Field Guide
Explore the Field Guide to learn about more than 350 species of birds, fish, insects, algae, invertebrates, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians that live in the Chesapeake Bay region.
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Showing: 10 of 23Black Rat Snake
Elaphe obsoleta obsoletaThe black rat snake is a non-venomous snake with a long, black body and white belly. It can be found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, from the mountains to the shoreline.
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Bog Turtle
Glyptemys muhlenbergiiThe bog turtle an endangered species and is the smallest turtle in North America.
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Broad-Headed Skink
Plestiodon laticepsThe broad-headed skink is the largest skink in the Chesapeake Bay region. It gets its name from the large, swollen jowls males develop as they mature.
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Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentinaThe common snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It lives in both freshwater and brackish water environments.
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Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrixThe copperhead snake is one of only a few venomous snakes found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, although it is rarely lethal to humans.
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Diamondback Terrapin
Malaclemys terrapinThe diamondback terrapin is an aquatic turtle with distinctive diamond-shaped rings covering its shell. It lives in and around the Chesapeake Bay’s brackish tidal waters, including rivers and marshes.
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Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina carolinaThe eastern box turtle is a terrestrial reptile found primarily in woodlands across the Chesapeake watershed.
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Eastern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus undulatusThe eastern fence lizard is an arboreal species often found in dry woodlands throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.
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Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalisThe eastern garter snake is a common terrestrial snake. It is known for the three white or yellow stripes that run down the length of its back.
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Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulumThe eastern milksnake is a secretive creature that spends most of its life underground or under rocks and logs.
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