Snakes

It’s a good thing that both of us are absolutely fascinated by snakes because it is a snaky world up here in Calder! From the cute, small and harmless milk snakes to the huge, ominously, black rat snakes that prey on the vulnerable swallow chicks nesting in our carport rafters to the highly venomous but mostly docile rattlesnakes that live in our vegetable garden, we have quite the menagerie! It’s best to watch where you step when you are out in the woods and keep a good ear out for the tell-tale rattle sound to avoid stepping on one of our well-camouflaged friends who would definitely ruin your day with a well-aimed bite! It makes life here all the more exciting knowing that we share it with these beautiful but potentially deadly reptiles.

Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus — **Timber Rattlesnake**
*Crotalus horridus*

Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta — **Black Rat Snake**
*Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta*

Immature Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta — **Immature Black Rat Snake**
*Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta*

Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis — **Smooth Green Snake**
*Opheodrys vernalis*

Northern Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus edwardsii — **Northern Ringneck Snake**
*Diadophis punctatus edwardsii*

Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum — **Eastern Milk Snake**
*Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum*

**Eastern Garter Snake**
*Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis*

Other Reptiles & Amphibians

**Spotted Salamander**
*Ambystoma maculatum*

Allegheny Mountain Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus ochrophaeus — **Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander**
*Desmognathus ochrophaeus*

**Slimy Salamander**
*Plethodon glutinosis*

Eastern Newt Notophthalmus viridescens — **Eastern Newt**
*Notophthalmus viridescens*

Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina — **Eastern Box Turtle**
*Terrapene carolina carolina*