Manitoba Envirothon
Herpetology Guide
Non-Avian Reptiles and Amphibians of Manitoba
Photo by: JaggedTech
Species lists and descriptions: Kathryn Bar
Introductions and Editing: Olwyn Friesen and Jennifer Bryson
Table of Contents
IntroductiontoNon-AvianReptilesandAmphibians........................................................................3
AMPHIBIANS....................................................................................................................................4
Frogs..........................................................................................................................................................5
AmericanToad................................................................................................................................................5
CanadianToad................................................................................................................................................6
PlainsSpadefoot.............................................................................................................................................7
GreatPlainsToad............................................................................................................................................8
SpringPeeper.................................................................................................................................................9
LeopardFrog.................................................................................................................................................10
WoodFrog....................................................................................................................................................11
GrayTreefrog................................................................................................................................................12
BorealChorusFrog.......................................................................................................................................13
GreenFrog....................................................................................................................................................14
MinkFrog......................................................................................................................................................15
Salamanders............................................................................................................................................16
BluespottedSalamander..............................................................................................................................16
BarredTigerSalamander..............................................................................................................................17
EasternTigerSalamander.............................................................................................................................18
CommonMudpuppy.....................................................................................................................................19
NON-AVIANREPTILES.....................................................................................................................20
Squamates...............................................................................................................................................21
RedSidedGarterSnake................................................................................................................................21
PlainsGarterSnake.......................................................................................................................................22
WesternHognoseSnake...............................................................................................................................23
SmoothGreenSnake....................................................................................................................................24
NorthernRedbellySnake..............................................................................................................................25
NorthernPrairieSkink..................................................................................................................................26
Turtles.....................................................................................................................................................27
CommonSnappingTurtle.............................................................................................................................27
WesternPaintedTurtle................................................................................................................................28
References.....................................................................................................................................29
2
Introduction to Non-Avian Reptiles and Amphibians
Herpetology, from the Greek ‘herpien’ meaning ‘to creep’, is the study of amphibians
(including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians) and reptiles (including snakes, lizards,
amphisbaenidae,turtles,terrapins,tortoises,crocodilians,andthetuataras).Herpetologygroupsall
pokilothermic-ectothermic terapods. Although many scientists would argue that this grouping is
incompleteandinaccurate,ascrocodiliansandturtlesaremorecloselyrelatedbirds(aves)thanother
reptilians (e.g., lizards and snakes – see figure below) and reptiles are more closely related to
mammals than amphibians, it has been used historically to group terapod species with similar
characteristics. Modern classification has the group split into five categories – Amphibia (frogs and
toads, salamanders, and caecilians), turtles (testudinia), Lepidosauria (lizards, snakes, tuatara),
Crocodillia,andbirds(Aves).
Manitobaishometoavarietyofamphibiansandnon-avianreptiles.Althoughthediversityis
limitedduetotheextremetemperaturesfoundinourprovince,manyspecieshaveadaptationsthat
haveallowedthemtosurvive.Manitobahaseightspeciesofreptiles,whichconsistofsixsquamates
(fivesnakesandonelizard),andtwoturtles.Wearealsohometosixteenspeciesofamphibians,
whichincludefoursalamanders,twelvefrogs.
3
AMPHIBIANS
Amphibiansareagroupofspeciesthatareoftenfoundlivingbothinthewaterandonland.
Theyrepresentoneoftheearliestgroupsoftetrapodstobefoundlivingonland.Amphibiansare
generallycharacterizedbysevendifferentcharacteristics.Allamphibianshaveuniqueinnerear
structuresthatallowthemtobesensitivetolowfrequencynoises.Theyallhaveadistincttypeof
greenrodsintheireyesaswellasuniquemuscularstructureoperatingtheireyes.Allamphibians
havereducedribsthatdonotencircletheirbodies.Mostamphibianshavepedicellateteeth(one
salamandergenusandtwofroggeneraaretheexceptions).Veryimportantly,allamphibianshave
verythingglandularskinthatallowsthemtobreaththroughtheirskin.Theyhavemucusglandsto
ensuretheirskinstaysmoistguaranteeingthatgasses(e.g.,oxygen)canpassthrough).Breathing
throughtheirskinistheprimarymethodofbreathingformanyspecies(somevariationbetween
species).Animalsthatareclassifiedasamphibianincludefrogs,toads,newts,salamandersand
caecilians.Salamanders(Urodela)areelongatewithalongtail.Thereareapproximately560species
ofthisamphibian.Frogs(Anurans)aretail-lessshort-bodiedamphibians.Thisgroupincludes
approximate5400speciesandareoftendistinguishedbylocomotoryspecializations.Toadsare
includedinthisgroup,althoughthereisnoonegroup(lineage)oftoads.Caecilians areagroupof
limbless,serpentineamphibians.Theymostlylivehiddenintheground,makingthemtheleast
familiarorderofamphibians.Thereareapproximately170speciesofcaecilliansthatoftenhaveskin
orboneovertheireyes(ornoeyes)astheyareblind.Theyhaveprotrusibletentacles,whichisunique
toamphibians.Amphibiansmostoftenexhibita‘biphasic’lifecycle,wheretheyhavealarvallife
stage(e.g.,tadpoles)andthenmetamorphoseintoanadultphase.
