Barred Tiger Salamander
(Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium)

Salamanders are amphibians.  This is the largest species of salamander that lives on land. They reach an amazing 12 inches long!  Tiger salamanders are voracious predators.  They eat worms, insects, and even smaller salamanders.  Two huge aquatic salamanders live in Asia: the Chinese and Japanese Giant Salamanders.  Both can exceed 5 feet (6.5 feet for the Chinese) and weigh about 55 pounds.  Both of these species are highly endangered due to habitat loss, and poaching. Unfortunately, Chinese Giant Salamanders are considered a delicacy, and their body parts are used in traditional Chinese medicines.

Rococo Toad
(Bufo paracnemis)

Toads are amphibians.  The Rococo Toad, the largest toad in the world, is found in South America.  True toads are easily distinguished from frogs because they possess parotoid glands in which bufotoxin is produced.  This toxin has a bad taste and protects the toad from predators.  Rococo Toads are carnivores, eating only meat.  The rule for this toad is "if it moves and can fit in my mouth, it must be food."  At my home he loves to eat meal worms, earthworms, and cockroaches.  In the wild these toads have been known to eat mice, snakes, and even small birds.

African Bullfrog
(Pyxicephalus adsperus)

The African Bullfrog is one of Africa's largest frogs.   They are unique in that the males grow much larger than the females.  Usually female toads and frogs are larger than the male toads and frogs.  The male can reach 9 inches in length and weigh over 4 pounds, while the female is only half that size and weight.  African Bullfrogs have a huge mouth equipped with teeth!  Two tooth-like projections face inward on their lower jaw.  These special teeth aid in helping the frog hold onto its prey.  Their diet consists mainly of insects, but they are more than capable of eating a mouse.
 

Budgett's Frog
(Lepidobatrachus laevis)

This comical looking frog is native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.  The Budgett's Frog prefers to live in seasonally semi-arid regions. As the ponds dry, the Budgett's Frog burrows well down into the mud, secretes a cocoon around itself, and becomes dormant until the rains fill up the wetlands once again.  Although friendly looking, the Budgetts Frog will not hesitate to bite.  It has two sharp bony projections on the lower jaw that can draw blood ~ hence their nickname the "Freddie Kruger Frog."
 

Cranwells Horned Frog
(Ceratophrys cranwelli)

Also known as the "Pacman" frog, the Cranwells Horned Frog is endemic to the dry Gran Chaco region of Argentina.  Over each eye is a fleshy horn-like prutrusion that gives this frog its name.  Horned frogs are mostly sedentary, hardly ever moving.  They rely on their superior camoflauge to stay hidden from their prey.  When a bite-sized animal walks too close to the hidden frog, the frog lunges and clamps onto the animal with its powerful jaws, and in a couple gulps it disappears into the frogs stomach.

White's Tree Frog
(Litoria caerulea)

Obviously this tree frog is not white.  It is actually named after the first person to describe it, John White.  The Whites Tree Frog is native to Australia and New Guinea.  Tree Frogs have special toe pads; these pads aid the frogs in their arboreal habits.  The skin secretions of this frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties, and even a natural bug repellent.

Red-eyed Tree Frog
(Agalychnis callidryas)

This is surely the most recognizable tree frog.  Red-eyed Tree Frogs are fairly common in the rainforests of Central America.  These frogs lay their eggs underneath leaves that hang above the water.  When the tadpole emerges, it falls into the water below to continue its lifecycle.  I saw my first Red-eyed Tree frog by wading into a Costa Rican swamp in the middle of the night.  I soon found a male Red-eyed tree frog calling on a branch hanging over the water.  After observing the frog I left the water to find out that I was covered with leeches!  Was it worth it?  You bet!
 

