Amphibians and Reptiles at Cape Cod National Seashore

While we have good information on the occurrence of amphibians and
reptiles in the National Seashore, there is much we do not know about their
distribution, abundance, and population trends. Given the widespread declines
in amphibians and reptiles that are being reported from many areas of the
United States and beyond, this information is now more important than ever.
Protected areas, such as Cape Cod National Seashore will be critical for many
species survival. Fortunately, the National Seashore has recently increased its
efforts to inventory and monitor its wildlife, and we are gaining a better
understanding of the National Seashore's amphibians and reptiles. The following
table summarizes the current (through May 2005) state of knowledge regarding
the occurrence and distribution of amphibians and reptiles at Cape Cod National
Seashore. It is based primarily on the observations of Irene Seipt, Kyle Jones,
John Portnoy, Brett Still, Bob Prescott, Betsy Colburn, Joan Milam, and Jackie
Sones in the 1980's and 1990's, and Kelly Boland, James Borgmeyer, Bob Cook,
Stan Kot,, Peter Paton, Matthew Schult, Bradd Timm, Todd Tupper, and numerous
others in more recent years. Should you encounter any of the species discussed
above, or observe species in towns previously unrecorded, please take a
photograph and contact me at 50-487-3262 x 106 or [e-mail].

Sponsor: Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program