Manitobahas15speciesofamphibians,includingfourspeciesofsalamanders(e.g.,eastern
tigersalamander,mudpuppy,etc.)and11speciesoffrogs(includingtoads).Interestingly,Manitobais
hometothemudpuppy,apaedomorphic()speciesthatremainsactiveinpermanentbodiesof
water.TosurviveinManitobaallspeciesofamphibiansmusthaveadaptationslikefreeze-avoidance
(aquaticandterrestrialhibernators)andfreeze-tolerance(allowbodiestofreeze,e.g.,woodfrog).
4
Frogs
AmericanToad
(Anaxyrusamericanus)
©upload.wikimedia.org
Americantoadshavebadtastingliquidlocatedintheirskinthattheysqueezeoutiftheyareattacked.
Thisliquidcanalsomakesomeanimalssick.Thisservesasprotectionforthetoadsincemostanimals
willavoideatingthem.Americantoadshavehardbumpsontheirbackfeet,likelittleshovels,tohelp
themdigintotheground.
AdultSizes:Bodyupto11cmlong.
Diet:Terrestrialinsects(beetlesandants)
DenningandHabitat:Inthewinterthesetoadscanburrowuptothreefeetdeeptohibernate.These
toadsarenocturnalandrestduringthedayunderrocks,logsorleavesontheforestfloor.
Predators:Snakesaretheirmainenemies.Largewaterbugsandwadingbirdswilleatthetadpoles.
LifeHistory:AmericantoadsmateandlaytheireggsinMay.Theywillbreedinpondsfilledbymelting
snoworinsmallyear-roundponds.Alargefemaletoadcanlaymorethan1000eggs.Theeggshatch
in3to4days.
5
CanadianToad
(Bufohemiophrys)
©fortheloveoffrogs.com
Canadiantoadshavebadtastingliquidintheirskinthattheysqueezeoutiftheyareattacked.Itcan
makesomeanimalssicksoitservesasprotectionforthetoadsincemostanimalswillavoideating
them.Canadiantoadshavehardbumpsontheirbackfeet,likelittleshovels,tohelpthemdigintothe
ground.Theircolourisbrownwithlotsofdarkerandlighterpatchesontheback.Theyhavelotsof
littlebumpscalledwartsontheirbacks.Underneaththeyarelightgreywithmanysmalldotsofgrey
orbrown.
AdultSizes:Bodyupto8cmlong.
Diet:Insectsthatcrawlonthegroundlikebeetlesandants
DenningandHabitat:Canadiantoadsliveinforestsandingrasslandsnearlakesorwetlands.Inlate
autumntheydigdeepintosoftgroundandspendthewintersleepingthere.Theydigwiththeirback
feetandmustgodowndeepenoughsothegroundwillnotfreeze.
Predators:Snakesaretheirmainenemies.Largewaterbugsandwadingbirdswilleatthetadpoles.
LifeHistory:CanadiantoadsusuallymateandlaytheireggsinMay.Theyusepondsfilledbymelting
snoworsmallyear-roundponds.Theireggsarelaidinalongstringinsteadofinaballlikefrogeggs.A
largefemaletoadcanlaymorethan1000eggs.Theeggshatchin3to4days.
6
PlainsSpadefoot
(Speabombifrons)
©c1.staticflickr.com
Theplainsspadefootisaveryfastdigger.Eachspadefoothasalarge,hardbumpunderitshindfeet.It
canusethe"spade"onitshindfeettodigitselfbackwardsintosandinjustafewminutes.Oneof
theirmostoutstandingfeaturesistheirverticalor“cat”likepupils.
AdultSizes:Between4cmto6cmlong.
Diet:Ants,beetlesandcentipedes.
DenningandHabitat:Theplainsspadefoothibernatesinburrowsbeneaththefrostlineduring
winter.TheyliveinthegrasslandsofcentralandwesternNorthAmerica.Itpreferstheopenprairies,
awayfromforestsorwetlands.Itismostoftenfoundinareaswithsandysoil.
Predators:InManitobathewesternhognosesnakeandtheplainsgartersnakeeatthem.The
tadpolesareeatenbywaterbugsandshorebirds.Spadefoottadpoleswillcannibalizeeachother.
LifeHistory:Spadefoottoadsliveindryareasandonlybreedafteraheavyrain.Theybreedinlarge
rainpuddlesinJuneorJulywhentheweatheriswarm.Femaleslayupto250eggs.Theeggshatchin
2daysandthetadpolescanbecometoadletsinaslittleas14days.
