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Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project: Reptiles & Amphibians: Species Information: Wildlife: Fish & Wildlife: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Home Skip to top navigation Skip to side navigation Skip to content Skip to footer Maine.gov Agencies | Online Services | Help | Search Maine.gov Select Language▼ Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife News   |   Forms   |   Contact Us   |   Sitemap Search MDIFW About Commissioner's Office Bureau of Resource Management Bureau of Warden Service Advisory Council Waterfowl Council Employment Opportunities Contact Us Hunting & Trapping Hunting Trapping Wildlife Management Districts Exploring the Outdoors on Private Land Fishing & Boating Fishing Boating Exploring the Outdoors on Private Land ATV & Snowmobile All-Terrain Vehicles Snowmobiles Safety Information Exploring the Outdoors on Private Land Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Hatcheries Wildlife Fish and Wildlife in Captivity Citizen Science Projects Game Wardens Career Opportunities Organizational Structure Specialty Teams History Fallen Heroes/Honor Roll Warden Courtesies Maine Wildlife Park About the Maine Wildlife Park Things to See and Do Wildlife Events Hours & Fees Directions Programs & Resources Educational Programs Recreational Opportunities Outdoor Partners Program Landowner Relations Beginning with Habitat Environmental Review Operation Game Thief Grants Registered Maine Guides Historical Archives FAQ News & Events MDIFW Blog Podcasts Press Releases Media Meetings & Events Awards Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment Legislative Updates Proposed Stocking Program Changes Current Requests for Proposals Fishing Report Home → Fish & Wildlife → Wildlife → Species Information → Reptiles & Amphibians → Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project Fisheries Hatcheries Wildlife Species Information Birds Mammals Reptiles & Amphibians Invertebrates Species Planning State Wildlife Action Plan Beginning with Habitat Endangered & Threatened Species Living with Wildlife Lands Reports & Publications Support Wildlife Fish and Wildlife in Captivity Citizen Science Projects +Menu +Fisheries Species Information Strategic Management Plans Wild Brook Trout Aquatic Invasive Species Developing Fishing Regulations Funding Fisheries Data Collection & Analysis Fish and Wildlife in Captivity Beginning with Habitat Maine Stream Habitat Viewer Endangered & Threatened Species Reports & Publications Alewife Interaction Committee +Hatcheries Casco Dry Mills Governor Hill Grand Lake Stream Embden Enfield New Gloucester Palermo Fish Health Lab +Wildlife +Species Information Birds Mammals Reptiles & Amphibians Invertebrates Species Planning State Wildlife Action Plan Beginning with Habitat +Endangered & Threatened Species History of E & T Program Endangered Species Legislation Listing and Delisting Process Listed Species Species of Special Concern Essential Wildlife Habit Support Endangered Species Endangered and Threatened Birds Endangered and Threatened Mammals Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Reptiles and Amphibians Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Invertebrates +Wildlife-Human Issues Living with Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Wildlife Diseases Lands Reports & Publications +Support Wildlife Federal Aid for Wildlife Management Loon Plate Sportsman Plate Chickadee Check-off Duck Stamp Program Birder Band Fish and Wildlife in Captivity Citizen Science Projects Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project Maine is home to 36 species of herpetofauna, including 18 amphibians (salamanders and frogs) and 18 reptiles (snakes and turtles). Beyond a handful of common, conspicuous species such as the green frog and painted turtle, amphibians and reptiles remain mysterious and misunderstood by many members of the public. This is partly due to their relatively small size – redback salamanders and spring peepers are among the smallest vertebrates in New England – and cryptic habits, often hidden under logs, leaf litter, or below the surface of streams and ponds. To help address this scientific gap in our knowledge of two of the state’s major wildlife groups, MDIFW, in cooperation with Maine Audubon and the University of Maine, launched the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project (MARAP) in 1984. Still active after 36 years, MARAP is one of the longest running citizen science projects in New England, having amassed nearly 13,000 records by hundreds of volunteers statewide. These records will be the foundation of an updated third edition of Amphibians and Reptiles of Maine, currently in preparation. In addition to improving our knowledge of the biology and distribution of amphibians and reptiles, MARAP has been instrumental for informing conservation status ranks. Reptiles and amphibians are two of the most imperiled taxa worldwide, a pattern of endangerment that is also reflected in the status of Maine’s fauna where a relatively large proportion of reptile and amphibian species (33%) are listed as state Endangered or Threatened (four species), Special Concern (six species), or Extirpated (timber rattlesnake). It’s our hope that MARAP will continue to serve not only as a tool for refining our understanding of the biogeography of Maine’s herpetofauna, but also as a means of engagement and inspiration for the next generation of citizen scientists interested in tracking and conserving the state’s biological diversity. There is much still to learn about the distribution and ecology of Maine’s herpetofauna, and we encourage members of the public to share their photo-documented observations. There are two ways to share your observations: Submit your reptile or amphibian observation online No service? No problem. Click here to download the survey to your device while connected, then take offline to collect observations from anywhere. Tip: The survey works best on Google Chrome and Safari. Or upload sightings to the iNaturalist citizen science project through their website at iNaturalist.org or mobile app. When submitting an observation through iNaturalist add a description of the location (and other noteworthy information) to the “notes” field. This serves as a check on the locations automatically generated by smartphone cameras, which may be imprecise if cell service or GPS coverage is weak. Please submit observations of any of the four state-listed reptiles — eastern box turtle (Endangered), Blanding's turtle (Endangered), spotted turtle (Threatened), and black racer (Endangered)—to MDIFW immediately by emailing [email protected] or calling 207-941-4475. For all other species, consult the distribution maps on the individual species pages to see which townships are already documented. If a township lacks a photo or specimen record, we want your observation! This work is supported by volunteer assistance, the federal State Wildlife Grants program, and state revenues from the Loon Conservation Plate and Chickadee Check-off funds. To view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Reader. If you need assistance, view our PDF Help page, or email us. Reptiles and Amphibians of Maine Frogs: American Bullfrog American Toad  Gray Treefrog Green Frog Mink Frog Northern Leopard Frog Pickerel Frog Spring Peeper Wood Frog Salamanders: Blue-spotted Salamander Eastern Newt Eastern Red-backed Salamander Four-toed Salamander Mudpuppy - Nonnative Northern Dusky Salamander Northern Two-lined Salamander Spotted Salamander Spring Salamander Snakes: Common Gartersnake Common Watersnake DeKay’s Brownsnake Eastern Milksnake Eastern Ribbonsnake North American Racer Red-bellied Snake Ring-necked Snake Smooth Greensnake Timber Rattlesnake Turtles: Blanding’s Turtle Eastern Box Turtle Eastern Musk Turtle Painted Turtle Pond Slider Snapping Turtle Spotted Turtle Wood Turtle Credits Copyright © 2023 All rights reserved. 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