Last night, I went back to Cherokee National Forest in Monroe Co., TN and adjacent Nantahala National Forest in NC with Graham Reynolds and his wife Jen to road cruise for amphibians during a good rain that fell throughout the evening. Temperatures ranged from the low 50s at the higher elevations to the low 60s at lower elevations with a mix of rain, fog, and clouds. We didn't do too bad for just staying in the car on a Friday night. The trip began around 6:30 pm and we didn't return to Knoxville until around 3:30 am.
The List:
Amphibians:
Desmognathus conanti (Spotted Dusky Salamander) 8 adults
Desmognathus monticola (Seal Salamander) 1 adult
Desmognathus ocoee (Ocoee Salamander) 100+ adults
Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-Bellied Salamander) 10+ adults
Eurycea junaluska (Junaluska Salamander) 1 adult
Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander) 50+ adults
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus danielsi (Blue Ridge Spring Salamander) 25+ adults
Plethodon aureolus (Tellico Salamander) 2 adults
Plethodon teyahalee (Southern Appalachian Salamander) 40+ adults and juveniles
Pseudotriton ruber schenki (Black-Chinned Red Salamander) 6 adults
Bufo americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad) 100+ observed and calling
Hyla chrysoscelis (Cope's Gray Treefrog) TMTC observed and calling
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer (Northern Spring Peeper) TMTC observed and calling
Pseudacris feriarum (Upland Chorus Frog) A few heard calling
Rana clamitans melanota (Green Frog) 30+ adults and juveniles
Rana palustris (Pickerel Frog) 1 juvenile
Rana sylvatica (Wood Frog) 20+ adults and juveniles
Reptiles:
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen (Northern Copperhead) 2 adults AOR and 1 adult DOR
Lampropeltis getula nigra (Black Kingsnake) 1 adult caught in Graham and Jen's garage!
Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Eastern Milksnake) 1 adult DOR
Nerodia sipedon sipedon (Northern Watersnake) 1 juvenile AOR and 2 juveniles DOR
Thamnophis sirtalis (Eastern Gartersnake) 2 subadults DOR
Salamander:
Desmognathus conanti (Spotted Dusky Salamander)
Desmognathus ocoee (Ocoee Salamander)
Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-Bellied Salamander)
Eurycea junaluska (Junaluska Salamander)
Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander)
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus danielsi (Blue Ridge Spring Salamander)
Plethodon aureolus (Tellico Salamander)
Plethodon teyahalee (Southern Appalachian Salamander)
Pseudotriton ruber schenki (Black-Chinned Red Salamander)
Frogs:
Bufo americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)
Hyla chrysoscelis (Cope's Gray Treefrog)
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer (Northern Spring Peeper)
Rana clamitans melanota (Green Frog)
Rana sylvatica (Wood Frog)
Snakes:
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen (Northern Copperhead)
Lampropeltis getula nigra (Black Kingsnake)