The scaly and slimy creatures that crawl and slither across the ground can be found living in, on, and around trees throughout a canopy ecosystem. In this article on Nashville wildlife, we’ll go over how reptiles and amphibians contribute essential services to the maintenance and balance of a wooded area, whether in the wilderness or in your backyard. We’ll also consider habitat loss and share some tips on how residents can support amphibian and reptilian populations at home.

What’s the Difference Between Amphibians and Reptiles?

Herpetology is the study of both reptiles and amphibians. “Herpet-” is from Greek, meaning “reptile,” but today, it refers to both groups of “creeping” animals. Reptiles include lizards, turtles, and snakes, while amphibians include frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders. 

These two groups are related, sharing similarities such as being cold-blooded. Beyond their similarities, it’s the differences between these two groups that further highlight their particular positions in the wider environment. These differences include:

• Skin: Reptiles have scales and dry skin, while amphibians have smooth skin that must stay moist.

• Habitat: Reptiles live on dry land, and some spend time in water occasionally. Amphibians spend their youth in water, and some never leave. Other types of adult amphibians live on land but spend a large portion of their time in water and must stay moist when out of water, requiring damp or humid conditions.

• Reproduction: Amphibians must lay their eggs in water, while reptile eggs have a soft or hard shell that can be laid on (and are sometimes buried in) the ground. Some reptiles even give live birth.

• Life Cycle: Amphibians go through a metamorphosis from aquatic juveniles (such as tadpoles) to land-capable adults (like toads). Reptiles don’t change form as they age; they only get bigger.

• Temperature Sensitivity: Reptiles have a greater tolerance to heat and dryness than amphibians do; amphibians need to be moist constantly and stay in cooler, humid habitats like wetlands and caves. 

Despite these differences, reptiles and amphibians both rely on trees in their habitats to provide opportunities for shelter, shade (to lower the ambient temperature), moisture, stabilized water bodies like rivers and lakes, and food such as insects, smaller wildlife, and plant materials like leaves and berries. 

The Tree Canopy as a Habitat for Amphibians and Reptiles

Tree preservation is a cornerstone of broader environmental conservation efforts, and managing our trees for wildlife habitat is an effective way for individuals and organizations (such as the NTCC) to take impactful action in supporting the health of local ecosystems.

Amphibians and reptiles can be found climbing on the branches of trees, foraging among the leaves that accumulate on the ground during fall and winter, resting in shrubs and grass, sprawled in wet areas after rain, and living in and around ponds, lakes, and rivers, as well as in damp caves. Whether in or near trees, both reptiles and amphibians rely on the features of a landscape for habitat and sources of food.

• Lizards: Small lizards feed on insects found in and near trees, like moths, beetles, and crickets, while some eat leaves and flowers. The eastern fence lizard is one of the most common lizards in Nashville and can be found on trees, as well as in logs and brush piles on the ground, while green anole lizards like to bask in the sun on tree limbs in moist or humid areas.

• Turtles: Turtles live in aquatic, wetland, or grassy ecosystems that are stabilized by trees, and they climb on low-bending branches and logs to bask in sunlight and find food. The eastern box turtle eats berries, insects, flowers, and small amphibians that can be found in woodland and grassy areas, and snapping turtles eat mostly aquatic life like fish and crustaceans in their underwater habitats.

• Snakes: Snakes are carnivorous, and their tree-dwelling prey includes rodents, birds, eggs, other small reptiles, and amphibians. Some snakes are good climbers, like the green tree snake (which lives in trees) and the rat snake (which is usually ground-dwelling but hunts in trees). Garter snakes, eastern copperheads, and timber rattlesnakes live on the ground in the tree litter of wooded areas.

• Frogs and Toads: Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs, while toads are warty, stocky, and drier, allowing them to roam further from water than frogs, which need to be moist constantly. They both eat insects, worms, spiders, and small fish and invertebrates. Tree frogs can be found on branches or in leaf litter, while bullfrogs and toads climb in trees to hunt but mostly live on the ground. 

• Newts and Salamanders: Newts are a type of salamander, while not all salamanders are newts. A newt, which is generally smaller, spends most of its adult life in water (they have webbed feet for this), while salamanders are terrestrial and have toes that can dig in dirt and grasp to climb. Newts and salamanders tend to climb up trees to find food. Their diets include insects, worms, small invertebrates, and fish. The eastern newt (also called the red-spotted newt) and the mud salamander are just two of the many species local to Nashville.

