How many times did you swipe back and forth?
Well, now that you’ve seen all of these adorable frogs putting on a show you’re sure to remember, you’re probably wondering, who CAN it be, now? Or rather, what species can these be, now?
It’s time for the curtain call, so here are the stars of this show:
1. Barking tree frog
- The biggest frog stars in the Southeast US (heavy-bodied and over two inches in length)
- Incredible voice actors (named for how their call sounds like a pack of barking dogs)
2. Green treefrog
- Timeless style (classic, bright-green coloration, with accent stripes of white or yellow)
- Dedicated to climbing the ladder (sticky toe pads make them adept climbers)
3. Wood frog
- Signature makeup looks (recognizable by the dark mask that runs across its eyes, giving it a “masked” look)
- Got their start in New York, NOT Los Angeles (ranges across most of North America, even into Alaska and above the Arctic Circle)
4. Squirrel treefrog:
- Fashion pioneer (can range in color from brown to yellowish brown to green, and be plain or spotted)
- Not afraid of the spotlight (often found near humans, under porch lights, and in backyard gardens)
While we know a lot about these frogs, we also know something about you: holiday shopping season is here, and you’re still looking for the right gift ideas for your friends and family.
Well, look no further! Shop all things scaly and slimy at ARC’s shop today! Shop at ARCProtects.threadless.com or through the link in our bio.
Photos:
1. Barking treefrog, John White
2. Barking treefrog, Ryan McGreevy
3. Green treefrog, Bob Hamilton
4. Green treefrog, Ryan McGreevy
5. Wood frog, John White
6. Wood frog, Chris Kayler
7. Squirrel treefrog, John White
8. Squirrel treefrog, Ryan McGreevy
#ARCProtects #ConserveHerps #Wildlife #Conservation #Nature #WildlifeConservation #Amphibians #AmphibianConservation #Frogs #FrogsOfIG #Treefrog
Is your volume on? Because, if it isn’t, you’re missing out 🧚
What are these tiny, magical forms, you ask?
Why, they’re eastern spadefoot tadpoles, of course!
Although some people add “toad” to their common name, this fascinating species is not a true toad. Rather, it’s a member of a toad-like family of amphibians called Scaphiopodidae, also known as American spadefoots.
Spadefoots are known for their bright, yellow eyes, vertical pupils (unlike the horizontal pupils of true toads), and the dark, spade-like spur on their back feet, which equips them for burrowing.
Thanks to this “spade,” adult eastern spadefoots are able to spend almost their entire lives underground. The spur acts as a wonderful tool, allowing them to quickly dig burrows in the sandy soils of their preferred habitats.
Eastern spadefoots are explosive breeders, waiting for the onset of heavy rains as the signal to emerge, gather, and breed in whatever fishless bodies of water they can find. While they prefer to reproduce in temporary ponds and pools, they have also been known to successfully breed in flooded fields and roadside ditches!
Tadpoles will morph into adults, leaving their underwater world behind for a new life, underground.
Do you want more magical amphibian content on your feed? Follow our page today!
Video:
Eastern spadefoot tadpoles: Matthew Goetz
#ARCProtects #ConserveHerps #Herp #HerpsOfInstagram #HerpsDaily #Herpetology #ProtectHerps #FrogsAndToads #Tadpoles #EasternSpadefootToad #Scaphiopodidae
The vibes we’re bringing into late summer. 💤
If you were a little pine woods treefrog, you’d love this cozy, humid hideaway, warmed by the sun and offering shelter from the heat.
But these pitcher plants aren’t just super cool carnivorous bug traps; they’re an irreplaceable native species that provide microhabitats for frogs, spiders, and beetles!
Unfortunately, invasive plants, logging, fire suppression, and wetland habitat loss are threatening pitcher plant bogs, making them harder to find in a landscape that is increasingly less suited to host them.
That’s why ARC restores wetlands in our South Carolina PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas), removing invasive plant species and using controlled burns to promote native plant species. The hard work this entails can pay off fast, with wildlife like gopher frogs, spotted turtles, and northern pinesnakes quickly moving into newly restored habitats to make them their home once again.
