Herp Quiz 3

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (males 3.5 to 5.75 inches; females 5.0 to 10.75 inches in length) with a prominently keeled brown or olive carapace (upper shell) and yellow lines on the head, neck, and legs. False Map subspecies has a backward, yellow “L” mark behind eye with narrow, yellow neck stripes touching the edge of each eye.

Mississippi Map subspecies has yellow crescent behind eye and neck stripes do not touch edge of eye. Carapace is covered with intricate yellow lines resembling roads or waterways on a map and dark smudges on the scutes (plates). Rear of carapace is very serrated. Plastron is dull yellow with dark markings.

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (males 3.5 to 5.75 inches; females 5.0 to 10.75 inches in length) with a prominently keeled brown or olive carapace (upper shell) and yellow lines on the head, neck, and legs. False Map subspecies has a backward, yellow “L” mark behind eye with narrow, yellow neck stripes touching the edge of each eye.

Mississippi Map subspecies has yellow crescent behind eye and neck stripes do not touch edge of eye. Carapace is covered with intricate yellow lines resembling roads or waterways on a map and dark smudges on the scutes (plates). Rear of carapace is very serrated. Plastron is dull yellow with dark markings.

Graptemys pseudogeographica

A large, aquatic turtle (9.0 to 12.0 inches in length) with a wide, brown to nearly black carapace (upper shell) showing a reticulate pattern of orangish-yellow lines. Marginal scutes (plates) have wide, yellow borders.

Numerous yellowish stripes on head, neck, and chin (5 between the eyes). Dark, donut-shaped markings under the marginal plates. Adult males have longer claws (middle 3) on the front legs and longer tails than females. Young are more brightly colored than adults.

Pseudemys concinna

A small, high-domed turtle (4.5 to 6.0 inches in length) with highly variable colors and patterns. Most specimens have yellowish to orange spots or blotches intermixed with a dark brown or black background on the shell and skin. The carapace (upper shell) has a keel running down the center and is more pronounced in juveniles.

Plastron (lower shell) is hinged towards the shell’s front third, allowing the front and back to close tight. Males have a concaved plastron, a longer tail, and red eyes (usually); head and forelimbs may be bright orange. Females have a flat plastron, brown eyes, and a higher domed carapace. Young have a light yellow spot on each scute (plate).

Terrapene carolina

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (adults average 5.0 to 8.0 inches in length, max 11.5+ inches but bigger ones have been reported) with a carapace (upper shell) ranging from dark green to brown to almost black with yellowish markings.

Head, neck, and limbs are striped yellow over a green or brownish skin. Lower jaw is rounded rather than flattened. Plastron (lower shell) is yellow with each plate usually having a dark spots.

Trachemys scripta

A round, flattened aquatic turtle (males 4.5 to 7.0; females 6.5 to 14.0 inches in length) with a long, tubular snout.

Carapace (upper shell) is smooth and olive-gray or brown; males have faint dots and dashes while females have mottled blotches. The plastron (lower shell) is a plain gray or cream color.

A light stripe, with a dark, thin border, extends from the eye down each side of the neck.

Adult females are larger and have longer hind claws.

Males have longer, thicker tails. Young are olive-colored and covered with dots.

Apalone mutica

A round, flattened aquatic turtle (males 5.0 to 9.25; females 7.0 to 17.0 inches in length) with a long, tubular snout.  The brown-to-olive-gray carapace (upper shell) feels like sandpaper and has small spines on the front edge.  Young females and males have distinct black dots and circles on the carapace, while adult females have brown or gray blotches.  Limbs are strongly spotted and a light stripe, with a dark, thin border, extends from the eye down each side of the neck.  Plastron is cream-colored with no markings. Males have longer, thicker tails.

Apalone spinifera

A small, shiny, smooth-scaled snake (7.5 to 11.0 inches in length) with a sharp contrast between brown back and pink belly; often having an iridescent sheen. Head is small and pointed with tiny eyes. Tail is short and pointed. Young are darker and smaller. Eastern Wormsnake has separate prefrontal and intranasal scales (scales between nose and eyes).

Carphophis amoenus

A slender, small to medium-sized snake (14.0 to 20.0 inches in length) with smooth scales and a striking color pattern. Wide red bands, bordered in black, are separated by cream or light yellow all the way from head to tail. Small, dark spots may dot the lighter areas on older specimens. Head is red and pointed. The belly is white or cream-colored. Males have longer tails. Young are similar to adults.

Cemophora coccinea

A large, slender, solid black snake (36.0 to 60.0 inches in length) with smooth and shiny scales.

Throat and chin have some white, and eye color (iris) is brown or dark amber.

The belly is dark gray to dark blue in color. Males are slightly larger than females.

Young are lighter in color with dark gray, brown, or reddish-brown pattern on the back.

Northern and Southern Black Racers can only be distinguished by internal anatomical differences.

Coluber constrictor

Ringneck snakes are small — 10 – 15 in (25 – 38 cm) — slender snakes that are generally grayish with a yellow or orange band around the back of the neck and a yellow or orange underside.

Diadophis punctatus