Reptiles and Amphibians

Informal observations by individuals along the river have identified at least nine species of snakes, eight species of frogs and toads, and four types of salamanders living in the Lamprey River corridor. For details, please see Appendix D of the Lamprey River Resource Assessment from 1994. http://www.rivers.gov/publications/studies/lamprey-resource-assessment.pdf

Reptiles 

In 1993 and 1994, David Carroll, respected naturalist and artist, surveyed the river from Newmarket to Raymond for turtles. He discovered that all six of New Hampshire’s native turtle species (Blanding's, musk, painted, snapping, spotted, and wood) live near the Lamprey. He was particularly glad to find Blanding's turtles (endangered in New Hampshire) and spotted and wood turtles (threatened in New Hampshire). 

	Blanding's turtle Rare. Note the yellow chin and throat. photo by Jon Bromley
	musk turtle Common but rarely seen. Note the well-rounded shell covered by smelly algae. Almost entirely aquatic. Photo by www.ct.gov
	painted turtle Commonly seen sunbathing on logs and rocks. Shell has red pattern along edge, but often appears black. Photo by Paul Fuseo, www.ct.gov
	snapping turtle Common. Shell is jagged and appears to be too small for the long neck and tail, especially when older. Be cautious of the head when approaching. photo by www.ct.gov
	spotted turtle Rare. Note the bright yellow/orange spots on the shell and body. Photo by John J. Mosesso, http://images.nbii.gov
	wood turtle Rare. Note the orange skin on the throat and shoulders and the well-sculpted shell. Photo by Mike Jones, www.mass.gov

In order for these turtles to continue to live on the Lamprey and its tributaries, they and their habitats need to be protected. Some ways to protect turtles are to:

• Maintain natural water flow levels in the river and wetlands.
• Protect riverbanks and upland corridors from development for nesting and travel.
• Let beavers create and maintain wetland areas.
• Leave bushes and natural woody material in and along the river.
• Leave turtles in their natural homes and never take them home as pets.
• Drive slowly on roads in turtle areas and help them across if possible.

Amphibians

Although amphibian populations along the Lamprey River have not been formally studied since 1994, other studies frequently note the presence of many amphibians, including some that are becoming rare. Amphibians that rely on vernal pools to breed warrant special attention. For more information about vernal pool amphibians, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has an excellent Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools. Click here www.nhesp.org for more information.

Wood frogs rely on vernal pools to breed. They have a song that is similar to duck quacks. These frogs overwinter under leaf litter on the forest floor and can partially freeze.

Photo by www.ct.gov

Blue-spotted salamanders rely on vernal pools to breed. They can mate with Jefferson salamanders to create hybrids. They are often confused with more common lead-phase redback salamanders.

Photo by www.wildlife.state.nh.us

Redback salamanders are among the most commonly seen salamanders. They have a distinctive red stripe on the back, but during the unstriped "lead phase", they are often mistaken for a blue-spotted or Jefferson salamanders.

Photo by www.nps.gov

The red-spotted newt is New Hampshire's State Amphibian. Adults are aquatic and have a keeled tail to help them swim. The body color varies from olive green to orange/red. The spots are bright red outlined in black.

Photo by www.wildlife.state.nh.us

Spotted salamanders are large and have prominent yellow spots on an almost black body. They are rarely seen except on rainy migration nights when they try to cross roads to find suitable vernal pools to breed.  

Photo by www.ct.gov