Of the 13 kinds of lizards native to Missouri, eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris collaris) seem to generate the most interest. In fact, their population decline and unique habitat have inspired Missouri's wildlife managers to give them a helping hand.
Alligator snapping turtles live in southeastern and extreme southern Missouri. Most of their time is spent in the water. Females leave the water only to lay their eggs during June or early July every other year. Alligator snappers live in rivers and old river channels (oxbow lakes) where they capture fish to eat. They also eat other kinds of turtles!
Snapping turtle meat can be delicious if the turtles are cleaned properly, the meat tenderized and prepared with a good recipe. Don''t let their looks deceive you.
Copperheads, Missouri's most common venomous snakes, have produced more fear, questions and myths than any other snake. The facts presented in this document will help you understand copperheads and, we hope, be less fearful of them.
Turtles play an important role as a part of the check-and-balance system in our lakes and rivers and deserve a healthy environment and a chance to survive as much as any other creature.
Box turtles differ from other turtles in several ways. They are terrestrial (land-dwelling) turtles. Their high, domed shells and unwebbed feet are adapted for life on land, not water.
The calling of tree frogs is announcement that summer has come to Missouri. Amphibians were the first vertebrates to develop a voice. Both frogs and toads vociferate with their mouths tightly shut, but none so enthusiastically as the ambitious treefrog.
Providing those who fear snakes with correct information on the kinds, natural history and distribution of Missouri's snakes may reduce their fears so they can begin to enjoy our beautiful outdoors year 'round
As with all other wildlife native to Missouri, snakes are an important part of the natural food chain and play an important role in the balance of nature. As an example, snakes are helpful in reducing populations of destructive rodents and, in turn, are prey to such wildlife as hawks, great blue herons, otters and game fish.
Missouri is home to 13 kinds of lizards. All lizards native to the Show-Me-State are harmless and non-venomous. Like other reptiles, lizards are ecdothermic or cold-blooded.
The global conservation community has formulated a response in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, and an integral part of that response is the Amphibian Ark, in which select species that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild. Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct.
Frogwatch USA is a frog and toad monitoring program that gives YOU the opportunity to help scientists conserve amphibians! With as little as 20 minutes a week you can collect essential information to protect frogs and toads.
SAVE THE FROGS! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the world's amphibian species: the frogs, toads, newts, salamanders as well as the lesser-known caecilians.
NAAMP is a collaborative effort among regional partners, such as state natural resource agencies and nonprofit organizations, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor populations of vocal amphibians.
