Quick Links: Nongame Program Home Page Support the Nongame Program N.H's Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Species List Wildlife Species of Special Concern (PDF, 231 KB) Wildlife Species Profiles Habitats Taking Action for Wildlife! New Hampshire's Wildlife Action Plan News: Wildlines, the Nongame Program's award-winning newsletter, with Nongame project news, breeding season updates, species profiles, volunteer opportunities and more. Nongame News Updates, the latest reports and press releases from the field and more. Taking Action for Wildlife E-mail Newsletter, published quarterly by NHFG and UNH Cooperative Extension, highlighting the NH Wildlife Action Plan. Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities Workshops and Presentations, presented by NH Fish and Game and others.

Species Pages:

Turtles of NH

Salamanders of NH

Snakes of NH

Frogs of NH

Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP)

RAARP is a program coordinated by the NH Fish and Game Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program where volunteers report sightings of reptiles and amphibians from spring peepers to snapping turtles. These reports are extremely valuable to biologists. Observations are used to determine the distribution of all reptiles and amphibians within New Hampshire. Reports of less common species are very important. Verified reports of rare species locations are mapped and stored in a database used for land protection and conservation purposes. Reports should be accompanied by a clear photograph whenever possible. To be added to the spring mailing list, please contact the NH Fish and Game Wildlife Division: (603) 271-5859 or email wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov. RAARP participants must obey all local, state, and federal laws while collecting reptile and amphibian location data. Observers are strongly encouraged to get landowner permission before going onto private property.

New! Spring 2010 Letter & 2009 RAARP Summary (PDF, 5.6 MB)

Tools for RAARPers:

• Download RAARP reporting form* (PDF, 14 KB)
• Commonly asked RAARP questions
• Keys to the Amphibians & Reptiles of New Hampshire
• How to Photograph Amphibians and Reptiles
• Reporting New Hampshire Reptile & Amphibian Sightings
• The Early Spring Amphibians and Reptiles
• Tips on Field Techniques
• RAARP report archives:
  • Spring 2009 report & 2008 Summary (PDF, 1.3 MB)
  • Spring 2008 RAARP information & 2007 Summary* (PDF, 1.3 MB)
  • Spring 2007 RAARP information & 2006 Summary* (PDF, 113 KB)
  • 2005 RAARP Observation Summary Report
  
  
• Vernal pool documentation manual - now FREE FOR DOWNLOAD!
  Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that provide essential habitat for a variety of creatures. Dry basins fill as water tables rise in fall or winter and during spring snowmelt and rains; pools usually dry by mid-to late summer. For some species of amphibians and invertebrates, vernal pools are required for breeding. Other species, such as Blanding's and spotted turtles, often use vernal pools for foraging or mating. Anyone interested in locating vernal pools in their area can get detailed guidance from Identification and Documentation of Vernal Pools in New Hampshire. Click here to download (PDF - 677 KB). Vernal pools documented by volunteers are sent to the local conservation commission and NH Fish and Game. Limited hard copies are available for pickup at Fish and Game. Contact the Wildlife Division at (603) 271-2461 or wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov.

The Thrill of the Hunt Herp hunting is a fun way to connect kids with nature. N.H. Wildlife Journal March-April 2008 (pdf file, 1.3 MB).

New Hampshire reptile & amphibian information:

• List of Amphibians and Reptiles of New Hampshire
• Rules and Regulations for Reptiles and Amphibians in New Hampshire
• Eastern Hognose Snake – NH State Endangered - This is a native harmless snake and should never be harassed or injured (PDF, 1.2 MB)
• HAVE YOU SEEN ME? Marbled Salamander (PDF, 243 KB)
• Protect the Timber Rattlesnake (PDF, 125 KB)
• Species Distribution Maps - See individual species profiles
• What to do if you find an injured turtle
• Turtle nesting season - help them survive the migration!
• Wildlife Action Plan Reptile and Amphibian Profiles (PDF, 1.48 MB)

Recent reptile & amphibian research in NH:

• Amphibians at alpine ponds in the White Mountains, Jones & Smyers, 2010 (PDF, 251 KB)
• Effects of landscape composition, habitat features, nest distribution on predation rates of simulated turtle nests, Marchand & Litvaitis, 2004 (PDF, 251 KB)
• Habitat features and landscape composition on population structure of aquatic turtles, Marchand & Litvaitis, 2004 (PDF, 281 KB)
• Stage-specific and interactive effects of sedimentation and trout on a headwater stream salamander, Lowe et al., 2004 (PDF, 106 KB)
• Linking dispersal to local population dynamics: case study using a headwater salamander system, Lowe, 2003 (PDF, 116 KB)
• Local and landscape-scale predictors of salamander abundance in NH headwater streams, Lowe & Bolger, 2002 (PDF, 677 KB)
• Comparison of 2 methods to sample snake communities in early successional habitats, Kjoss & Litvaitis, 2001 (PDF, 628 KB)
• Community structure of snakes in human-dominated landscape, Kjoss & Litvaitis, 2001 (PDF, 198 KB)

Other reptile and amphibian links and resources:

• North American Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Program
• Frogwatch
• Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
• Northeast Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (NEPARC)
• Frog Call Quiz page from U.S. Geological Survey
• USGS Reptile and Amphibian checklist
• The Vernal Pool Association
• Release of unwanted pets (PDF file)

Click here for a print-and-mail donation form. Thanks for supporting the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program in N.H.!

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