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Hopewell Culture National Historical ParkRanger-led tours provide great information for students.
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Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Amphibians
Red-spotted newt from pond at Hopewell Mound Group.
 
Got water? The park units do and this habitat quality is essential for frogs, toads, and salamanders. Frog and toad activity is noticeable by early spring when spring peepers, western chorus frogs, and American toads call. Activity continues through the warm late spring and summer months when Fowler’s toads, gray treefrogs, and American bullfrogs make their debut. Red-backed salamanders may be seen by wandering along wooded trails and looking under logs and rocks. In the 1/3-acre pond at Hopewell Mound Group, the red-spotted newt spends a portion of its life along with green frogs and bullfrogs. Dry Run, an intermittent stream at the Hopeton Earthworks, provides habitat for the northern ravine salamander and northern two-lined salamander. Other species documented at the park through surveys are the northern leopard frog and Jefferson salamander. Although it has not been heard or seen on park grounds, visitors should keep their ears tuned for the call of the rare eastern spadefoot toads, as potential habitat does exist for them.
Copper bird effigy from Mound City Group.  

Did You Know?
People associated with the Hopewell culture made extensive use of copper from the Lake Superior region. Copper was worked into elaborate objects without using smelting techniques.

Last Updated: August 01, 2006 at 16:09 EST