Reptiles and Amphibians

Informal observations by individuals along the river have identified six species of turtles, ten species of snakes, eight species of frogs and toads, and four types of salamanders living in the Lamprey River corridor. For details, please see Appendix D of the Lamprey River Resource Assessment from 1994.

Turtles

In 1993 and 1994, David Carroll, respected naturalist and artist, surveyed the river from Newmarket to Raymond for turtles. He discovered that all six of New Hampshire’s native turtle species (Blanding's, musk, painted, snapping, spotted, and wood) live near the Lamprey. He was particularly glad to find Blanding's turtles (endangered in New Hampshire) and spotted and wood turtles (threatened in New Hampshire). 

In order for these turtles to continue to live on the Lamprey and its tributaries, they and their habitats need to be protected.

  • Maintain natural water flow levels in the river and wetlands.
  • Protect riverbanks and upland corridors from development for nesting and travel.
  • Let beavers create and maintain wetland areas.
  • Leave bushes and natural woody material in and along the river.
  • Leave turtles in their natural homes and never take them home as pets.
  • Drive slowly on roads in turtle areas and help them across if possible.
  • Do not let children or dogs harass turtles. 

 

Blanding's turtle, NH endangered. Note the yellow chin and throat. Photo by Jon Bromley
Blanding's turtle, NH endangered. Note the yellow chin and throat. Photo by Jon Bromley
musk turtle, common but rarely seen. Note the well-rounded shell covered by smelly algae. Almost entirely aquatic. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
musk turtle, common but rarely seen. Note the well-rounded shell covered by smelly algae. Almost entirely aquatic. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
painted turtle, commonly seen sunbathing on logs and rocks. Shell has red pattern along edge, but often appears black. Photo by Paul Fuseo, http://www.ct.gov/
painted turtle, commonly seen sunbathing on logs and rocks. Shell has red pattern along edge, but often appears black. Photo by Paul Fuseo, http://www.ct.gov/
snapping turtle, common. Shell is jagged and appears to be too small for the long neck and tail, especially when older. Be cautious of the head when approaching. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
snapping turtle, common. Shell is jagged and appears to be too small for the long neck and tail, especially when older. Be cautious of the head when approaching. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
spotted turtle, NH threatened. Note the bright yellow/orange spots on the shell and body. Photo by John J. Mosesso, http://images.nbii.gov/
spotted turtle, NH threatened. Note the bright yellow/orange spots on the shell and body. Photo by John J. Mosesso, http://images.nbii.gov/
wood turtle, NH species of concern. Note the orange skin on the throat and shoulders and the well-sculpted shell. Photo by Mike Jones, http://www.mass.gov/
wood turtle, NH species of concern. Note the orange skin on the throat and shoulders and the well-sculpted shell. Photo by Mike Jones, http://www.mass.gov/

Snakes

Ten species of snakes are found in the area around the Lamprey River. To many people, snakes evoke fear and dread. Such reactions have bad consequences for snakes, people, and the environment. All snakes in New Hampshire are important in the ecosystem: they help to control rodent and insect populations, they are an important prey food for larger animals, they add to biological diversity, and they often serve as indicators of healthy ecosystems. Their absence from traditional habitats is a cause for concern.

Almost all snakes in New Hampshire are non-venomous. In fact, all are non-venomous except one, the timber rattlesnake. The timber rattler is very rare, in fact, it is critically emperiled, and is protected by law. The only known population in New Hampshire is in the Lamprey River landscape. Most snakes, including timber rattlers, are not aggressive to people and have no reason to be so unless they are provoked. They are most often observed resting in a sunny spot.

Many snakes are still common in New Hampshire, but all snakes suffer losses from encounters with cars, loss of habitat to development, and human fears that lead to deliberate killing. The best response to fear is education. The more we know about snakes, the less we have to fear, and the better we can protect these interesting and important animals. The best role we can play in assuring a positive future for snakes is to leave them alone.

