| REPTILES |
Turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and tuataras (a unique group from New Zealand) represent the reptiles. Similar to amphibians, reptiles are (or once
were) four legged, cold blooded, vertebrates. Unlike amphibians, reptiles have evolved a tough scaly skin and amniotic egg which has allowed them to
become less reliant on being near water, thus allowing them to radiate out into all sorts of unique habitats. These animals also have more fully developed
lungs than their amphibian counterparts and also rely primarily on internal fertilization for reproduction.
Ohio is home to over 40 species of reptiles. Of these approximately fifteen can be found on the Lake Erie Islands. Similar to what has happened in other
parts of the world the amphibian diversity and abundance on the islands is not what it once was several decades ago due to human development and
pollution. For more specific information on island reptiles click on one of the following links:
Snakes of the Lake Erie Islands
Turtles of the Lake Erie Islands
Lizards
Only several species of lizards inhabit Ohio. For better or worse, none of these species have managed to make their way to the Lake Erie Islands.
were) four legged, cold blooded, vertebrates. Unlike amphibians, reptiles have evolved a tough scaly skin and amniotic egg which has allowed them to
become less reliant on being near water, thus allowing them to radiate out into all sorts of unique habitats. These animals also have more fully developed
lungs than their amphibian counterparts and also rely primarily on internal fertilization for reproduction.
Ohio is home to over 40 species of reptiles. Of these approximately fifteen can be found on the Lake Erie Islands. Similar to what has happened in other
parts of the world the amphibian diversity and abundance on the islands is not what it once was several decades ago due to human development and
pollution. For more specific information on island reptiles click on one of the following links:
Snakes of the Lake Erie Islands
Turtles of the Lake Erie Islands
Lizards
Only several species of lizards inhabit Ohio. For better or worse, none of these species have managed to make their way to the Lake Erie Islands.
REPTILE RELATED LINKS
1964 publication on the Reptiles and Amphibians of the Lake Erie Islands
OHIO DNR Reptile website
RespectTheSnake! Dedicated to conservation and education of the Lake Erie Watersnake
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
1964 publication on the Reptiles and Amphibians of the Lake Erie Islands
OHIO DNR Reptile website
RespectTheSnake! Dedicated to conservation and education of the Lake Erie Watersnake
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
RECOMMENDED READING
Ohio Turtle, Lizard, and Snake Atlas by Douglas E. Wynn and Scott M. Moody 2006 From Ohio Biological Survey.
A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, by Roger Conant. Houghton Muffin Co., 1975. Includes color plates
of species, distribution maps, and brief text about each species.
The Audubon Society Field Guide to American Reptiles & Amphibians, by J.L. Behler and F. Wayne King. Alfred A. Knopf, 1979.
Field Guide to the Life and Times of Roger Conant, by Roger Conant. Canyonland Publishing Group, 1997.
Reptiles and Amphibians of the Great Lakes Region. By James H Harding. University of Michigan Press, 1997.
Nested Species Assemblages of Amphibians and Reptiles on Islands in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Hecnar et al. pdf
Snakes: Ecology and Conservation, by S. Mullin and R. Seigel. Cornell University Press, 2009.
Ohio Turtle, Lizard, and Snake Atlas by Douglas E. Wynn and Scott M. Moody 2006 From Ohio Biological Survey.
A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, by Roger Conant. Houghton Muffin Co., 1975. Includes color plates
of species, distribution maps, and brief text about each species.
The Audubon Society Field Guide to American Reptiles & Amphibians, by J.L. Behler and F. Wayne King. Alfred A. Knopf, 1979.
Field Guide to the Life and Times of Roger Conant, by Roger Conant. Canyonland Publishing Group, 1997.
Reptiles and Amphibians of the Great Lakes Region. By James H Harding. University of Michigan Press, 1997.
Nested Species Assemblages of Amphibians and Reptiles on Islands in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Hecnar et al. pdf
Snakes: Ecology and Conservation, by S. Mullin and R. Seigel. Cornell University Press, 2009.
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