I’ve got a soft spot for reptiles and amphibians, as well as for any animal being silly, so this was an opportunity too great to pass up. The photos in this gallery are my contributions to the awesome The ABCs of Derpetology by Jessica Lee Anderson. Check out the post Featured Creatures: Scaly Derps for more information!
A male Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) looks at the camera with neck fully extended. Indiana, April 2024A venomous Northern Cottonmouth snake (Agkistrodon piscivorus) climbs out of swampy water onto a log to bask in far southern Illinois, September 2023.A snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) stares directly at the camera. Indiana, April 2024
A curious Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga) walks across a ledge in a cave with people watching behind. Kentucky, August 2017A young Common Five-Lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) climbs up a tree trunk. South Carolina, June 2023A False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) basks on a log. Indiana, September 2022
An Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), likely female as seen by eye color, retracts her head into her shell in response to a perceived danger. Indiana, May 2020An Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) flattens its head and hisses to look intimidating in defensive position. Illinois, April 2021This Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta) looks like it’s auditioning for Dirty Dancing. Indiana, September 2022.
