Amphibians

Amphibians are interesting creatures to observe in their natural habitats. Many species are highly adapted for life on land. Amphibians are semi-aquatic and water is essential for their survival. You might see them around the Sinking Spring or at the creek on the Knob Creek Farm!

 

American Toad

NPS Photo

Top Five Tips for Viewing Amphibians:

1. Walk slowly and avoid sudden movements and loud noises.
2. Listen-Different frogs and toads "sing" in different months and temperatures. Spring is the perfect time to hear them.
3. Note the size, color, and patterns so identification can be successful.
4. Many salamanders are nocturnal and can be found under rocks or fallen trees. Beware! Poisonous animals like some snakes and spiders like these hiding places too. So please, do not disturb.
5. Do not touch anything you see! Your hands can damage the skin for many of these creatures, and you may hurt them unintentionally while trying to catch them. Some small animals may be poisonous, or venomous and may hurt you. (Plus- its scares them to be caught!)

 

Fast Facts

Amphibans spend part of their lives in water breathing with gills, which is then (typically) followed by the adult portion of their life which they spend living on land and breathing with lungs. 
Amphibians are also cold-blooded, which means that their body temperature changes with their surroundings. 

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

Select a Species Category (optional):

All Amphibians Birds Fish Mammals Reptiles Vascular Plants

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Species attribute definitions

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Animals