Herping Belleplain State Forest, NJ

     On June 6th and June 20th, my family and I went to Belleplain State Forest, NJ to both herp and bird.  The first trip rewarded us with three huge, nearly six foot long, Black Rat Snakes.  Also, right around the nature center, we saw two Five-lined Skinks.  Lastly, we found one Eastern Mud Turtle crossing the road.

Black Rat Snake

Black Rat Snake

Black Rat Snake

Black Rat Snake

Eastern Mud Turtle

 

 



     On the second trip, we found a Southern Leopard Frog and a Fowler's Toad around one pond behind the nature center.  We also found likely the same two Five-lined Skinks around the nature center, and one Ring-necked Snake under a brick behind the nature center.

Southern Leopard Frog

Ring-necked Snake