Audubon Woods is 40 acres of mixed hardwood forest that provides pristine habitat for a variety of amphibians and reptiles, also known as herpetofauna. It is common to see Wood Frogs hopping among the leaf litter on the forest floor. These woodland frogs blend in perfectly with their varying hues of brown and tan. Another species common to the preserve is the Northern Ribbon Snake. This small garter snake prefers habitats with water features and is easiest to identify by the light bar in front of the eye and upper labial scales (along the mouth). The preserve is also home to another amphibian, one you most likely will not see unless you know where to look. The Eastern Red-backed Salamander resides under leaf litter and dead logs. You can often flip over a log and find several of these friends. However, anytime you move something in nature, you should always return it to its original state. These logs are habitats for many small creatures. Always move the salamander before doing this and allow it to crawl back under after placement to avoid accidental injury. We love to see such an abundant amphibian and reptile population at a preserve because this is a good indicator of overall habitat health. Because of their sensitivity to environmental change, herpetofauna serve as indicator species and can alert us to detrimental changes before we may notice them. So while many may stop to smell the flowers while they are out at Audubon- I invite you to stop and smile at a salamander!
Above: Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Above: Northern Ribbon Snake
Above: Wood Frog