If you love this vibe, follow our page today. 💚
Videos: José Garrido
#ARCProtects #ConserveHerps #Herp #HerpsOfInstagram #HerpsDaily #Herpetology #HerpingTheGlobe #Herpetofauna #NativeWildlife #Ecology #HabitatConservation #WildAnimals #Wildlife #Conservation #WildlifeConservation #Nature #Herping #Amphibians #AmphibianOfIG #Frog #Frogs #FrogsOfIG #FrogsOfInstagram #ConservationCareers #Biologists #FieldBiologists #NativePlantsMatter #AmphibianConservation #WetlandConservation #ProtectWhatYouLove
“Basically a bog garden in a kiddie pool.”
We’re not talking about how your kids left the backyard. Those are the words ARC Project Coordinator Nicole Dahrouge used to describe the soft-release enclosures built this year for Threatened frosted flatwoods salamanders.
This salamander is one of the Southeast’s rarest amphibians. Restricted to just a few remaining populations in Florida and Georgia, they have experienced steep declines due to widespread habitat loss and degradation.
Earlier in the breeding season, ARC Biologists in Georgia were hopeful. With our partners, we found more eggs, larvae (like tadpoles), and adults than in the previous two field seasons combined, and even documented two previously unknown occupied wetlands. But then a long, sustained drought set in.
Seasonal ponds dried months too early, and many eggs either never hatched or dried up before larvae could complete their development. To face these challenges, we acted quickly to salvage as many animals as possible.
In Georgia, more than 1,000 headstarted (captive-raised) larvae were released into the only wetland that retained water long enough to support them. When even those areas began drying, the remaining larvae were held through metamorphosis and later released as terrestrial juveniles into the dampest habitat available.
In Florida, there was no standing water left at all. Instead of releasing larvae into wetlands, ARC biologists and partners built miniature artificial wetlands by hand. These soft-release enclosures gave the larvae a protected place to continue developing until they could disperse into the surrounding habitat during rainy, humid nights.
Want to learn more about the conservation strategies helping frosted flatwoods salamanders recover? Read the full blog post here: ARCProtects.org/salamanderdrought (link in bio).
Frosted flatwoods salamander photos (handled under permit):
1. Egg, Lucas Geurs
2. Larvae before soft release, Nicole Dahrouge
3. Soft release pens, Nicole Dahrouge
4. Adult in captive breeding program, Nicole Dahrouge
5. Adult perching in wiregrass, Lucas Geurs
#ARCProtects #Amphibians #Salamander #FrostedFlatwoodsSalamander
Reptiles have been dragged into our vocabulary for centuries. They would like to formally request a rebrand on the following idioms and insults…
“They’re a snake in the grass” makes snakes sound cunning. They’re just masters of camouflage and use heat and chemical cues to remain aware of their surroundings.
“They’re coming out of their shell” makes turtles sound shy and meek. Their shells are one of their best defense mechanisms, and they know how to prioritize safety, temperature, and timing.
“They have a venomous personality” makes venomous snakes sound manipulative. Their venom and specialized fangs can be used to subdue prey or as defense against predators, but it’s all about survival rather than drama.
“They’re crying crocodile tears” makes crocodiles sound insincere. Those tears are actually just gland secretions that protect their eyes. Humans are the only species known to shed emotional tears.
“Shedding their skin” is actually a regular occurrence for reptiles, but they’re not leaving poor habits behind after a self-discovery experience. They shed their skin to accommodate growth and protect their skin’s health.
“They’re as slow as a turtle” is a phrase used by someone who has never seen a Florida softshell turtle dart into the water. They’re shockingly fast!
All silliness aside, it’s important for reptiles to be appreciated and respected, because species that are misunderstood are less likely to be protected.
They’re not villains; they’re vital. Want to see more appreciation for reptiles in your inbox? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, at tinyurl.com/subscribeARC.
Link in bio.