Reptiles and amphibians tend to be in the middle of the food chain, preying on smaller animals while being prey for larger ones. Of course, some reptiles, like big turtles and alligators, aren’t nearly as susceptible as their smaller relatives. Birds of prey like hawks, eagles, herons, and crows, mammals of all kinds, and other reptiles like snakes and lizards all rely on reptiles and amphibians as part of their diet.

How Do Trees Benefit From Amphibians and Reptiles?

Whether big or small, the presence of reptiles and amphibians in wooded ecosystems is very important to the health of the trees:

• Pest Control: Amphibians and reptiles feed on the insects and other small invertebrates found on and around trees. By eating some of the numerous flies, moths, caterpillars, beetles, and other tiny creatures, they prevent damage to trees that can occur when too many insects eat down the leaves, buds, and wood. 

• Nutrient Cycling: Like other wildlife, reptiles and amphibians digest and make nutrients available for trees to absorb through the soil. The omnivorous nature of most reptiles and amphibians creates a nutrient-rich fertilizer for topsoil where they are present, moving vitamins, minerals, and organic matter between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

• Soil Aeration and Disturbance: When reptiles and amphibians crawl, dig, and burrow, the movement of the organic material allows moisture and oxygen to get mixed into the topsoil, making nutrients more accessible to tree roots. They also create spaces for other small wildlife to find shelter or move freely through the ground. 

The presence of reptiles and amphibians is an important indicator of tree and canopy health. The combination of their specialized habitat requirements, their effects on tree health, and their presence as prey for larger animals can show that an ecosystem has the balance to host biodiverse wildlife both below and above the ecological positions of reptiles and amphibians.

What Is the Tennessee State Reptile?

The iconic eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is the state reptile of Tennessee. Between four and eight inches in size, the brown-to-green shells of these turtles have distinctive orange and yellow markings. They’re known as box turtles because they can retreat into their shells and close the openings for protection from predators. These terrestrial turtles live in vegetated areas near water, although they spend most of their time on the ground. The eastern box turtle is a vulnerable species in some areas, where population numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss from human activities.

What Is the Tennessee State Amphibian?

The state amphibian is the Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus), which lives exclusively in the caves of central Tennessee. This half-foot-long, yellowish-pink salamander has gills, is practically blind, and hunts by scent in the crevices and pools of its cave habitat. The Tennessee cave salamander is a vulnerable species due to temperature increases, disturbances from human activities in and around caves, and water quality reduction from pollutants.

Creating Habitats for Amphibians and Reptiles at Home

There are many ways to help local reptile and amphibian populations in your yard and gardens:

• Plant Native Trees: Native trees host native insects that local reptiles and amphibians rely on for food. Leaf litter from deciduous species also contributes important ground habitat. Mature trees with cavities, moss, and lichen provide microenvironments for small reptiles and amphibians to find shelter, nourishment, and moisture.

• Set Aside Wild Patches: Areas in a backyard where native perennial plants can grow, leaf litter can collect, and soil is undisturbed provide safe and complex habitats for wildlife. Spots where water drains and collects provide important breeding grounds and refreshment opportunities for reptiles and amphibians.

• Minimize Pesticides and Chemical Use: Find natural solutions when possible.

• Monitor and Track Wildlife Visitors: When you notice amphibians and reptiles in your yard, pay attention to the ones you see and make note of them. It means you’re providing the right conditions for them to thrive. Conservation can truly start at home when we are intentional about environmental care!

Reptiles and Amphibians in Nashville’s Ecosystem

Reptiles and amphibians of every kind are essential players in Nashville’s ecosystem. While habitat loss is threatening wildlife populations, we can support their presence by maintaining and creating spaces that can host reptilian and amphibian communities, as well as other types of local wildlife. To learn more about these creeping creatures, check out these resources:

• Reptiles of Tennessee: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

• Amphibians of Tennessee: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

• Nashville Zoo: Visit and learn about amphibians, reptiles, and all kinds of animals at the Nashville Zoo, where they also do important research and contribute to conservation efforts.

• Tennessee Herpetological Society 

Embrace Reptiles and Amphibians in Your Area!

To fill out your yard’s landscape ecosystem, browse the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps tree sale for a wide selection of native and ornamental trees! Join us at one of our volunteer events to help care for and expand our city’s public canopy or donate a tree for us to plant. We appreciate financial donations as well; every dollar received goes toward supporting NTCC’s mission. To stay updated on our activities, subscribe to our email newsletter or check out our Linktree for more ways to connect with us.