Reptiles

During comprehensive surveys conducted at BNL in 1994 and 1995, five species of reptiles were observed on transect surveys, and an additional five species were added as results of incidental observations.  Along the terrestrial transects, the eastern box turtle was the most frequently observed reptile. Box turtles were found in all habitat types sampled including pine plantations, pitch pine/oak forests, fields and wetlands. The garter snake, milk snake, eastern Hognose Snake, northern brown snake, and black racer were found in upland habitats. The ribbon snake, garter snake, snapping turtle, painted turtle, and spotted turtle were found in wetland habitats. The snapping turtle and painted turtle were commonly observed along the Peconic river system. The spotted turtle was uncommon, as only a few shells from dead turtles were found in the headwater areas of the Peconic River upstream of the BNL Sewage Treatment Plant.  Few snakes were found in uplands, the black racer was the most common species observed in this area.  Other species including the eastern hognose snake, milk snake, and northern brown snake are represented on site by only one observation each. The low number of upland observations of terrestrial snakes partially due to the dry sandy habitat on the BNL site and possibly due to past use of pesticides. The eastern garter snake was the only snake found using an artificial hiding place.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

The box turtle is the only exclusively terrestrial turtle found on the BNL site. While relatively common in pine barrens habitats, box turtles are often killed by automobiles and brush fires. Box turtles are most frequently observed in spring months or after rain storms; they generally aestivate (remain dormant) in swampy areas during the warmer summer months. Box turtles are territorial: an individual turtle may spend its life in an area scarcely larger than a football field, provided habitat conditions remain favorable.

Reptiles observed on the BNL site

Reptiles listed in alphabetical order by scientific name.

TURTLES
Common Name	Scientific Name
Snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina
Spotted turtle	Clemmys guttata
Painted turtle	Chrysemys picta
Box turtle	Terrapene carolina
Stinkpot turtle	Sternotherus odoratus

SNAKES
Common Name	Scientific Name
Northern brown snake	Storeria dekayi
Eastern garter snake	Thamnophis sirtalis
Eastern ribbon snake	Thamnophis sauritus
Eastern hognose snake	Heterodon platyrhinos
Northern black racer	Coluber constrictor
Eastern milk snake	Lampropeltis triangulum

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