Amphibians & Reptiles of Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan: A Field Guide to All 77 Species & Subspecies

by Allen Blake Sheldon

Overview

Get the field identification guide to all 77 species and subspecies of reptiles and amphibians of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Did you know there are 77 kinds of snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, and even lizards in the Western Great Lakes States? This includes two species of rattlesnakes! Herpetologist Allen Blake Sheldon introduces all 77 species and subspecies, and he teaches you how to identify them. Hundreds of full-color photos and detailed illustrations help to ensure that you make accurate identifications, and useful text—including the author’s nature notes—familiarize you with these fascinating critters.

Book Features:

• All 77 species of herps found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
• An innovative format that makes field identification a snap
• Detailed life cycle illustrations
• Comparison charts of turtle hatchlings, frog tadpoles, and salamander larvae
• Detailed range maps for all species
• More than 250 color photos

The Upper Midwest is a great place to find, learn about, and identify reptiles and amphibians. This is the perfect guide to help you do it!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936571147
Publisher:	Kollath-Stensaas Publishers
Publication date:	02/22/2022
Series:	Naturalist Series
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	606,795
Product dimensions:	4.50(w) x 8.30(h) x (d)

About the Author

Allen Blake Sheldon, called “Blake” by family and friends, lives in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, where he roams the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, and Perrot State Park. His enjoyment of amphibians and reptiles began early, with herpetology becoming a major interest during eighth grade. He received a BA in biology from Winona State University, studied Spotted Turtles in Maryland and taught high school biology.

He has been seriously photographing amphibians, reptiles, and other wildlife for over 40 years, mostly in Minnesota and Wisconsin but also in North Carolina, Florida, the Southwest, and Belize. His photos have appeared in National Wildlife, National Geographic, Natural History, Wildlife Conservation, Sierra, Defenders, Audubon, and many other magazines, books, and calendars. He has promoted interest in and understanding of amphibians and reptiles by writing articles for magazines and by presenting programs for environmental and photography groups.

Read an Excerpt

American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeiana

Our biggest frog with a voracious appetite, devouring most any critter that will fit in its mouth.

Description: Length is 3.5 to 6 inches.

The American Bullfrog has a ridge, the tympanic fold, which curves over and behind the tympanum. It does not have dorsolateral ridges. The webbing of its foot does not reach the end of its longest toe. The male’s tympanum is much larger than its eye, while the female’s is about equal in size. The male’s throat is yellow.

Voice: The male’s call is a bass-toned, vibrating “jug-o’-rum” or “rrrruuuummm” that’s loudest in the middle. The vocalization is produced as the internal vocal pouch swells the throat.

Courtship, Mating & Eggs: In our area American Bullfrogs breed during June and July. The male is territorial, sometimes having to win a shoving match to keep other males 6 to 18 feet away. The female chooses the male and lays 5,000 to 20,000 black and white eggs during amplexus. The eggs float, black side up, in a thin sheet for 3 to 6 days until the tadpoles hatch. The tadpoles will overwinter once or twice, by hibernating in the bottom mud, before they metamorphose the following summer.

Range Notes: Southern Quebec to central Florida and west through Iowa and Nebraska to Texas and northern Mexico. Then New Mexico, southern Arizona, California, and north into British Columbia.

Nature Notes: American Bullfrogs are voracious eaters that don’t limit themselves to invertebrates. They have been known to eat fish, other frogs including bullfrogs, small turtles, birds, and mammals. Often a bullfrog gives a warning call as it avoids danger by leaping into the water. A captured bullfrog may scream like a cat. The sudden shriek might startle a predator into dropping it. It might also attract a bigger predator to distract the first one.

Table of Contents

Why Should I Be Interested in Creepy Crawly Critters?

What Are Amphibians & Reptiles?

Meet the Amphibians

Amphibian Biology

Frog Life-Cycle

Meet the Reptiles

Reptile Biology 101

Finding & Observing

Seasonal Guide to Herps

Catching & Studying

Conservation

How to Use This Field Guide

Salamanders (Order Caudata)

Larvae Comparison Chart

Frogs & Toads (Order Anura)

Tadpole Comparison Chart

Turtles (Order Testudines)

Turtle Hatchlings Comparison Chart

Lizards & Snakes (Order Squamata)

Glossary

Internet Resources

Photo Credits

Titles of Interest

Index