7
GreatPlainsToad
(Anaxyruscognatus)
TheGreatPlainstoadisanamphibianthatlivesinverydryareas.Thecolouronthebackislight
brownwithlarge,darkercolouredpatches.Therearemanysmallbumps(warts)ineachofthe
patches.Thebellyiscreamcolouredorlightgrey.
AdultSizes:Upto11cmlong.
Diet:Ants,beetles,wormsandcentipedes.
DenningandHabitat:Duringthewintertheyburrowintothesoiltohibernate.TheGreatPlainstoad
livesingrasslands.GreatPlainstoadsalsoburrowtoescapedryconditions,includinghighair
temperaturesandlowairhumidity.
Predators:Snakesarethemainenemiesofthistoad.Itstadpolesareeatenbywaterbugsandbirds.
LifeHistory:TheGreatPlainstoadbreedsfromMaytoJuly.Femaleswilllaytheireggsinsmallponds
orlargerainwaterpuddles.Theeggstakeabout3daystohatch.Thetadpolesneedabout40daysto
growbeforechangingintotoadlets.
8
SpringPeeper
(Pseudacriscrucifer)
©upload.wikimedia.org
Theyareusuallylightbrownincolourwithsomedarkbandsorstripes.Springpeepershavean“X”
markingontheirbacks.
AdultSizes:Between2cmto3cmlong.
Diet:Smallinsectslikemosquitoesandflies.
DenningandHabitat:Springpeepersspendwinterundertheleavesontheforestfloor.Theyareone
ofthefourkindsoffrogsinManitobathatcanfreezesolidandlive.Theyliveinforestsandareusually
foundnearpondsorotherwetlands.Theystayinlowbushesorthickgrass.
Predators:Theirmainenemiesaresmallsnakessuchasyounggartersnakes.Theirtadpolesareeaten
bysnakesandlargewaterinsects.
LifeHistory:SpringpeepersmateandlayeggsinlateAprilorearlyMay.Theybreedinpondsthatfill
frommeltingsnoworinsmallyear-roundponds.Femaleslaytheireggsoneatatimeonthebottom
ofponds.Theeggshatchin3to5days.
9
LeopardFrog
(Lithobatespipiens)
©naturewatch.ca
TheleopardfrogisthelargestfroginManitoba.Itsgreencolouranddarkspotshelpittohideamong
theplantsnearwetlands.Theleopardfrog'sbigwebbedfeethelpittojumponlandandswimin
water.
AdultSizes:Thebodyisupto10cmlong.Withthelegsstretchedout,itcanbe30cmlong.
Diet:Insects,spiders,worms,crayfish,snails,youngsnakes,smallmiceandbabybirds.Theywilleat
otherfrogs,evensmallleopardfrogs.
DenningandHabitat:Leopardfrogslivenearlakes,ponds,orotherwetlands.Sometimestheywill
moveintograsslandsorforests.Thesefrogsspendwinteronthebottomoflargepondsorlakes.
Predators:Gartersnakes,hognosesnakes,snappingturtles,raccoons,skunks,mink,herons,crows,
hawksandowlswilleattheadults.Leopardfrogtadpolesareeatenbywaterbugs,paintedturtles,
snakesandbirdslikeheronsorkingfishers.
LifeHistory:LeopardfrogsbreedfromlateApriltoearlyJune.Theylaytheireggsinpondsorstreams
orsmalllakes.Eachfemalecanlayasmanyas5,000eggsinonebigclumpattachedtosomefloating
plantsorsticks.Theeggshatchin5to7days.
10
WoodFrog
(Lithobatessylvaticus)
©michigan.gov
Woodfrogsarethecolourofdeadleavessotheycanhideontheforestfloor.
AdultSizes:Itsbodyisabout5cmlong.Withitslegsstretchedoutitisabout15cmlong.
Diet:Insects,wormsandothersmallanimalswithoutbackbones.
DenningandHabitat:Theyspendwinterundertheleavesorunderlogsontheforestfloorwhere
theycanfreezesolid.Woodfrogsliveinforests,butcanbefoundinmeadowsormarshes.
Predators:Gartersnakes,herons,crows,raccoons,skunks,orweaselswilleatadults.Theirtadpoles
areeatenbyshorebirds,snakesandlargeinsectslikegiantwaterbugsanddivingbeetles.
LifeHistory:Mostofthebreedingisfrommid-ApriltoearlyMay.Theybreedinpondsfilledby
meltingsnoworinsmallyear-roundponds.Eachfemalelaysabout1000eggsinaroundbunchon
plantsfloatingontopofthewater.Theeggshatchin3to5days.Thetadpolescanbecomefroglets
about40daysafterhatching.
