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Reptiles and Amphibians

Check out these cold-blooded (poikilotherm) critters. They are called cold-blooded, not because of their mean, nasty, or bloodthirsty habits, but because they cannot regulate the temperature of their bodies internally. Instead they are at the same temperature as the surrounding climate. Because animals survive best at body temperatures well above freezing, almost all amphibians and reptiles live in climates where they can avoid freezing temperatures.

These little Jefferson salamanders are an exception to the wrm weather rule. They live in northern US and well into Canada where the winter temperatures can drop to below -40F (-40C).They live in muskeg and sphagnum swamps. During the summer they are found walking in the moss. In the winter, they burrow well below the ice.

Hmmm..... This wonderful little guy is a rat snake. Not very big, they are excellent climbers and often rob birds nests, stealing the eggs and young chicks.

If you like snakes, you will enjoy this bad-tempered little water snake. It reaches about 1.2 m (4 feet) in length. Often there are red markings that show up when the snake slithers into the water.

In Ontario, Canada, painted turtles are an icon for the height of summer at the cottage. They love to sun-bathe, soaking up the warmth so they can chase little fish when they return to the water. They get to be about 30 cm (1 foot) from nose to tail.

Little boys make up stories about snapping turtles to scare each other. These northern snappers, which can get to about 20 kilos (50 pounds), would not hesitate to snap at anyone who torments them; their powerful jaws could chop a finger off in a second. For swimmers, however, it is a different matter; these quite shy turtles are too afraid of swimmers to approach them. So it is perfectly safe to swim in water where snapping turtles are present.

Unlike all the other reptiles and amphibians in this little gallery, the alligator is never found in cold climates. It is very large so needs to keep stoked up on food. To do that, it must be in a warm climate all the time. American alligators were once on the endangered list, but are now plentiful enough to return to their habit of eating unwary little dogs that get close to them on golf-course lawns.

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	These little Jefferson salamanders are an exception to the wrm weather rule. They live in northern US and well into Canada where the winter temperatures can drop to below -40F (-40C).They live in muskeg and sphagnum swamps. During the summer they are found walking in the moss. In the winter, they burrow well below the ice.
	Hmmm..... This wonderful little guy is a rat snake. Not very big, they are excellent climbers and often rob birds nests, stealing the eggs and young chicks.
	If you like snakes, you will enjoy this bad-tempered little water snake. It reaches about 1.2 m (4 feet) in length. Often there are red markings that show up when the snake slithers into the water.
	In Ontario, Canada, painted turtles are an icon for the height of summer at the cottage. They love to sun-bathe, soaking up the warmth so they can chase little fish when they return to the water. They get to be about 30 cm (1 foot) from nose to tail.
	Little boys make up stories about snapping turtles to scare each other. These northern snappers, which can get to about 20 kilos (50 pounds), would not hesitate to snap at anyone who torments them; their powerful jaws could chop a finger off in a second. For swimmers, however, it is a different matter; these quite shy turtles are too afraid of swimmers to approach them. So it is perfectly safe to swim in water where snapping turtles are present.
	Unlike all the other reptiles and amphibians in this little gallery, the alligator is never found in cold climates. It is very large so needs to keep stoked up on food. To do that, it must be in a warm climate all the time. American alligators were once on the endangered list, but are now plentiful enough to return to their habit of eating unwary little dogs that get close to them on golf-course lawns.