Herpetofauna of Chippokes Plantation State Park

Results of a field survey conducted by the

Virginia Herpetological Society

27-28 April 1991

The Virginia Herpetological Society had its 1991 spring meeting on 27-28 April at Chippokes State Park, Surry Co. During the two day field trip, numerous habitats on and immediately adjacent to Chippokes State Park were sampled for their herpetofauna. The following is a list of the 25 species found, and the predomininant habitat associated with each species.

Amphibians

Desmognathus auriculatus (Southern dusky salamander) found in ravine seeps.

Eurycea bislineata cirrigera (Southern two-lined salamander) found in ravine seeps.

Notophythalmus viridescens (Red-spotted newt) found in cypress swamp.

Plethodon cinereus (Red-backed salamander) found on woodland ridge.

Plethodon chlorobryonis (Coastal Plain slimy salamander) found on

woodland ridge.

Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog) found in cypress swamp.

Rana clamitans (Green frog) found in cypress swamp.

Rana utricularia (Southern leopard frog) heard in cypress swamp.

Hyla chrysocelis (Gray treefrog) heard in woodland ravine.

Bufo terrestris x fowleri (Southern x Fowler's toad) found in field.

Reptiles

Eumeces fasiatus (Five-lined skink) found on upland ridge under bark.

Scincella lateralis (Ground skink) found under debris at edge of field.

Eumeces laticeps (Broad-head skink) found on upland ridge under bark.

Diadophis punctatus punctatus (Southern ringneck snake) found under debris on upland ridges.

Coluber constrictor (Black racer) found under debris at edge of field.

Elaphe obsoleta (Black rat snake) found under debris at edge of field.

Nerodia sipedon (Northern watersnake) in woodland pool.

Carphophis amoenus (Worm snake) found under debris at field edge.

Farancia erytrogramma (Rainbow snake) DOR adjacent cypress swamp.

Terrapene carolina (Eastern box turtle) found on upland ridge at edge of ravine.

Chelydra serpentina (Snapping turtle) found in cypress swamp.

Kinosternon subrubrum (Eastern mud turtle) found in cypress swamp.

Sternotherus odoratus (Stinkpot) found in cypress swamp.

Pseudemys rubriventris (Red-bellied turtle) found in cypress swamp.

Chrysemys picta (Eastern painted turtle) found in cypress swamp.

Salamanders 5

Frogs and Toads 5

Lizards 3

Snakes 6

Turtles 6

Compiled by Kurt A. Buhlmann and Michael S. Hayslett.