11
GrayTreefrog
(Hylaversicolor)
©naturewatch.ca
Therearereallytwokindsofgraytreefrogs.Oneiscalledthegraytreefrog(Hylaversicolor)andthe
otheriscalledtheCope'sgraytreefrog(Hylachrysoscelis).Theylookandactthesame;youcanonly
tellthemapartifyouheartheirmatingcallsorexaminetheirgenetics.Forthisreasoninthisguidewe
willusethisinformationforboth.Graytreefrogscanchangecolourtohidefrompredators.Thetops
ofthebodycanbeanycolourfromverydarkgreytobrightgreen.
AdultSizes:Upto6cmlong.
Diet:Moths,smallbeetlesandflies.
DenningandHabitat:Treefrogscanfreezeinwinter,undertheforestfloorleaves.Graytreefrogslive
inforestsandtheyusuallystayclosetosmallpondsorwetlands.
Predators:Smallowls,squirrels,andsnakeswilleattheadults.Thetadpolesareeatenbylargewater
insects,snakes,andwadingbirdslikeherons.
LifeHistory:TreefrogsmateandlayeggsinMayorearlyJune.Theybreedinpondsfilledbymelting
snoworinsmallyear-roundponds.Thefemalesmovetothepondwhentheyhavefoundamateand
laytheireggsquicklyinasmallbunchonsomeplantsatthetopofthewater.Theeggshatchin3to5
days.Thetadpolescanchangetofrogletsafterabout40days.
12
BorealChorusFrog
(Pseudacrismaculata)
©wildphotosphotography.com
Theyarebrownorgreenwithdarkstripesorpatches.Theycanchangetheircolour,fromgreento
brownormakeitlighterordarker.Thechorusfrogcanclimbuptreetrunksandonbranches.Ithunts
forfoodinlowbranchesorontheground.TheborealchorusfrogisManitoba'ssmallestfrog.
AdultSizes:Thebodyofanadultisamaximumof3cmlong.
Diet:Tinyinsectslikemosquitoes.
DenningandHabitat:Duringthewinterborealchorusfrogssleepunderleavesorlogsinforests,or
underthickgrassinmeadows.Theirbodiescanfreezesolid.Theyarefoundmainlyinforests,but
livesingrasslands,marshesandevenincities.
Predators:Snakes,birds,mice,shrews,andlargeinsects.Thetadpolesareeatenbybirdsandlarge
insects.
LifeHistory:Borealchorusfrogsmateveryearlyinspring.SometimestheycanlayeggsbyearlyApril.
Theybreedinsmallpondsfilledbymeltingsnow.Eachfemalelaysasmanyas200eggsinsmall
clumpsonplantsorsticksunderthewater.Theeggshatchinabout3days.Thetadpolesgrowfor
about40daysbeforetheybecomefroglets.
13
GreenFrog
(Lithobatesclamitans)
©naturewatch.ca
Malegreenfrogshaveaneardrumthatislargerthantheireye.Theyaregreentogreenishbrownon
topwithafewsmallblackspots.Therearedarkorblackstripesonthelegs.Aroundthemouththe
colourisusuallybrightgreen.
AdultSizes:Upto10cm.Femalesareusuallybiggerthanthemales.
Diet:Smallanimalslikesnailsandspiders.
DenningandHabitat:Greenfrogsspendwinteronthebottomofponds,streamsorlakes.Thegreen
frogisusuallyfoundnearwater,alonglakes,ponds,streamsorinotherwetlands.
Predators:Snappingturtle,red-sidedgartersnake,andbywadingbirdslikethegreatblueheron.
LifeHistory:GreenfrogsmatefromJunetomid-August.Theybreedinlargepondsoralongtheedges
ofsmalllakes.Malegreenfrogsstayintheirownsmallarea.Theydonotbunchuptocallformates
likemostfrogs.Femaleslayasmanyas4000eggsinonelargebunchonplantsatthetopofthe
water.Thetadpoleshatchoutinabout7days,butwillnotchangeintofrogletsuntilthenext
summer.Ittakesmorethanayear(nearly400days)foragreenfrogeggtobecomeafroglet.
14
MinkFrog
(Lithobatesseptentrionalis)
©naturewatch.ca
Theminkfroggetsitsnamebecauseitsmellslikeamink.Theminkismammalintheweaselfamily.
Theeyesofaminkfrogarefurtherontopofitsheadthanotherfrogs.Thishelpsittolookuptohunt
insectsthatareflyingoveritshead.
AdultSizes:Upto8cmlong.
Diet:Insectsthatflyoverthepondlikedragonfliesandmoths.
DenningandHabitat:Minkfrogsspendwinteronthebottomofrivers,pondsorlakes.Theylive
alongtheedgesofstreams,largepondsandsmalllakes.
Predators:Manybirdsandmammalswillnoteataminkfrogbecausetheytasteandsmellbad.
Snakeswilleattheadults.Thetadpolesareeatenbyfish,snakes,largewaterinsectsandshorebirds.
