REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS A-M
North Carolina is home to many species of herps, in fact more than most states in the southeastern United States. Most likely, at some point in your life you will come into contact with a herp. But remember to never touch, pick up, or provoke any animal you cannot identify!
 |
COPPERHEAD
(Agkistrodon contortrix)
The Copperhead is one of North Carolina’s 6 venomous snakes, and the only species found statewide. Copperheads are found in a wide variety of habitats, but they are most often associated with woodlands. Favorite spots are those providing cover as well as some sun for basking, such as woodland edges, rocky south-facing slopes and ivy thickets.
|
 |
The Carolina Gopher Frog is state listed as North Carolina endangered. These rare frogs occur at scattered localities in the Sandhills and southeastern Coastal Plain. Little is known about their natural history outside the breeding season. Adults are secretive, spending most of their lives underground. |
 |
The Marbled Salamander, North Carolina’s state salamander, is relatively common throughout the state. Marbled salamanders prefer to live in damp woodlands that are close to floodplain pools and ponds. Like the mole, from which this family of salamanders gets its common name, mole salamander, marbled salamanders create burrows and tunnels, and spend most of their time underground. |
