Reptiles and Amphibians
Media
Species Types
Scientific Name
Heterodon gloydi
Description
In Missouri, the dusty hog-nosed snake is found only in a few southeastern counties. This nonvenomous snake is a species of conservation concern. Like other hog-nosed snakes, it has several interesting defensive behaviors.
Media
Species Types
Scientific Name
Pseudacris fouquettei
Description
The Cajun chorus frog is a small tan to brown frog with dark dorsal stripes that are narrow or often broken into a series of dashes or spots. It occurs in a few counties in southeastern Missouri.
See Also
About Reptiles and Amphibians in Missouri
Missouri’s herptiles comprise 43 amphibians and 75 reptiles. Amphibians, including salamanders, toads, and frogs, are vertebrate animals that spend at least part of their life cycle in water. They usually have moist skin, lack scales or claws, and are ectothermal (cold-blooded), so they do not produce their own body heat the way birds and mammals do. Reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, are also vertebrates, and most are ectothermal, but unlike amphibians, reptiles have dry skin with scales, the ones with legs have claws, and they do not have to live part of their lives in water.