Field Guide

Reptiles and Amphibians

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Image of a wood frog
Wood Frog
Lithobates sylvaticus (formerly Rana sylvatica)
The wood frog is tan, pinkish tan, or brown, with a dark brown mask through the eye and ear. It is perfectly camouflaged among fallen dead leaves. A rare frog, it lives in cool, wooded hillsides in portions of eastern Missouri and some southwestern counties.
Spring Peeper
Spring Peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
The voices of spring peepers are a true announcement that winter is ending. These small, slender frogs can be several overall colors, but seeing an X on the back is a good way to ensure your identification.
Photo of a flat-headed snake held in someone’s hands
Flat-Headed Snake
Tantilla gracilis
The flat-headed snake is Missouri's smallest snake. It is found in the southern half of the state except the far southeastern corner.
Photo of a western wormsnake on a white background.
Western Wormsnake
Carphophis vermis
The western wormsnake is a small, two-toned snake that lives in wooded areas or rocky hillsides. It is usually purplish brown above and salmon pink on the belly and lower sides. It is found statewide, except for the Mississippi Lowlands.
Image of a grotto salamander
Grotto Salamander
Eurycea spelaea
The grotto salamander is Missouri’s only species of blind salamander. A true troglobite, it lives in total darkness and has small eyes that are completely or partially covered by their pink or beige skin. Occurs in wet caves in the Ozarks.
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.