48. Northern
Cricket Frog - Acris crepitans
This is a very small frog that is brown with stripes on
legs and green spotting. Formerly found on L.I. and S.I.
in wetland habitats. It is now listed as "Threatened"
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
.
This
species may still exist in very isolated pockets on Long
Island and Staten Island.
49. Timber
Rattlesnake - Crotalus horridus
This species was L.I.’s only front fanged venomous snake.
There are many historical records of this snakes presence
here until the turn of the century. It is listed as "Threatened"
by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries the government encouraged
the slaughter of this rare and valuable species until
the point where it vanished completely from our area.
.
50. Bog
Turtle - Clemmys muhlenbergii
This
species was originally found on S.I. It is now listed
by the Federal Government as "Endangered". This species
requires bogs and wetland habitats. On Staten Island most
of what used to be bog turtle habitat has been drained
and altered for human use. It is a small turtle with a
brown carapace and bright orange patches behind hind.
.
51. Wood
Turtle - Clemmys insculpta
Description: 5-9" (12.7-23 cm). This species has
a rough brown shell with "pyramid-like" projects jutting
outward from the carapace scutes. Plastron yellow. Limbs
and neck bright orange. Very long tail. .
Similar
species in our area: NONE.
Lifestyle:
This species may have been native to our entire area,
but became extinct as development destroyed most of this
species’ habitat. Many introduced individuals have been
found on L.I. since then, but they probably have not re-established
themselves as breeding populations. This species
is very rare and is listed by the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation as a "Species of Special
Concern". This species inhabits cool streams in forests
and woodlands. Also spends much time on land. Mates Early
spring and lays 6-8 1 5/8" eggs in May to June.
Young
hatch September and October at 1 1/8 to 1 5/5/8". Young
look like adults. Eggs laid on land in nest.
52. Upland
Chorus Frog - Pseudacris triseriata feriarum
This
species was originally found on S.I. It is an extremely
small frog only reaching 1 3/8" (3.5 cm). This species
is characterized by a light line along the upper lip and
a dark stripe from snout to groin passing through eye.
These frogs inhabited Staten Islands moist woodlands,
swamps and wetlands. This species may still exist in very
small pockets on Staten Island. .