Floridians are lucky to share their state with a
wide variety of reptiles and amphibians. Thanks to its unique
geological history, climate and diverse plant communities, Florida
has 127 species of native herptiles or "herps" (from the Greek
herpeton, meaning "creeping thing"). With so many "creeping" (and
hopping, slithering and swimming) critters around, it's no wonder
that some may choose to make their home near where you choose to
make yours!
Below are representatives of the Florida
salamanders, frogs, turtles, lizards and snakes you are most likely
to run into in your backyard or side garden, plus some hints on how
to make them happy. If you are lucky enough to live next to some
woods, a stream or a pond, you may see some "herps" not listed
here. For pictures and more information about all of these, we
recommend the field guides listed in the "For
further information"
Managing for Herps in Your Yard
Most of Florida's reptiles and amphibians are small
and secretive and need a little bit of "wildness" in which to hide
and find food. You can improve the herp habitat in your yard by
doing the following:
Leave some leaf litter under your trees, shrubs and in the
garden.
- Encourage native ground cover, grasses and wildflowers; a
finely mowed lawn is attractive to people but not to most
herps.
- Leave stumps, rotting logs and stones where possible. Brush
piles and wood piles also provide valuable shelters and basking
sites.
- Wooden rail or slat fences not only brighten the yard but
provide lizards with perches on which to bask, catch insects and
set up territories.
- Try to discourage cats from using your yard; they are efficient
hunters and frequently destroy herps and other wildlife.
The slimy salamander, in its black
cloak studded with flecks of white or gold, is a handsome
mini-predator of small insects and spiders in leaf litter and
beneath rotting logs. Most often seen at night when the ground is
wet, its name derives from the viscous slime it produces to thwart
its enemies.
The little squirrel treefrog is
one of the "chameleons" of the frog world, and can change its color
from dark brown to lime green. Often ranging far from water, it is
a frequent stalker of the insects attracted to your lighted window
pane at night. By day, it retreats into a nearby tree or shrub
where it may give its nasal, duck-like "waaak" reminiscent of a
scolding squirrel.
You should feel honored if the familiar high-domed
box turtle chooses your yard or garden for its
home, because these reptiles may live to be 100 years old! The box
turtle is so named because the special hinge on its bottom shell
lets it close up into an armored box when faced with danger. This
familiar land turtle eats a variety of low-growing plants, fruits,
vegetables, mushrooms, insects and worms. It avoids the summer sun
and winter cold by digging a small shelter in the leaf litter or
underbrush.
The green anole, sometimes called
"the American chameleon" due to its ability to change from bright
green to dark brown, is one of several lizard species at home
around people. Its insect-catching skills provide great free
entertainment, as do its social interactions. Males pump out their
startling pink throat fan or "dewlap" to advertise their virility
and personal territory.
The southern ringneck snake, which
seldom exceeds 14 inches in length, occasionally turns up in the
garden, where it eats slugs, earthworms and other small animals.
Brown to slate black with a bright yellow necklace, the ringneck
may escape notice until you see its bright yellow belly beset with
bold black spots. This and other small snake species may be
important predators of destructive insects, and can be encouraged
by providing areas of leaf litter and logs or stones for cover.
The common "black snake" of Florida is the
southern black racer, a slender, shiny black, and
very fast serpent that grows to over five feet. The racer eats an
astonishing variety of other animals, from insects and frogs to
mice, lizards and other snakes. While cruising for its prey, each
racer covers a lot of territory; very likely the one you see will
be "just passing through."
Rat snakes are tremendously
variable in color, pattern, and local name (corn
or "red rat" snake; gray rat or "white oak" snake;
yellow rat or "chicken" snake), but all are superb
climbers that prey on destructive rodents. Their presence in your
shed or near your house may indicate a plethora of mice.
NOTE: There are only six species
of venomous snakes in Florida (two of which are
very rare and found only in extreme north Florida). Learn to
recognize these, and any others you see will be safe, valuable
additions to your backyard fauna.
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