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Wild Toledo
AMPHIBIANS and REPTILES
of the TOLEDO ZOO GROUNDS
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Staff and visitors sometimes see the eastern fox
snake (Pantherophis vulpina) on Zoo grounds.
It is a large rat snake that feeds on mammals and
occasionally birds. Though locally abundant in
some habitats, it is a Species of Concern in Ohio
and lives in only 5 counties of north central Ohio.
Fox snakes can reach nearly 6 feet in length.
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Red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
This is the only salamander known to live on Zoo
grounds. It is a very small, direct-developing
species that does not need water to reproduce.
It has been found near the railroad tracks and
Broadway lot by the Maumee River.
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The five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is our only native lizard. Its
shiny appearance and stripes are an easy way to distinguish it from the
introduced Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus sp). Young five-lined
skinks have bright blue tails, and mature males develop orange on the
face and throat. Skinks are active during the day in several exhibits.
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The northern brown snake (Storeria dekayi)
is common in Toledo’s urban areas and on Zoo
grounds. It is small and tan, with two rows
of dark spots running down the back. Some
individuals have a lighter tan stripe between
these. The brown snake feeds mostly on slugs.
The eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
and Butler’s garter snake (Thamnophis butleri)
are two species commonly called garter snakes.
Both of these species have stripes running the
length of their bodies and are under 24 inches in
length. Garter snakes feed predominantly on
earthworms.
In and near the Maumee River, you may see the
northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon).
Sometimes in the spring or fall this snake can
be seen inland as well.
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American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) This species
is very common in local urban areas that have
semi-permanent water for reproduction. At the
Zoo, the American toad reproduces in the spring in
the butterfly pond near the Formal Gardens.
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As part of the Wild Toledo program, Toledo Zoo staff are currently tracking
the locations of these specieson grounds. You can help! If you see these
species on grounds, please email Wild.Toledo@toledozoo.org. If you can
include a picture, even from a cell phone, that would be very helpful.