black racer, NH threatened. A slender black snake measuring 36-60 inches. Black racers are glossy black on the top and bottom with a white throat and chin.Photo by Brendan Clifford
black racer, NH threatened. A slender black snake measuring 36-60 inches. Black racers are glossy black on the top and bottom with a white throat and chin.Photo by Brendan Clifford
common garter snake. A small striped snake measuring 18-26 inches. Has variable color patterns but typically has 2-3 yellow, brownish, or greenish stripes running vertically down the top and sides of the snake. Photo by Mike Marchand
common garter snake. A small striped snake measuring 18-26 inches. Has variable color patterns but typically has 2-3 yellow, brownish, or greenish stripes running vertically down the top and sides of the snake. Photo by Mike Marchand
eastern milk snake. A slender-bodied snake ranging from 24-36 inches. Photo by Mike Marchand
eastern milk snake. A slender-bodied snake ranging from 24-36 inches. Photo by Mike Marchand
northern brown snake. A small brown snake measuring 10-14 inches. The color may vary from light to dark brown. There are two parallel rows of dark spots running down the top of snakes with lighter colored scales in between. Photo by Brendan Clifford
northern brown snake. A small brown snake measuring 10-14 inches. The color may vary from light to dark brown. There are two parallel rows of dark spots running down the top of snakes with lighter colored scales in between. Photo by Brendan Clifford
northern red belly snake. A small snake measuring 8-10 inches, brown or gray body surface and a plain red belly. Photo by Mike Marchand
northern red belly snake. A small snake measuring 8-10 inches, brown or gray body surface and a plain red belly. Photo by Mike Marchand
northern ring neck snake. A slender, dark snake measuring 10-15 inches. Generally has a bluish-black or black surface color with a golden ring around the neck. The underside is uniformly yellow. Photo by Victor Young
northern ring neck snake. A slender, dark snake measuring 10-15 inches. Generally has a bluish-black or black surface color with a golden ring around the neck. The underside is uniformly yellow. Photo by Victor Young
northern water snake Photo by Mike Marchand A dark, heavily blotched snake measuring 24-42 inches. Often uses logs or branches overhanging the water for basking. Rarely found far from water. Sometimes the banding pattern is difficult to see dark sn
northern water snake Photo by Mike Marchand A dark, heavily blotched snake measuring 24-42 inches. Often uses logs or branches overhanging the water for basking. Rarely found far from water. Sometimes the banding pattern is difficult to see dark sn
ribbon snake. A very slender snake measuring 16-35 inches. Notice the mahogany color below the lateral stripe and the creamy lower jaw area. Photo by Mike Marchand
ribbon snake. A very slender snake measuring 16-35 inches. Notice the mahogany color below the lateral stripe and the creamy lower jaw area. Photo by Mike Marchand
smooth green snake. A thin, slender bright-green snake measuring 10-20 inches. The underside is white or a pale yellow. Photo by Brendan Clifford
smooth green snake. A thin, slender bright-green snake measuring 10-20 inches. The underside is white or a pale yellow. Photo by Brendan Clifford
timber rattlesnake (venomous) NH State endangered. Photo by Brendan Clifford A large, thick black snake measuring 36-60 inches. Has a large triangular head and keeled scales. At the end of the tail there is a large rattle.
timber rattlesnake (venomous) NH State endangered. Photo by Brendan Clifford A large, thick black snake measuring 36-60 inches. Has a large triangular head and keeled scales. At the end of the tail there is a large rattle.

Amphibians

Although amphibian populations along the Lamprey River have not been formally studied since 1994, other studies frequently note the presence of many amphibians, including some that are becoming rare. Amphibians that rely on vernal pools to breed warrant special attention. For more information about vernal pool amphibians, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has an excellent Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools. 

Wood frogs rely on vernal pools to breed. They have a song that is similar to duck quacks. These frogs overwinter under leaf litter on the forest floor and can partially freeze. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
Wood frogs rely on vernal pools to breed. They have a song that is similar to duck quacks. These frogs overwinter under leaf litter on the forest floor and can partially freeze. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
Blue-spotted salamanders rely on vernal pools to breed. They can mate with Jefferson salamanders to create hybrids. They are often confused with more common lead-phase redback salamanders. Photo by http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/
Blue-spotted salamanders rely on vernal pools to breed. They can mate with Jefferson salamanders to create hybrids. They are often confused with more common lead-phase redback salamanders. Photo by http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/
Redback salamanders are among the most commonly seen salamanders. They have a distinctive red stripe on the back, but during the unstriped "lead phase", they are often mistaken for a blue-spotted or Jefferson salamanders. Photo by http://www.nps.gov/
Redback salamanders are among the most commonly seen salamanders. They have a distinctive red stripe on the back, but during the unstriped "lead phase", they are often mistaken for a blue-spotted or Jefferson salamanders. Photo by http://www.nps.gov/
The red-spotted newt is New Hampshire's State Amphibian. Adults are aquatic and have a keeled tail to help them swim. The body color varies from olive green to orange/red. The spots are bright red outlined in black. Photo by http://www.wildlife.state.nh.
The red-spotted newt is New Hampshire's State Amphibian. Adults are aquatic and have a keeled tail to help them swim. The body color varies from olive green to orange/red. The spots are bright red outlined in black. Photo by http://www.wildlife.state.nh.
Spotted salamanders are large and have prominent yellow spots on an almost black body. They are rarely seen except on rainy migration nights when they try to cross roads to find suitable vernal pools to breed. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/
Spotted salamanders are large and have prominent yellow spots on an almost black body. They are rarely seen except on rainy migration nights when they try to cross roads to find suitable vernal pools to breed. Photo by http://www.ct.gov/