I try to get out and go herping in as many productive areas as I can, however sometimes I am limited to the creeks and waterways nearby in the city. These areas are not particularly herp heavy, but with patience and determination lots of cool animals can be found.
Some of the most common herps seen in these areas are frogs, especially green frogs.
Northern Green Frogs (Rana clamitans melanota)
Bullfrogs are also quite common
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeina)
Occasionally a toad or two will show up in the creek.
Fowler’s Toad (Bufo fowleri)
And perhaps the most abundant herp seen is the two lined salamander.
Southern Two Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera
About the only other salamander seen in these habitats is the longtail salamander.
Longtail Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
Not much in the way of reptiles is encountered, with one exception. The Northern water snake is very abundant and thrives in creeks.
Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)
They can vary quite a bit:
And the single species of turtle I have found in creeks is the snapping turtle.
Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
And when wading around in Southern Indiana creeks, it is nearly impossible to not encounter crayfish.
Crayfish
And every once in a while I will see a blue specimen, caused by a pigment mutation.
While creek herping may not yield as many good species as forrests or swamps, it is certainly a good way to herp in the scorching summer heat.
