Category: Amphibians

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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” […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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

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.