On Saturday, we (myself, Dr. Sandy Echternacht, and Dr. R. Graham Reynolds) took the herpetology class at UTK to the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, Tennessee, for a field trip. Weather was great with sunny skies, temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s, and low humidity. We first traveled to the Conasauga River area to look for turtles and salamanders in the tributaries. Next, we visited a historic locality for Coal Skinks collected by in 1980. Later in the day, we traveled to the Hiwassee River to look for hellbenders and mudpuppies then roadcruised around the Apalachia Dam area for snakes just after dark before heading back to Knoxville.
Overall we did fairly well and saw a number of species. We documented 23 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 8 salamanders, 4 frogs, 1 lizard, 6 snakes, and 4 turtles.
Conasauga River area:
Coluber constrictor constrictor (Northern Black Racer) DOR adult
Nerodia sipedon pleuralis x sipedon (Northern Watersnake) 4 adults and 1 juvenile
Regina septemvittata (Queensnake) 1 juvenile
Storeria dekayi wrightorum (Midland Brownsnake) 1 adult gravid female
Plestiodon fasciatus (Common Five-Lined Skink) 2 adults
Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) 1 adult
Pseudemys concinna (River Cooter) 1 adult male
Sternotherus minor peltifer (Stripe-Necked Musk Turtle) 13 adults and juveniles
Sternotherus odoratus (Stinkpot) 2 adults
Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) adults calling and TMTC tadpoles
Desmognathus aeneus (Seepage Salamander) 1 adult
Desmognathus conanti (Spotted Dusky Salamander) 15+ adults and juveniles
Desmognathus monticola (Seal Salamander) 1 adult
Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-Bellied Salamander) 1 larva
Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander) 1 adult and 5+ larvae
Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander) 2 adults
Hiwassee River area:
Pantherophis guttatus (Red Cornsnake) 2 DOR adults
Pantherophis spiloides (Gray Ratsnake) 1 subadult
Anaxyrus americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad) 20+ adults and juveniles, calling
Hyla chrysoscelis (Cope's Gray Treefrog) calling
Pseudacris crucifer (Spring Peeper) calling
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis (Eastern Hellbender) 21 adults and juveniles, 3 larvae
Necturus maculosus (Common Mudpuppy) 6 adults
Photographs:
Nerodia sipedon pleuralis x sipedon (Northern Watersnake)
Pantherophis spiloides (Gray Ratsnake)
Regina septemvittata (Queensnake)
Storeria dekayi wrightorum (Midland Brownsnake)
Pseudemys concinna (River Cooter)
Sternotherus minor peltifer (Stripe-Necked Musk Turtle)
Sternotherus odoratus (Stinkpot)
Anaxyrus americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis (Eastern Hellbender)
Desmognathus monticola (Seal Salamander)
Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander)
Necturus maculosus (Common Mudpuppy)
Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander)
