Amphibians and Reptiles of Idaho
Biologists refer to the study of amphibians (salamanders, toads, frogs) and reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes) collectively as herpetology. The term is derived from a Greek word meaning creeping, so it roughly translates into "the study of creeping things." Today there are 460 species of amphibians and reptiles in North America. Thirty-seven species live in Idaho (4 salamanders, 1 newt, 10 frogs and toads, 10 lizards, 11 snakes, and 1 turtle), from the Owhyee deserts of the south to the boreal forests of the Panhandle. Only two species, the bullfrog and roughskin newt, are not native to the state. The bullfrog was introduced as a game species in the late 1800s, and is now considered a threat to many native amphibian populations due to excessive predation. A few roughskin newts are found in a handful of farm ponds near Moscow, where they were probably introduced by man.
By putting amphibians and reptiles into one scientific discipline, some may think these two groups are more similar than other vertebrate groups (fish, birds, mammals). However, this is not the case. Amphibians have a thin, moist, glandular skin. Reptiles have a tough, thick skin covered with scales. The amphibians' two-phase life cycle is unique among the vertebrates: their aquatic larval or tadpole form metamorphoses into the semi-terrestrial adult form. Reptiles have no larval form: the young emerge from eggs or are born alive as miniature adults. Amphibians depend upon some source of moisture during the reproductive period whereas reptiles can lay eggs in relatively dry conditions.
There are some similarities, however. Like fish, amphibians and reptiles are ectothermic - that is, their body temperature fluctuates with that of their surrounding environment, unlike endothermic birds and mammals who maintain a constant body temperature. Both amphibians and reptiles hibernate in Idaho.
Amphibians - the first land vertebrates - appeared about 350 million years ago. Although at one time they were the dominant vertebrate class on earth, today they are the smallest. About 250 million years ago, the first reptiles evolved from amphibians. They were the dominant species for 200 million years and gave rise to the birds and mammals. Best known of this group as the know-extinct dinosaurs - the largest land animals ever.
Protecting Idaho's Amphibians and Reptiles
All Idaho reptiles and amphibians (except bullfrog) are classified as protected nongame species. This designation is held at the state level to help protect populations. Even though amphibians and reptiles are difficult to maintain in captivity, the rule does allow up to four native amphibians and reptiles of a given species to be captured and held in captivity by holders of a valid Idaho hunting license.
To learn more about amphibians and reptiles see the Nongame Leaflet Amphibians and Reptiles of Idaho available on our Books, Leaflets & Other Fun Items! page.
Amphibian and Reptile Species
*P - Protected Nongame species for which it is illegal to collect, harm, or otherwise remove from its natural habitat.
*Exotic - Species that humans intentionally or unintentionally introduced into an area outside of a species' natural range.
Salamanders And Newts
Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) *P
Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) *P
Idaho Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon aterrimus) *P
Coeur d'Alene Salamander (Plethodon idahoensis) *P
Roughskin Newt (Taricha granulosa) *Exotic
Frogs And Toads
Western Toad (Bufo boreas) *P
Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousii) *P
Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla) *P
Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata) *P
Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) *P
Inland Tailed Frog (Ascaphus montanus) *P
Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) *Exotic
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) *P
Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris) *P
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) *P
Lizards And Turtles
Longnose Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii) *P
Side-Blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) *P
Mojave Black-Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) *P
Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii) *P
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) *P
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) *P
Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea) *P
Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus) *P
Northern Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus graciosus) *P
Western Whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris) *P
Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) *P
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Snakes
Rubber Boa (Charina bottae) *P
Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) *P
Gopher Snake or Pine Snake (Pituophis catenifer) *P
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) *P
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) *P
Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata) *P
Racer (Coluber constrictor) *P
Longnose Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) *P
Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) *P
Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata) *P
Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) *P
Smooth Green Snake (Liochlorophis vernalis) *P
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