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List of amphibians and reptiles of West Virginia facts for kids

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Redspotted newt
An adult red-spotted, or eastern, newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
DesmognathusFuscusPageVA
The northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) with egg clutch
Bufo americanus Toad
The eastern American toad (Bufo americanus)
H crucifer USGS
The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
GrayTreeFrog2010
The gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor)
American Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Side 1800px
A female American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Rana pipiens
The northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens)
Pseudemys rubriventrisHolbrookV1P06
Northern red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)
Eastern Box Turtle-27527-1
Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina)
Clemmys guttataHolbrookV1P11A
Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
Waldbachschildkroete-01
Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
Washington DC Zoo - Pituophis melanoleucus 1
Northern pine snake (P. m. melanoleucus)
Snakehandling
Snake handlers worshipping with a timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Chelydra serpentinaHolbrookV1P23A
Eastern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Snakes
Black rat snakes (Pantherophis obsoletus) mating
Copperhead 003
Northern copperhead (A. c. mokasen)
Douthat State Park - Eastern fence lizard - 2
Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

89 species of amphibians (class Amphibia) and reptiles (class Reptilia) are known to inhabit the state of West Virginia. The ranges of some 34 salamander species, 15 species of frogs and toads, 21 species of snakes, 13 turtle species, and 6 lizard species extend into some portion of the state. Two of these — the Cheat Mountain salamander and West Virginia spring salamander — are endemic to West Virginia. The former species is considered threatened and the latter is considered endangered by federal authorities.

The taxa

The following letters indicate the likelihood of finding each species in West Virginia:

C Common Can be commonly seen in suitable habitat within current range.
U Uncommon Seldom seen because habitat restricted and/or behavior secretive.
R Rare Not often present even in suitable habitat.

In addition, the IUCN classifies three of these species as endangered (), two as vulnerable (), and six as near-threatened ().

Order Urodela (salamanders)

Family Cryptobranchidae (giant salamanders)

Family Proteidae (waterdogs and mudpuppies)

Family Ambystomatidae (mole salamanders)

Family Salamandridae (true salamanders)

Family Plethodontidae (lungless salamanders)

Order Anura (frogs)

Family Scaphiopodidae (American spadefoot toads)

Family Bufonidae (true toads)

Family Hylidae (tree frogs and allies)

Family Ranidae (true frogs)

Order Testudines (turtles)

Family Chelydridae (snapping turtles)

Family Emydidae (pond turtles)

Family Kinosternidae (mud turtles and musk turtles)

Family Trionychidae (softshells)

Order Squamata (scaled reptiles)

Family Phrynosomatidae (spiny lizards)

Family Teiidae (whiptails)

Family Scincidae (skinks)

Family Colubridae (colubrid snakes)

Family Viperidae (vipers)

See also

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List of amphibians and reptiles of West Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.