HERPETOFAUNAL ASSEMBLAGE AND NATURAL HISTORY OF A WETLAND AND PRAIRIE COMPLEX OF THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

Abstract

Tallgrass prairies are some of the most imperiled ecosystems in North America, yet the herpetofauna found within these habitats are not well known. We studied the herpetofaunal assemblage of the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt and Chichaqua Wildlife Management Area complex (CBG) in Iowa as well as the natural history of Thamnophis species. We found that the CBG housed substantial diversity with seven species of anurans, one species of salamander, three species of turtles, and nine species of snakes. Three Thamnophis species in the CBG differed in body size, diet, and both ambient temperature and time of day at capture. This research contributes to our knowledge of the diversity and natural history of herpetofauna in northern prairies.