Photos:
1. Yarrow's spiny lizard, Ryan McGreevy
2. Southern hognose snake, Ryan McGreevy
3. Eastern box turtle, Simone Altonen
4. Eastern copperhead, Ryan McGreevy
5. American crocodile, Jason G. Hedges, CC-BY-NC
6. Common gartersnake, Norma Van Alstine, CC-BY-NC
7. Florida softshell turtle, Eitan Grunwald
#ARCProtects #reptiles #wildlife #conservation #nature
“I love you. I’m sorry.”
Sorry that so many species are disappearing faster than we can explain to the next generation why they mattered. Sorry that we humans have pushed so many species to the brink of extinction, or beyond. And sorry that it took us so long to begin turning that tide.
This story may be sad, but it is not over! And we want to remember all the ways that we can still fight for wildlife.
Ready to get started? Here are four impactful ways you can be involved:
1. Connect with nature
Visit local parks, wetlands, wildlife refuges, and public lands. Support them by exploring them, learning about them, and encouraging the next generation to do the same.
2. Restore and protect habitats
Plant native grasses, trees, and shrubs. If you can’t do this at home, volunteer to help local land and wildlife organizations remove invasive species and restore habitats.
3. Make everyday choices that add up
Reduce waste when possible, recycle responsibly, and encourage the people around you to care about conservation too.
4. Stay involved and informed
Join citizen science projects, advocate for land protections, and stay civically engaged at the local, state, and federal levels by using your voice and resources to protect the natural world.
Your efforts could make all the difference for your local wildlife. Pick a way to help and start today!
Videos (wildlife handled under permit):
1. Tadpole found during dipnet survey, Steph Haan-Amato
2. Eastern ratsnake relocation, Steph Haan-Amato
3. Headstarted (captive-raised) frosted flatwoods salamander larvae release, Maddie Prickett
4. Barbour’s map turtle, Nicole Dahrouge
5. Carolina gopher frog, Kevin Hutcheson
#ARCProtects #Wildlife #Conservation #ConservationEducation #FutureConservationist
Wood you believe us if we told you that wood turtles love to tap dance?
These turtles stomp their feet and tap their shell on the ground, which is thought to mimic the vibrations of falling rain or a predator. When it rains, worms often come to the surface. Some emerge during rain to more easily move from one place to another, and some may head aboveground to escape an underground predator, like a mole. Either way, the worms emerge, and the stomping wood turtle is waiting to make a meal of them.
In addition to fancy footwork, these turtles have beautiful eyes that are usually brown with some degree of lighter brown or yellow flecking around the pupil. The piercing gaze of this wood turtle is likely focused on its next meal. In addition to worms, wood turtles eat a varied diet that includes leaves, berries and other fruit, mushrooms, algae, tadpoles, slugs, snails, and insects.
Starting around November in some parts of their range, wood turtles will spend months at the bottom of streams, not coming up for air at all. During brumation (like hibernation), they slow their metabolism way down to 5% of their typical warm-weather metabolism, stop eating, and absorb the oxygen they need from the water.
Knock on wood. We can ensure that this little turtle thrives throughout its range. It’s found from Virginia north through most of New England to Maine, into Canada, and west into Michigan and Minnesota. The wood turtle is considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in all 17 states in which it occurs and is considered Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Tap dance over to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, to learn how ARC supports reptiles and amphibians across the country. Subscribe today at tinyurl.com/subscribeARC
Link in bio.
Photos:
1. Amy Comerford, CC-BY-NC
2 & 3. Elinor Osborn, CC-BY-NC
4. Karamjeet Khalsa, CC-BY-NC
#ARCProtects #herpetology #reptile #wildlife #turtle
Maestro, cue the crescendo. We’ve found an eastern hellbender.
It takes a lot to get to these moments. But, a sight like this might just be waiting on the other side, and that’s enough to keep us going!
Conservation work rarely happens quickly, and great results take great time, effort, and resources.
At ARC, we focus our resources where they can have the biggest impacts: PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas). These are the most important places for amphibian and reptile conservation in the United States. In these areas, like the Southern Appalachians PARCA seen here, our on-the-ground conservation focuses on three main parts:
Population discovery, inventory, and monitoring
Before we can protect a species, we need to know where it exists and how populations are doing. Our work often begins by identifying where rare species occur and how many individuals remain in an area.