Gulf Coast Box Turtle
(Terrapene carolina major)

This is a sub-species of our native box turtle, the Eastern Box Turtle.  The Gulf Coast Box Turtle is found mostly in the Florida Panhandle.  Box Turtles prefer to live on dry land but do enjoy a nice soak on a hot summer day.  Box Turtles have a special hinge located on their plastron; this enables them to close their shells tightly when danger threatens.  Box Turtles are omnivorous, and are quite fond of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, various insects, worms, and slugs.  Box Turtles are not as common as they used to be in Connecticut; mostly due to habitat destruction and over collecting for the pet trade.  Turtles are fascinating reptiles but should never be taken out of the wild to be kept as a pet.
 

Russian Tortoise
(Testudo hermanni)

This species of small tortoise is found in Southeastern Russia, Eastern Iran, Northwest Pakistan, and Afghanistan.  The Russian Tortoise is strictly herbivorous, eating only fruits and vegetables.  The Russian Tortoise is commonly sold in pet stores, but buyer beware ~ turtles and tortoises have very special needs.  However, if they are cared for properly, turtles and tortoises can live for a very long time.  The oldest recorded tortoise was over 150 years old!

Common Snapping Turtle
(Chelydra serpentina)

Common Snapping Turtles are found in just about every freshwater body of water here in Connecticut.  They are even found in brackish water.  There are many misconceptions about snapping turtles.  They can be aggressive ~ but only if bothered.  Snapping Turtles will not go out of their way to bite a person.  Snapping Turtles have very powerful jaws that can inflict serious damage to a finger ~ but they are not powerful enough snap a broom handle in half!  Snapping turtles can get very large: on the average they can reach 30-40 pounds, although there are a couple records of Common Snapping Turtles exceeding 80 pounds!


Bearded Dragon
(Pagona vitticeps)

Bearded Dragons are from Australia.  When threatened, they flatten out their bodies making themselves look wider. The "beard" in the dragon's name comes from its flared-out "black" throat.  This visual display is enhanced by a gaping mouth.  They do this to scare off potential predators.  Bearded Dragons are omnivores.  These lizards are quickly becoming popular pets.  However, before considering any new pet, please make sure that you research the animal's general care and needs, so that you are well prepared.



Frilled Lizard
(Chlamydosaurus kingii)

Also known as the Frilled Dragons, the Frilled Lizards are native to Southern New Guinea and Northern Australia.  They inhabit savanna woodlands but can also be found in tropical forests.  Frilled lizards are semi-arboreal, meaning that they spend most of their time in the trees.  Frilled Lizards are mostly carnivorous, preying on various invertebrates, small mammals, and even other lizards.  When threatened, Frilled Lizards have one of the most extreme displays.  The lizard will open its mouth, which expands its huge frill making itself appear much larger.  Frilled Dragons can also be bipedal when they run.  This means that they will sprint using only their hind legs ~ running much like a human!
 

Argus Monitor
(Varanus gouldii horni)

This species of Argus Monitor is found in Southern New Guinea.  They are mostly terrestrial spending most of their time on the ground but are well adapted to climb trees and swim to forage for food.  They are superb diggers and will excavate a burrow in which they will reside.  Argus Monitors are strictly carnivorous.  They will eat just about anything that they can catch and overpower.  They eat a wide variety of invertebrates, small mammals, birds, eggs, snakes, frogs, and other lizards.  The Monitor lizard family (Varanidae) includes the largest living lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon, which can exceed 10 feet and 350 pounds.  The Argus Monitor reaches an average length of 4 feet.

Irian Jaya Blue Tongued Skink
(Tiliqua sp.)

The Blue Tongued Skink is one of the largest skinks in the world.  They can reach almost 2 feet in length.  There are nine distinct species of Blue Tongued Skinks. Most are found in Australia, but a few are found in Indonesia, specifically New Guinea.  Blue Tongued Skinks occupy a variety of habitats from desserts and savannas to woodlands and rainforests.  They are omnivorous and eat a variety of vegetation and small animals ~ their favorite food is slugs and snails!  If threatened the Blue Tongued Skink will face its attacker, open its mouth very wide and stick out its bright blue tongue.