Natural Features of the P/A Watershed

--Reptile/Amphibian Data:

The University of Michigan publishes herpetology data on its website (http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/). Reptiles and amphibians noted in the Portage Arcadia Creek Watershed include:

Salamanders

• Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
• Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
• Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Snakes

• Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Turtles

• Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)
• Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
• Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
• Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
• Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) **Special Concern species

In 1999, the Kalamazoo Nature Center conducted a Natural Features Inventory of "The Groves", a 248-acre education, business and technology park at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Texas Township.

Their study noted that few amphibians and reptiles were found, as little wetlands were present on the property. It was mostly a prairie composition.

Those amphibians and reptiles found included:

• American Toad
• Spring Peeper
• Green Frog
• Red-backed Salamander
• Eastern Box Turtle, rarest species found,
  Special Concern species with the State of Michigan
• Eastern Garter Snake

Source: Powless, D. Kalamazoo Nature Center Research Department, A Pre-Development Natural Features Inventory and Habitat Enhancement Plan for "The Groves": A 248-Acre Education, Business and Technology Park of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Texas Township. 1999.

In 1995, a Natural Features Inventory of the Portage Creek Basin from Hampton Lake north to the City of Portage Police Station/Band Shell at South Westnedge Avenue was conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, Flint. The following amphibians and reptiles were observed:

Frogs and Toads

• Eastern American Toad
• Gray Treefrog
• Northern Spring Peeper
• Western Chorus Frog
• Bullfrog
• Green Frog
• Wood Frog
• Northern Leopard Frog

Snakes

• Northern Water Snake
• Eastern Garter Snake
• Northern Ribbon Snake

Turtles

• Eastern Box Turtle
• Midland Painted Turtle
• Blanding's Turtle

Source: Bruederle, L.P. et al. Natural Features Inventory of the Portage Creek Basin: Final Report to the City of Portage, Michigan. January, 1995.

View the frog/toad data from DNR

Additional Frog/Toad Data for the Watershed is available at:
http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake/natural/knc/reptiletable.html
http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake/natural/knc/amphibtable.html