Research and investigation
Once we gather baseline data, we can ask critical questions like, “Why is this species declining?” and, “What threats are impacting it most?” ARC biologists use field research, habitat assessments, and long-term monitoring to find answers.
Active conservation
Once we understand the challenges, we can take action. From habitat restoration to population recovery efforts, we work directly in the field to support ecosystems and give imperiled species a better chance at survival.
Searching for, finding, and carefully measuring this eastern hellbender before returning it to the wild is all in a day’s (or a few weeks’) work for our dedicated team. Patience is key, and endurance is necessary. But through it all, we’re motivated by our unwavering goal to protect these irreplaceable members of our ecosystems.
Want to keep learning about the work we’re doing? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, and we’ll send updates straight to your inbox!
Sign up today at tinyurl.com/subscribeARC. Link in bio.
Videos (wildlife handled under permit):
1 & 4. Steph Haan-Amato
2. Ivy Bryan
3. José Garrido
#ARCProtects #Salamander #Hellbender #FieldBiologist #Conservation
This party is BYOW (Bring Your Own Wetland).
For one of the Southeast’s rarest amphibians, that became a very real conservation strategy this year.
The frosted flatwoods salamander is a federally-listed Threatened species that now survives in only a handful of populations across Florida and Georgia. These salamanders depend on seasonal wetlands that normally fill with winter rains, allowing eggs to hatch and larvae to develop before the ponds dry again in late spring.
But this year, during the record drought in much of the Southeast, many of those wetlands never filled at all. That meant ARC biologists and our partners were suddenly facing a devastating possibility: an entire year with little to no successful reproduction in some populations.
So, our Florida team improvised.
In dry wetland basins in the Panhandle, biologists built miniature artificial wetlands by hand using industrial cement mixing trays, wetland plants, shade cloth, and predator-exclusion caging. The goal was to give headstarted (captive raised) salamander larvae (like tadpoles) a place to safely continue developing until they developed into their land-dwelling stage.
More than 500 larvae have already been released using these soft-release enclosures, with additional salamanders still awaiting release. Once transformed, the salamanders leave the water and slowly disperse into the surrounding habitat during rainy or humid nights.
Rather than boosting populations during a good year, our focus shifted to bridging this species through a harsh one.
Read the full blog post at ARCProtects.org/salamanderdrought to learn how ARC biologists and partners adapted in real time to help keep this species moving forward through an extreme drought year. Link in bio.
Photos:
1. Adult frosted flatwoods salamander, Jake Scott
2. Soft release pens, Nicole Dahrouge
3. Late stage larva, handled under permit, Rob Tiffin
4. Frosted flatwoods salamander habitat, Lucas Geurs
#ARCProtects #WildlifeConservation #Amphibians #Salamander #FrostedFlatwoodsSalamander
From the rocky deserts of the Southwest…
Coming in at just a few inches long…
With top-notch night vision and lightning-fast moves…
The western banded gecko!
This lightweight champion may not look intimidating, but when the lights go out, they dominate the arena (and insect populations). Their striking banded pattern with small, smooth scales allows them to blend into sand and rocks. Moveable eyelids shield their eyes from sandy conditions while thin, vertical pupils protect their eyes from bright light and help them see in low-light conditions.
When threatened, they warn potential predators by making a chirping or squeaking noise. It’s probably terrifying to a predator, but to the human ear, it’s pretty adorable. When this sound doesn’t work, they can drop their tails, which will continue to wiggle for a short period of time while they make a break for it.
When it’s time to strike, this compact competitor turns into one lean mean killing machine. Their low stature and silent agility allow them to stalk beetles, spiders, termites, and even small scorpions. To subdue a scorpion, they engage in a shake feeding behavior. These little lizards very quickly swing their heads and upper bodies and slam the scorpion against the ground.
They may be strong little fighters, but western banded geckos still face the continuous threat of habitat loss and degradation. ARC works to protect amphibians and reptiles on an ecosystem level, implementing a strategy that protects and connects habitats in PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas) across the country.
