Common Reptiles and Amphibians
Snakes:
(See the West Virginia Herpetological Society for more information)
- Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (eastern garter snake) -- very common
- Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata (northern red-bellied snake) -- occasionally seen under flat stones or large pieces of tree bark
- Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (northern ring-necked snake) -- occasionally seen under flat stones
- Nerodia sipedon sipedon (common or northern water snake) -- occasionally seen in or near streams
- Opheodrys vernalis (smooth greensnake)
- Crotalus horridus (timber rattlesnake) -- VENOMOUS; rare/uncommon in the area
Turtles:
(See the West Virginia Herpetological Society for more information)
- Chelydra serpentina serpentina (common snapping turtle) -- in or near streams; "the only turtle known to occur in the elevations of the upland forests"
- Terrapene carolina carolina (eastern box turtle) -- rare at this elevation (possibly only one record?)
Newts and Salamanders:
(See the West Virginia Herpetological Society for more information)
- Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (red-spotted newt) -- as juveniles, commonly seen crossing roads after a rain or wandering through the forest, or, as adults, in small isolated ponds
- Plethodon cinereus (eastern red-backed salamander) -- commonly seen under logs or stones
- Desmognathus fuscus (northern dusky salamander) -- occasionally seen under logs or under stones in small streams
- Ambystoma maculatum (spotted salamander) -- egg masses frequently seen in small ponds in spring
Frogs (often heard but seldom seen):
(See the West Virginia Herpetological Society for more information)
- Pseudacris crucifer (spring peeper; sound) -- commonly heard near beaver impoundments in spring and early summer; call a high, rising "peep"
- Lithobates clamitans (green frog; sound) -- occasionally heard near streams or in standing water; call like someone plucking a banjo string
- Lithobates sylvaticus (wood frog; sound) -- breeding in ephemeral spring wet areas; call a sharp, high-pitched squawk
