Fauna

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AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
of the Penobscot River Watershed

There are 40 species of amphibians and reptiles in Maine; the following have been documented in the Penobscot drainage (Source MABP):

Blue-spotted salamander Ambystoma laterale – Occurs statewide but is uncommon.

Spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum – occurs statewide

Eastern newt Notophthalmus viridescens – occurs statewide

Northern dusky salamander Desmognathus fuscus – occurs statewide

Two-line salamander Eurycea bislineata – abundant; occurs statewide

Northern spring salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus – associated with cool, well-oxygenated habitat.

Four-toed salamander Hemidactylium scutatum – rare, in lower part of watershed.

Redback salamander Plethodon cinereus – Abundant; occurs statewide, terrestrial.

American toad Bufo americanus – occurs statewide

Gray treefrog Hyla versicolor – more common in southern part of watershed.

Spring peeper Pseudacris crucifer – common statewide

Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana – more common in southern part of watershed.

Green frog Rana clamitans – common statewide.

Pickerel frog Rana palustris – statewide, more common in southern part of watershed.

Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens – less common

Mink frog Rana septentrionalis - less common, occurs in northern and western areas.

Wood frog Rana sylvatica – common, terrestrial except during breeding season.

Snapping turtle Chelydra serpentine - common

Musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus – documented in southern part of watershed; more common to southwest.

Eastern painted turtle Chrysemys picta

Spotted turtle Clemmys guttata – rare; has been found in extreme southern part of watershed/estuary drainages.

Wood turtle Clemmys insculpta – statewide

Eastern box turtle Terrapene carolina - uncommon, documented in southern part of watershed.

Snake species include racer, ringneck, milk, smooth green, brown, redbelly, and garter.