Now, it’s your turn to step into the ring. Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, and get ringside access to all of our latest amphibian and reptile news: tinyurl.com/subscribeARC. Link in bio.
Photos:
1. Mason Salem, CC-BY-NC
2. Orion M, CC-BY-NC
3. Rachel Romine, CC-BY-NC
4. Tom Mills, CC-BY-NC
#ARCProtects #reptiles #wildlife #conservation #lizard
South Carolina called. They want you to hang out at their temporary wetlands.
There’s a whole lot of chatter happening in an ecosystem in the South, and we’ve got our ears to the ground to pick it up. But we’re not the only ones trying to read the vibe(rations).
In the Francis Marion PARCA (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area) in South Carolina, a plethora of amphibians and reptiles are found across the landscape. From burrowing eastern spadefoots to marbled salamanders under moist logs, the senses of many species here are highly attuned to a special thrum: rainfall.
Dumping water into shallow depressions, thunderstorms in this habitat create temporary breeding conditions. The fishless pools created by these storms provide a safer haven for eggs, tadpoles, and salamander larvae (like tadpoles) to begin developing.
Beyond these seasonal puddles, spotted turtles and northern pinesnakes depend on the well-drained, sandy soils of this landscape to keep their eggs dry and concealed beneath the earth.
But this PARCA is a fickle one, having its liveliness slowly reduced as fire suppression, habitat fragmentation, and drought have threatened its stability. But, one to never let the line go silent, ARC is stepping in.
Here, we’re restoring habitats, conducting prescribed burns, and monitoring populations of imperiled species. With these efforts, we’re doing our best to support all the gabbing this landscape can hold.
Want your inbox to look like this? Then you should subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, and we’ll send conservation updates straight to your inbox. Now that’s something to chirp about!
Subscribe at tinyurl.com/subscribeARC (link in bio).
Photos:
1. Marbled salamander, Chris Kayler
2. Eastern spadefoot, Ryan McGreevy
3. Eastern narrowmouth toad, Sara Viernum
4. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Parker Gibbons
5. Northern pinesnake, Eitan Grunwald
6. Carolina gopher frog, Ryan McGreevy
7. Southern hognose snake, Ab Abercrombie
8. Biologists (wildlife handled under permit), Emilly Nolan
9. Spotted turtle, Jess Meck
10. Oak toad, Kevin Hutcheson
#ARCProtects #SouthCarolina #Wildlife #Amphibian #Reptile
Parenting books? Never heard of them.
These amphibians and reptiles march to the beat of their own motherhood drum. This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the weird, wild, and sometimes hands-off parenting of a few different species…
The Strategist
Wood frogs seem to have a color-coded calendar. They allow their bodies to freeze through the winter so they can be the first to start the mating season in the spring. They know exactly when to lay their eggs and which seasonal ponds are best suited for tadpole living.
The Survivor
Common snapping turtles are the opposite of a helicopter parent, but they do face the elements to find the perfect nesting site. They often travel up to one mile before they dig a hole and lay up to 50 eggs. Females cover the eggs with soil to hide them from predators. Then, their job is done, and they’re back to their regular 9 to 5.
The Planner
Eastern box turtles want to make sure every box is checked before nesting. The female seeks out the right sandy soil, ideal temperatures and perfect timing to give her little ones the best chance at life. She can also store sperm for up to four years, giving her extra time to find just the right conditions.
The Protector
Female timber rattlesnakes, found in much of the Eastern US, are a bit more involved. They often den in groups with closely related females and they give live birth (in this case, ovoviviparity), and stay with the neonates (babies) for a brief period.
From hovering to hands-off, these wild moms all have the same goal: give the next generation a chance to thrive.
This Mother’s Day, scale up your celebration by tagging your mom or sending her this post to let her know you love her!
Photos
1. Wood frog, tcluderay, CC-BY-NC
2. Common snapping turtle, Jean-Marc Vallières, CC-BY-NC
3. Eastern box turtle, Eitan Grunwald
4. Timber rattlesnake, Marco Zozaya, CC-BY-NC
#ARCProtects #amphibian #reptile #conservation #MothersDay