LifeHistory:MinkfrogsmateandlayeggsinJuneandearlyJuly.Theybreedinlargeponds,streams
oralongtheedgesofsmalllakes.Thefemaleslaytheireggsinlargebunchesattachedtotheleavesof
waterplants.Eachfemalecanlay500eggs.Theeggshatchin7days.Thetadpoleswillnotchangeto
frogletsuntilthenextsummer.
15
Salamanders
BluespottedSalamander
(Ambystomalaterale)
©upload.wikimedia.org
Thesesalamandersareshinyblackwithlightbluespotsonitssides.Theirbellyisdarkgreyorblack.
Blue-spottedsalamandersprotectthemselvesbymakingastickybad-tastingliquidthatsqueezesout
iftheyareattacked.Theywillalsowiggletheirtailtogettheanimaltobitethetailinsteadofitshead
orbody.
AdultSizes:Between10cmto12cmlong.
Diet:Worms,slugs,smallinsectsandothertinyanimals.
DenningandHabitat:Theyspendwinterhibernatingundergroundintheholesleftbyanimalsthat
burrowintotheearth.Blue-spottedsalamandersliveinforestswherethegroundisdamp.
Predators:Notmanyanimalswilleatblue-spottedsalamandersbecausetheyhaveabadtaste.
Snakesarelikelytheirmainpredators.
LifeHistory:Blue-spottedsalamandersbreedinpondsthatfillfrommeltingsnoworinsmall
permanentponds.TheymateandlayeggsinAprilorMay.Femaleslayabout500eggs,oneatatime
orinsmallbunchesonsticksorplantsonthebottomofthepond.Theeggstakeabout30daysto
hatch.
16
BarredTigerSalamander
(Ambystomamavortium)
©snr.unl.edu/herpneb
Thebarredtigersalamanderisthelargestsalamanderintheworldthatlivesonland.Someyoung
tigersalamandersnevergrowup.Theykeeptheirgillsandtailfin,andstayinthewateralltheirlives.
AdultSizes:Upto33cmlong.
Diet:Smallanimalssuchasspiders,wormsandsnails.
DenningandHabitat:Duringthewintertheydigdeepintothegroundorgodownaholeleftby
anotheranimaltohibernate.Tigersalamandersliveinforestsandgrasslandsnearpondsorwetlands.
Predators:Tigersalamanderstastebadtosomebirdsandmammals.Adultsareeatenbytheplains
gartersnake.Youngsalamandersareeatenbywadingbirdslikeherons,andbyturtlesandsnakes.
LifeHistory:TigersalamandersmateandlaytheireggsindeeppondsinAprilandMay.Thefemale
laysabout100eggs.Shelaysthemoneatatimeonrocks,plantsorsticksonthebottomofthepond.
Ittakes20daysfortheeggstohatch.Theyoungcanchangetoadultshapeandleavethepondin
August,about60daysafterhatching.Sometimestheyoungsalamanderstakemorethanonesummer
togrowbigenoughtochangetoadultshape.Theycanstayinthepondoverwinterandkeepgrowing
throughthenextsummer.
17
EasternTigerSalamander
(Ambystomatigrinum)
©michigan.gov
Theircolourisvariable,fromdarkgreytoalmostblackwithcreamtoyellowcolouredbars,blotches
ordistinctspots.
AdultSizes:Upto33cmlong.
Diet:Smallanimalssuchasspiders,wormsandsnails.
DenningandHabitat:Thesesalamandersburrowbelowthefrostlineorusesanimalburrowsorother
holes.Mayremainactivethroughoutwinter.Theyarefoundinmoistgrasslandsorwoodlandsnear
wetlands.
Predators:Tigersalamanderstastebadtosomebirdsandmammals.Adultsareeatenbytheplains
gartersnake.Youngsalamandersareeatenbywadingbirdslikeherons,andbyturtlesandsnakes.
LifeHistory:Adultsmovetopondsandmateearlyinspring,oftenbyearlyApril.Eggsattachedto
submergedvegetationhatchin3-4weeksandlarvaecangrowlargeenoughtotransformbylate-July.
Inpermanentpondslarvaemaycontinuetogrowanddevelopforseveralyearsbeforetransforming
toadultformandtakingupaterrestrialhabit.Someindividualsremainpermanentlyinlarvalform,
butbecomesexuallymatureandcanbreed.
18
CommonMudpuppy
(Necturusmaculosus)
©images.nationalgeographic.com
Adultmudpuppieskeeptheirgillsalltheirlife.Theyhave3pairsofgillsthatlooklikeredfeathers
attachedtothesidesofthehead.
AdultSizes:Upto49cm,butmostadultarearound20cmto30cmlong.
Diet:Smallfish,crayfish,insectsandsnails.
DenningandHabitat:Mudpuppiesliveonlyinwater.Theycanbefoundinlakes,pondsandrivers.
Theyremainactiveduringthewinter.
