Loading

Salamanders and Snakes of Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve Created June 2022

The Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve is a property maintained by the Westmoreland Land Trust and is located at 13260 Ardara Rd, Ardara, PA 15615
You can find salamanders and snakes throughout the nature preserve. It will be more likely to observe a snake during the day near the rock quarry and the floodplain. Many semi-aquatic salamanders will be more likely observed in the floodplain under rocks and rotting logs and will be more commonly observed at night. Mole and forest salamanders will be more active around the rock quarry and in the highlands also at night.
Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is the only newt species in Pennsylvania. Newts are salamanders with an extra life stage called the "red eft." They are mostly aquatic and emerge near the same time as the spotted salamander.
This picture is a great size comparison. The Eastern newt is much smaller than the spotted salamander and shares the same breeding habitat in the spring. It is unknown if spotted salamanders eat newts in the wild.
Eastern newts have been observed reproducing while simultaneously feeding. Their diets include wood frog, spotted salamander, spring peeper, and American toad eggs.
Eastern newts are found in vernal pools, bogs, or other cal bodies of water These newts pictured above were searching for more eggs to consume.
Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) Likely the most abundant species of salamander in the state, they can be found near rotting logs or where the ground is soft and moist.
Red-backed salamanders are woodland salamanders because they reproduce on land and lay their eggs under rotting logs. They are very seldomly seen around water because they do not live around it like the eastern newt and spotted salamander.
Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) This salamander is often confused with the spotted salamander because they are dark and have yellow spots. Slimy salamanders are also woodland salamanders breeding on land under logs. These salamanders are typically 5-6 inches long but are more slender than the spotted salamander.
Slimy salamanders have one of the most notable defenses. When they feel threatened, slimy salamanders will secrete a goo-like substance that is as sticky as glue. The point is to shut the mouth of the predator so the salamander can escape. This secretion can cause a person's hands to stick together for some time. Sometimes soap and water will not remove the residue.
Slimy salamanders usually prey on small invertebrates like springtails, small ants, small isopods, and other tiny invertebrates. You can find them under the same rocks and logs as red-backed salamanders and other woodland species.
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) The most commonly seen and identified snake in Pennsylvania. Garter snakes will eat every salamander species listed above. They will eat invertebrates, other snakes, frogs, and toads.
Garter snakes can measure around 30 inches long if ample conditions are present. They are known to be toxic to other snakes and are not commonly consumed by other snakes in the state unless they are immune to the toxin.
Garter snakes are one of the first amphibians or reptiles active. Many have observed these snakes in February, emerging from brumation on warm winter days.
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) is the most commonly misidentified snake in the state. Many identify this species as a copperhead and kill it on sight. These snakes can grow very large and eat fish, tadpoles and frogs, salamanders, and many aquatic creatures.
You can tell a watersnake from a copperhead by the shape of the head and the eyes. Oval eyes are nonvenomous snake traits, and slits for eyes mean a snake is venomous.
Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) Is possibly the most abundant snake in the entire state. These snakes eat most salamanders listed above in the story map, snails, young frogs, earthworms, and other insects.
Ringneck snakes are commonly encountered in moist environments and around rock piles. You can find these snakes in quarries, on hillsides, and around floodplains.
These snakes are prey items for many animals like larger amphibians like bullfrogs, American toads, northern green frogs, and spotted salamanders.
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) is one of the most secretive snakes in Pennsylvania. Many could miss this snake while hiking and never see it in their life unless actively searching for it.
Red-belly snakes are snail and slug specialists. They can pull snails out of their shells and can swallow slugs whole. These snakes eat smaller salamanders, and less commonly, other invertebrates.
Red-belly snakes are one of the snakes you can find in the forest. You can observe many snakes in clearings and open areas, but red-belly snakes are one of the few snakes that thrive in the forest ecosystem.
This story map was created for the Westmoreland Land Trust by AmeriCorps Service Member AAron Capouellez.
Appreciate

Credits:

Photos from PARS Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey. Thanks to Tyler Streets and Andy Weber for the pictures. Text and some pictures provided by AAron Capouellez