The herpetology class at UTK went out to search for amphibians and reptiles associated with the cedar glades of middle Tennessee in hopes of finding some the rarer species of snakes and lizards found in the state. We first visited a few sites in Cedars of Lebanon State Forest then search briefly at Vesta Cedar Glade State Natural Area. Although overall numbers of individuals was down compared to trips in the past, we weren't disappointed by diversity. The weather was great with temperatures in the mid 80s and partly cloudy skies. On the way back to Knoxville, we also stopped at Ozone Falls State Natural Area to look for a few species of salamanders.
Cedar Glade finds:
Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander) 20+ larvae
Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamanders) a few egg masses
Notophthalmus v. viridescens (Eastern Newt) 3 adults and several larvae
Plethodon dorsalis (Northern Zigzag Salamander) 2 adults and 1 juvenile
Acris crepitans (Northern Cricket Frog) 3 adults
Anaxyrus a. americanus (Eastern American Toad) 4 adults and juveniles, adults calling
Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowler's Toad) 30+ adults
Hyla chrysoscelis (Cope's Gray Treefrog) adults calling
Lithobates sphenocephalus (Southern Leopard Frog) 1 adult
Pseudacris feriarum (Upland Chorus Frog) adults calling
Aspidoscelis s. sexlineata (Eastern Six-lined Racerunner) 1 juvenile
Plestiodon fasciatus (Five-lined Skink) 5+ adults and juveniles
Plestiodon inexpectatus (Southeastern Five-lined Skink) 2 adults
Sceloporus undulatus (Eastern Fence Lizard) TMTC adults and juveniles
Scincella lateralis (Little Ground Skink) 3 adults
Carphophis amoenus (Eastern Wormsnake) 3 adults and 1 juvenile
Coluber c. constrictor (Northern Black Racer) 2 adults, 2 juveniles, 1 DOR adult, 1 DOR juvenile
Diadophis punctatus edwardsi (Northern Ringneck Snake) 6 adults
Lampropeltis getula nigra (Black Kingsnake) 2 juveniles, 1 DOR adult
Lampropeltis t. triangulum (Eastern Milksnake) 2 adults
Tantilla coronata (Southeastern Crowned Snake) 1 adult
Virginia v. valeriae (Eastern Smooth Earthsnake) 3 adults
Ozone Falls State Natural Area:
Pseudacris crucifer (Spring Peeper) several adults calling
Aneides aeneus (Green Salamander) 1 adult
Desmognathus abditus (Cumberland Dusky Salamander) 2 adults and 1 juvenile
Desmognathus conanti (Spotted Dusky Salamander) 2 adults
Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander) 1 adult
Gyrinophilus p. porphyriticus (Northern Spring Salamander) 1 adult
Notophthalmus v. viridescens (Eastern Newt) 1 eft
Carphophis amoenus (Eastern Wormsnake)
Coluber c. constrictor (Northern Black Racer)
Lampropeltis getula nigra (Black Kingsnake)
Lampropeltis t. triangulum (Eastern Milksnake)
Tantilla coronata (Southeastern Crowned Snake)
Virginia v. valeriae (Eastern Smooth Earthsnake)
Scincella lateralis (Little Ground Skink)
Aspidoscelis s. sexlineata (Eastern Six-lined Racerunner)
Plestiodon fasciatus (Five-lined Skink)
Plestiodon inexpectatus (Southeastern Five-lined Skink)
Sceloporus undulatus (Eastern Fence Lizard)
Acris crepitans (Northern Cricket Frog)
Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowler's Toad)
Lithobates sphenocephalus (Southern Leopard Frog)