Amphibians and Reptiles of Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah

Abstract

Antelope Island, situated in Great Salt Lake, Utah, is predominantly grassland (~90%), which supports a variety of organisms from grazers to predators. The island is also home to multiple freshwater springs and rocky sagebrush highlands, as well as rolling sandy dunes. Reptiles are an oft overlooked, but incredibly important, contributor of local food webs. Lizards dominate dune habitats while snakes are often observed in rocky upland habitats searching for small mammals. This chapter seeks to describe the paleogeographic history of amphibians and reptiles in the western United States generally and in Utah specifically. It is also our goal to provide context to the rich herpetological research conducted in Utah over the last 75 years that has contributed to our current understanding. This chapter will also include the species accounts for the known amphibians and reptiles inhabiting Antelope Island as well as a dichotomous key for accurate field identification. Lastly, in addition to describing how these organisms have adapted to their current habitats, we will discuss how those populations may transform as a result of a changing climate.