Reptiles and Amphibians of Severson Dells Forest Preserve
Frogs and Toads
- Green Frog
List Item 1
Green Frogs are commonly found in all types of permanent bodies of water. This frog is commonly found in our pond and basking in the sun on the banks of Hall Creek near the memorial bridge. They breed from June to July, and their call sounds like the twang of a banjo.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Bullfrog
List Item 2
Bullfrogs live in permanent bodies of water. They breed from June to July, and their call sounds like a deep “moo” or a “jug-o-rum.” These ambush predators will prey on any animal they can overpower and stuff down their throats.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Northern Leopard Frog
List Item 3
These frogs live in lakes, rivers, and ponds, and they can be found far from standing water. They breed from April to mid-June, and their call resembles a deep, rattling snore interspersed with chuckling or the sound of a thumb rubbing against a balloon.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Boreal Chorus Frog
List Item 4
These frogs can be found in or near shallow, temporary pools of water. They breed between March and May, and their call sounds like a fingernail running over a comb.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- American Toad
American Toads are found in a wide variety of habitats including urban settings. They breed between April and June, and their call is a musical trill that lasts up to 30 seconds.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
- Red-bellied Snake
Red-bellied snakes live in moist forests and marshes. They are not aggressive, and they have been known to "play dead" when threatened.
Photo Credit: Peter Paplanus on Flickr (CCBY2.0)
- Garter Snake
Garter Snakes spend most of their time in grassy areas near lakes or ponds. At Severson Dells, we often see them slithering through the prairie or pollinator garden. They are active during the day and are not venomous.
- Painted Turtle
Painted turtles are commonly seen in our pond, basking on submerged logs. They get their name from the bright colors on the underside of their shells.
- Snapping Turtle
Snapping turtles spend most of their time in the water, preferring muddy creeks and ponds. Hidden in the mud, snapping turtles can surprise their prey of fish, frogs, and anything else they can get their jaws around.
- DeKay's Brown Snake
These snakes are rarely encountered because they spend most of their time hidden under rocks and logs. Here they can find an abundance of their main food sources: worms, slugs, and insects.