Predators:Northernpike,smallmouthedbass,greatblueheron,divingduckslikecommon
mergansersandsnappingturtles.
LifeHistory:Mudpuppiesmateinthefall,andfemaleslayeggsthenextspring.InAprilorMaythey
layabout100eggs.Theystickthemtorocksorsticksinthewater.Ittakesabout30to50daysforthe
eggstohatch.Thefemalestayswithhereggsuntiltheyhatch.Ayoungmudpuppygrowsitslegs
whenitisabout1monthold.Itmaytakemorethan2yearsforamudpuppytogrowtoadultsize.
19
NON-AVIAN REPTILES
ThetermreptilederivesfromtheLatinrept-,meaning‘crawled’.Areptileisclassifiedasany
extantectothermicsauropsid.Sauropsidisagroupingbasedontheevolutionoftheamnioticeggs
(eggswithanextraembryonicmembrane(s)enclosingtheyolksac).Reptilesareconsideredtobea
paraphyletic(incomplete)groupingasitexcludesbirds(asshowninaboveimage).However,forthe
purposesofthisdocumentwewillfocusonnon-avianreptiles.Mostreptileslayeggs(oviparous),
howeversomespeciesmayhaveyounghatchfromeggsstoredinsidethemother(e.g.,Red-sided
gartersnake),whichisknownasovoviviparous,andsomelizardsandsnakesmayhaveyounglive
born(viviparity).
TurtlesareallfromthefamilyTestudinesthatincludesover300species,groupedintotwo
distinctcategories.Pleurodira(“side+neck”)includesturtlesthatcanbendneckhorizontallyto
retracthead.Howeverthisgroupisnowrestrictedtothesouthernhemisphere.Cryptodira(“hidden+
neck”)includesturtlesthatcanbendneckinverticalSshapetoretracthead.Mostturtlesarefound
inthisgroup(~230species).Tortoisesareatruegrouping,includingapproximately50species.Sea
turtlesspecificallyadaptedtoliveintheseawithflippers,andotherphysiologicaladaptations
allowingthemtodivedeepinthesea.Turtlesareclassifiedbythestructureoftheirshellandskeleton
aswellasmanyanatomicaladaptations(e.g.,theirbloodcanbypasstheirlungswhentheyare
holdingtheirbreath).Althoughcurrentevidencesuggeststurtlesarethemostcloselyrelatedto
crocodiliansandbirds,thisgroupingisstillhotlycontested.
Lepidosoaursincludetuatra(2spp.)andsquamates(lizards(4800spp.)andsnakes(>2900
spp.)).Thesespeciesarepredominantlyterrestrial,withwater-impermeableoverlappingscales.
Tuatarashavespinesontherebackandtheonlytworemainingspeciesarenowfoundonsmall
islandsoffthecoastofNewZealand.Theyhavetworowsofteethontheirupperjawandonerowof
teethontheirlowerjaw.Interestingly,theyarealsonocturnalandhavelifespansofupto100years.
Lizardsandsnakesareknownassquamates,assnakesevolvedfromlizards.Theyarecharacterizedby
changestotheirskullsandjaws(e.g.,largergapeallowingthemtoswallowfoodandmoremusclesto
increasebitingforce),aswellastheirdeterminantgrowth(donotcontinuallygrowthroughtheirlife,
likefish,crocodiles,andbirds).Squamatesaresplitintotwomajorgroups,theIguania(including
iguanasandchameleons)andScleroglossa(includinggeckos,skinks,monitorlizards,amphisbaenians
(elongateleglessburrowinglizards),andsnakes).Approximately80%ofsquamatesareoviparous.
Viviparity(livebirth)andovovivparityisfoundinover45lizardsand35snakes.Allboasandvipers,
someiguanids,chameleons,geckos,amphisbaenians,seasnakes,andapproximately45%ofskinks
havelivebirth.Interestingly,sixfamiliesoflizards(~15spp.)andonespeciesofsnakeexhibit
parthenogenesis,wheretheyproduceviableeggswithoutmating.
Manitobahassixsquamatesandtwospeciesofturtles.Mostofthesquamatesarevery
limitedintheirdistributionduetotemperatureconstraints.Intriguingly,theworldrecordforhighest
snakedensityisfoundinManitoba.Red-sidedgartersnakescongregateinthefallandspringatrock
outcropswheretheyhibernateduringthewinter.Thegreatconcentrationofsnakesinonearea
facilitatesmatinginthespring,whichfemalesstoreuntiltheyhavehadenoughfoodtogestatetheir
eggs.
20
Squamates
RedSidedGarterSnake
(Thamnophissirtalisparietalis)
©naturenorth.com
Thered-sidedgartersnakeisthemostabundantsnakeinManitoba.Itisonedistinctsubspeciesof
thecommongartersnake.Todifferentiatethered-sidedgarterfromtheplainsgartercomparethe
lateralyellowlinesalongthesidesoftheirbody.Red-sidedgartershavetheyellowlineonscalerow2
and3,whileplainsgarterhavetheirsonrow3and4.
