Amphibians and Reptiles in Northwestern Ontario

In terms of amphibian and reptile species richness, Northwestern Ontario (west of 85 degrees longitude) is not as diverse as many other regions of North America.  However, the rugged post-glacial landscape and abundance of forest, lakes and wetlands across the region provides great spatial heterogeneity and more natural habitat than can be found in most other areas in North America.  As a consequence, amphibians and reptiles occur almost everywhere in the region.

 

Northwestern Ontario is inhabitated by 13 amphibian species (8 frogs, 1 toad, 5 salamanders) and 4 reptiles (2 snakes, 2 turtles).   The cold climate of the region presents formidable challenges for ectothermic (cold-blooded) organisms and most species reach their northern range limits within the region.  Adaptations and strategies that enable these hardy species to survive the harsh winters and short activity seasons here include: production of cryoprotectants (anti-freeze), winter dormancy (hibernation), and over-wintering of larvae before metamorphosis.  Amphibians and reptiles in Northwestern Ontario are active from about the middle of April until about late September.  The exact timing of emergence and entry to hibernacula varies annually depending on weather conditions, but corresponds closely with the melting of ice on local waterbodies in the spring and the beginning of hard frosts in the autumn.

 

The details of distribution for most species in the region are largely unknown.  Northern boundaries of amphibians and reptiles in Northwestern Ontario that are depicted in published range maps are for the most part only educated guesses.  Occupancy for virtually all species is poorly documented because the region’s herpetofauna remains largely unexplored. It is highly unlikely that any species new to science will be discovered here, but the presence of other more ‘southern species’ is a possibility as new areas are surveyed.

 

If you would like to report observations of amphibians or reptiles from Northwestern Ontario, or would like to have a specimen from the region identified, please feel free to contact us.

 

 

    Pseudacris crucifer                Spring Peeper

    Pseudacris maculata              Boreal Chorus Frog

    Hyla versicolor                       Gray Treefrog

    Bufo americanus                    American Toad

    Rana sylvatica                       Woodfrog

    Rana pipiens                          Northern Leopard Frog

    Rana clamitans                      Green Frog

    Rana septentrionalis               Mink Frog

    Necturus maculosus               Mudpuppy

    Notophthalmus viridescens      Eastern Newt

    Ambystoma laterale                Blue-spotted Salamander

    Ambystoma maculatum           Spotted Salamander

    Plethodon cinereus                  Red-backed Salamander

 

    Thamnophis sirtalis                 Eastern Gartersnake

    Storeria occipitomaculata         Northern Red-bellied Snake

    Chelydra serpentina                 Common Snapping Turtle

    Chrysemys picta                      Painted Turtle