduce in vernal pools. Listen to the recording of the quacking sound it makes at the Wikipedia link below so you can recognize it when they thaw […]

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Red-backed Salamander – 4/13/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 4/13/19 Observation TIme: midnight Observation Location: Moose Hill Street near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Red-backed Salamander Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus Comments: This photo was taken on “Big Night” – the first rainy night after the snow has melted in spring when a variety of woodland amphibians migrate from uplands down to nearby wetlands to spawn. To witness this amazing […]

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Yellow Spotted Salamander – 4/13/19

Observer: Richard Kramer Observation Date: 4/13/19 Observation Time: midnight Observation Location: Moose Hill Street near Kendall Estate Common Name: Yellow Spotted Salamander Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum Comments: To see a variety of frog and salamander species on the first rainy night after the snow melts in late March or early April, take an umbrella and a flashlight, and walk down Moose Hill Street near TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm . That’s when mole […]

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American Toad – 6/17/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/17/13 Observation Time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: American Toad Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus More Information: Wikipedia Baby toad nearby:  

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American Toad – 7/16/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/16/10 Observation Time: 9:55 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: American Toad (juvenile) Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus Comments: Note toe of shoe in photo to get an idea of the small size of this toad. More Information: Wikipedia

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American Toad – 9/14/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/13/09 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: Bay Circuit Trail near Gorwin Drive Common Name: American Toad Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus Comments: Notice how well this toad is camouflaged. More Information: Animal Diversity Web  

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Gray Tree Frog – 10/13/12

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 10/13/12 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street Common Name: Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name: Hyla versicolor Comments: In the crux of a spruce that has a divided trunk. But the story is, we just thought it was a toad, however I went to Franklin Park zoo this past Saturday 10/27, and there was a picture of the exact same type of […]

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Gray Tree Frog – 7/19/08

Observer: Will Sweet Observation Date: 7/19/08 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Back yard garden Common Name: Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name: Hyla versicolor Comments: While watering the garden, this tree frog revealed itself in a bush. More Information: Learn what a gray tree frog call sounds like at: music of nature, so you don’t wrack your brains trying to figure out what kind of bird it […]

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Wood Frog – 9/13/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/13/14 Observation Time: 12:10 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Wood Frog Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica Comments: This amphibian lives in the woods and reproduces in vernal pools. Listen to the recording of the quacking sound it makes at the Wikipedia link below so you can recognize it when they thaw out after the snow melts in early […]

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American Toad – 5/26/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/14 Observation Time: 11:50 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: American Toad Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus Comments: Toads eat insects, so whenever I find one, I release it in my garden. More Information: Wikipedia  

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Yellow-spotted Salamander – 9/24/11

Observer: Scott Didham Observation Date: 9/24/11 Observation Location: Mansfield St. Common Name: Yellow-spotted salamander Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum More Information: Read about the salamander migration at Moose Hill in 2008.

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Pickerel Frog – 8/11/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/11 Observation Time: 3:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Pickerel Frog Scientific Name: Rana palustris Comments: The skin secretions of a stressed pickerel frog are known to be toxic to other frogs, as many a novice frog catcher has found when he finds only the pickerel frogs still alive in his bucket. These secretions can also be […]

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Green Frog – 7/4/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/4/11 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Green Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates clamitans Comments: This is one of our most familiar frogs, and is found statewide. It has some green on its face and a mostly brown body, with a ridge running down each side of its back. This species prefers permanent or semipermanent water bodies […]

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Lead-Backed Salamander – 3/17/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/17/11 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Coach Lane Common Name: Lead-backed salamander Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus Comments: The lead-backed salamander is a color variant of the red-backed salamander. They live under rotting logs. More Information: Fairfax County Public Schools

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Pickerel Frog – 8/20/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/20/10 Observation Time: 7:45 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Pickerel Frog Scientific Name: Rana palustris Comments: The skin secretions of a stressed pickerel frog are known to be toxic to other frogs, as many a novice frog catcher has found when he finds only the pickerel frogs still alive in his bucket. These secretions can also be […]

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American Bullfrog – 7/16/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/16/10 Observation Time: 5:25 a.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis court Common Name: American Bullfrog Scientific Name: Rana catesbeiana Comments: Bullfrogs are voracious, opportunistic, ambush predators that prey on any small animal they can overpower and stuff down their throats. Bullfrog stomachs have been found to contain rodents, small reptiles, amphibians, crayfish, birds, and bats, as well as the […]

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Red-Backed Salamander – 4/10/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/10/10 Observation Time: 7:10 p.m. Observation Location: Hockomock Swamp, Easton Common Name: Red-backed salamander Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus Comments: Red-backed salamanders can be found by turning over rotting logs in the woods. More Information: Wikipedia PS – Read about the salamander migration at Moose Hill in 2008.

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