Plainsgarter
Red-sidedgarter
AdultSizes:Femalesaretypicallylargerthanmalesofallyearclasses.Adultfemalesareover90cm
longwhilemalesreachamaximumlengthof75cm.
Diet:Frogs,leeches,tadpolesearthworms,androdents.
DenningandHabitat:Thesesnakeshibernateduringthewinter.Densitesincludetreeroots,shale
cliffs,rockpiles,sewers,foundations,animalburrows,rockyoutcropsandsinkholes.Denscontain
fromafewtoover10,000individuals.Thepreferredhabitatofthered-sidedgartersnakeisnear
pondsinareasofmoderatemoisture.
Predators:Magpies,owls,hawks,blackbears,skunksandracoons.
LifeHistory:Inthespring,snakesemergefromthedensandbreedintheareaimmediately
surroundingthedensites.Aseachfemaleemergesfromthedenstheyarepursuedbyanumberof
malesthatentwinethemselvesaroundherformingamatingball.Inlatesummertheyoungareborn,
afemalemaygivebirthto20youngonaverage.
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PlainsGarterSnake
(Thamnophisradix)
©en.wikipedia.org
ThePlainsgartersnakeisoneofthecoldesttolerantsnakes,occasionallyemergingfromhibernation
duringwarmwinterdays.
AdultSizes:Upto110cmlong,mostarelessthan70cm.
Diet:Frogs,toads,worms,tadpolesandsmallfish.
DenningandHabitat:Plainsgartersnakeshibernateinsmallabandonedmammalburrows,especially
groundsquirrelburrows,butmayalsohibernatearoundbuildingbasements.Theirpreferredhabitat
isgrasslandsoropenwoodlandsclosetoponds,lakes,streamsandmarsheswithintheprairie.
Predators:Magpies,owls,hawks,blackbears,skunksandracoons.
LifeHistory:PlainsGartersnakeislive-bearingratherthanegg-laying.MatingtakesplaceinlateApril
orearlyMayshortlyafteremergencefromthewinterdens.Malesdonotremainneartheden
entrancesforextendedperiodsasoccursintheRed-SidedGarterSnake.From5-40youngareusually
borninmidtolatesummer.
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WesternHognoseSnake
(Heterodonnasicus)
©naturenorth.com
Themostcharacteristicfeatureofthissnakeisthatitsrostrum,or"nose",isupturnedlikeapig's,
givingthisspeciesitscommonname.Theyhaveavarietyofdefensemechanismsincludingrolling
overandplayingdead,withtheirtongueout(thecolouringonthebottomoftheirbodiesrepresents
rottingflesh)andtheymimicthesoundofarattlesnaketowardoffpredators.
©naturenorth.com
AdultSize:Upto150cmintotallength,thoughmostarelessthan80cm.
Diet:Toads,smallersnakesorlizards.Theyoccasionallyeatsmallbirdsormammalsandwillalsoeat
theeggsofotherreptilesorground-nestingbirds
DenningandHabitat:Theyhibernatedbelowthefrostlineeitherburrowinginsandysoilormaking
useofanimalburrows.Thehognosesnakelivesingrasslandsoropenwoodlandsinareaswithloose,
sandysoils.
Predators:Hawk,crow,coyote,fox,andraccoon.
LifeHistory:MatingtakesplaceinMay.Clutchesof2to25eggsarelaidinJulyinanestexcavatedin
looseorsandysoil.HatchlingsemergeinlateAugustorSeptember.
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SmoothGreenSnake
(Opheodrysvernalis)
©paherps.com
Theyarebrightgreen,withnomarkings.Theirbellyiswhiteorcreamcoloured.
AdultSize:Upto80cmlong,thoughmostarelessthan50cm.
Diet:Caterpillars,grasshoppers,spidersandbeetlelarvaearecommonfoods,buttheyarereported
toeatwormsandslugs,too.
DenningandHabitat:Thissnakehibernatesbelowthefrostlineinloosesoils.Anthillsmaybe
importantoverwinteringsitesforthisspecies.Theirhabitatincludesgrasslandsinareaswithloose,
sandysoils.
Predators:Largersnakes,birds,foxes,raccoons,housecats.
LifeHistory:MatingtakesplaceinMay;upto15eggsarelaidinlateJuly.Hatchingoccursabout4
weekslater,inlateAugust.
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NorthernRedbellySnake
(Storeriaoccipitomaculataoccipitomaculata)
©factzoo.com
NorthernRedbellySnakesarebestknownfortheirbrightredbelliesasthenamesdescribes.Their
backcanrangefromblacktolightbrown.
AdultSize:Upto40cmlong,butmostarelessthan30cm.
Diet:Worms,slugsandbeetlelarvae.
DenningandHabitat:Theyhibernatebelowthefrostlineinloosesoils.Anthillsmaybeimportant
overwinteringsitesforthisspecies.Theirmostcommonhabitatconsistsofmoistwoodlandsorareas
nearwetlands.
Predators:Birds,raccoons,foxes
LifeHistory:MatingtakesplaceinMay.Femalesgivebirthtoliveyoung,usually10-12inalitter,in
AugustorSeptember
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NorthernPrairieSkink
(Plestiodonseptentrionalis)
©naturenorth.com
TheNorthernPrairieSkinkisasmooth,shiny,alertlizard.TheNorthernPrairieSkinkhasan
interestingprotectiveadaptation.Whenpursuedbyapredator,theskinkwilluseitstailasa"decoy"
bydetachingit.Thetailwillcontinuetotwitchdistractingthepredatorwhiletheskinkscurriesfor
cover.
AdultSizes:Between12cmto20cm.
Diet:Crickets,grasshoppers,andspiders.Otherinsectsandinsectlarvaearesecondchoicefoods
DenningandHabitat:Skinkshibernatebelowthefrostline.Theirhabitatincludesgrasslandswith
sandysoil.Theyuselitterascoveraswellasburrowinginsandjustunderthesurface.
Predators:Westernhognosesnake,kestrels,crows,raccoons,skunksandlargefrogsortoads.
LifeHistory:Duringthebreedingseasonfrommid-MaytoearlyJune,maleskinksjawsandthroat
begintoturnadistinctive,brightorange.Afteragestationperiodofaroundfortydaysthefemalelays
anaverageofeighteggsinasmallnestcavity.Thefemaleskinkbroodsherclutchofeggsuntilthey
hatch,afterwardsthefemalewillleavethenest.
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Turtles
CommonSnappingTurtle
(Chelydraserpentina)
©naturenorth.com
Snappingturtleshavealongneckandlongtailwhichstretchedoutcanbetwicethelengthofitsshell.
Colourisdarkbrown,youngerspecimensappearnearlyblack.Snappingturtlesareunabletoretract
theirheadsintotheirshell.
AdultSizes:shelllengthofupto50cm,thoughmostadultsarecloserto30cmshelllength.Females
arelargerthanmales.
Diet:CommonSnappingTurtleseatmanyfoodsources.Theyeataquaticanimals,includingfish,
amphibians,crayfish,snailsandotherinvertebrates,butalsoconsumeaquaticplantsandcarrion.
Smallmammalsandbirdsfloatingonthewatersurfacemaybeeatenaswell.
DenningandHabitat:Overwintersonthebottomoflarger,permanentwaterbodies.Itshabitat
consistsofpermanentwaterbodiessuchaslakes.
Predators:Commonsnappingturtleshavefewpredatorsasadults,buttheireggsareeatenbycrows,
mink,skunks,foxes,andraccoons.
LifeHistory:MatingprobablytakesplaceinMay.Clutchesofupto80eggsarelaidinJuneinlooseor
sandysoil.HatchlingsemergeinSeptember.
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WesternPaintedTurtle
(Chrysemyspictabelli)
©rivista-cdn.reptilesmagazine.com
TheWesternpaintedturtleisadistinctsubspeciesofpaintedturtle.Itisthelargestandmostbrightly
patternedofthevarioussubspecies.
AdultSizes:Shelllengthofupto25cm,thoughmostaremuchsmaller.Femalesarelargerthanmales
Diet:PaintedTurtlesconsumebothplantsandanimals,butarelesspredaciousthanSnappingTurtles.
Theyeatawidearrayofaquaticanimals,plantsandcarrion.
DenningandHabitat:Theyinhabitpermanentwaterbodies.Westernpaintedturtlesoverwinteron
thebottomofthesamewaterbodies.
Predators:Adultsareeatenbyracoons,hawks,andcrows.Theeggsareeatenbygartersnakes,
crows,skunks,raccoons,badgers,andfoxes
LifeHistory:MatingtakesplaceinMay.Femaleslayupto20eggsinJuneinlooseorsandysoil,often
somedistancefromthewater.HatchingoccursinlateSeptemberorOctober,buttheyoungremain
inthenestoverwinterandemergethefollowingspring.Hatchlingwesternpaintedturtlesfreeze
solidwhileinthenest.
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References
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October29th2015.Retrievedfrom
http://www.carcnet.ca/english/reptiles/species_accounts/snakes/T_radix/radix2.php
COSEWIC.2002.AssessmentandStatusReportontheGreatPlainsToadBufocognatusinCanada.
AccessedNovember25th2015.Retrievedfrom
http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_great_plains_toad_e.pdf
ErrolJ.Bredin.BiologyoftheNorthernPrairieSkink.NatureNorth.AccessedNovember6th2015.
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JoeCrowley.2015.SmoothGreensnake(Opheodrysvernalis).ReptilesandAmphibiansofOntario.
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