Richard Franz, David Maehr, Alton Kinlaw, Christopher O’Brien,
and Richard D. Owen

Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-7800

We surveyed the Avon Park Air Force Range (APR) for sensitve wildlife species between October 1996 and May 1998. This active bombing range is located approximately 9.5 miles east of the town of Avon Park in Highlands and Polk counties, Florida. This 106,074-acre military reservation is bounded on the east by the Kissimmee River and on the west by Arbuckle Creek, including Lake Arbuckle and the Arbuckle Marsh.

The property is dominated topographically by a north/south trending, sand ridge, referred to as the Bombing Range Ridge. A former dune complex, this ridge represents a classic 'drum-stick’ barrier island, thought to have developed during an early Pleistocene marine regression, similar to that which formed the nearby Lake Wales Ridge. Elevations on the ridge range from 40 feet along the Kissimmee River to 146 feet above mean sea level at its crest.

The habitats include oak scrubs with sand pine, turkey oak sandhills, mature oak hammocks, dry pine flatwoods, dry prairies, planted pine plantations, hardwood swamp forests, bay swamps, cypress strands and ponds, freshwater marshes, ephemeral ponds, and permanent water bodies (including Lake Arbuckle, Kissimmee River, and deep borrow pits and canals).

The amphibian fauna includes 17 species of frogs and six species of salamanders, belonging to nine families; reptiles include the alligator, nine species of turtles, the Florida worm lizard, nine species of lizards, and 25 species of snakes in 15 families. One frog (greenhouse frog) and two lizards (Indo-Pacific gecko and brown anole) are exotic. Gopher frogs, gopher tortoises, Florida pine snakes, indigo snakes, and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are considered sensitive species on the site.

Information from these surveys was submitted to the Natural Resources staff at the Avon Park Air Force Range (final report, Project RWO-169) on 31 December 1998. Funding was provided by the U.S. Air Force, through the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Florida.

Greenhouse Frog, Eleutherodactylus planirostris planirostris. Introduced. Common at office and apartments on Easy Street, Willingham Campground, Morgan Hole Campground, and between Echo Springs/Sandy Hill roads. Its presence at sites away from developed areas suggests that this species has become naturalized in woodlands on APR.

BUFONIDAE

Marine Toad, Bufo marinus. Introduced. Two individuals were found in the vicinity of the apartments on Easy Street and near the Fire Tower and Natural Resources Cabin, POLK CO. Breeding was not observed during the APR survey.

Oak Toad, Bufo quercicus. Abundant and ubiquitous on APR. Common statewide.

Southern Toad, Bufo terrestris. Abundant and ubiquitous. Common statewide.

Florida Cricket Frog, Acris gryllus dorsalis. Abundant in all wetlands. This subspecies occurs throughout most of Florida and is replaced by another subspecies in parts of the Florida panhandle.

Green Treefrog, Hyla cinerea. Abundant. Breeds in permanent wetlands. Common statewide

Pinewoods Treefrog, Hyla femoralis. Common. Breeds in ephemeral wetlands. Resident in native pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and oak scrub. Common statewide.

Barking Treefrog, Hyla gratiosa. Common. Breeds in ephemeral ponds. Secretive, sometimes in burrows. Resident in oak scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and turkey scrub. Locally common statewide.

Squirrel Treefrog, Hyla squirella. Abundant. Breeds in ephemeral wetlands. Resident in scrubby flatwoods, turkey scrubs, oak hammocks, and around human habitations. Common statewide.

Little Grass Frog, Pseudacris ocularis. Locally common in grassy flatwoods and dry prairies. Breeds in shallow waters in ditches and grassy ponds. Common statewide. Highlands County occurrences represent a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1988).

Florida Chorus Frog, Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa. Locally common. Secretive. Breeds in shallow water in grassy flatwoods ponds and ditches. Residential habitat unknown. This subspecies is restricted to peninsular Florida; a second subspecies occurs in the panhandle. The Highlands County observations represent a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1988).

Cuban Treefrog, Osteoplius septentrionalis. Introduced. Common on the buildings on Easy Street, with breeding occurring in the catchment ditches in back of the apartments, POLK CO. The frog was not found away from human habitations.

Eastern Narrowmouth Frog, Gastrophryne carolinensis. Abundant and ubiquitous. Common statewide. Breeds in shallow, ephemeral pools and ditches.

Florida Gopher Frog, Rana capito aesopus. Locally common. Breeds in ephemeral ponds associated with upland habitats. Frequent resident of gopher tortoise burrows oak scrubs, native pine flatwoods, and turkey scrubs. See report. This subspecies occurs throughout east Florida and is replaced by a second race in the panhandle. Protected in Florida.

Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. Recorded from four sites: calling males in ephemeral pond south of Bravo and Frostproof, calling adults and tadpoles in pond on Frostproof 1 mi NW Jct of Arnold Hammock Road, pond on Kissimmee Road on Main Base near prison, POLK CO.; tadpoles in cattle pond on South Echo Springs Road, HIGHLANDS CO. Tadpoles of this species also were found in an off-site ephemeral pond on north side of CR 64 in Arbuckle State Forest, POLK CO. Common statewide, except for extreme south Florida. The Highlands County specimens represent a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1988). It reaches its most southern limits in Highlands and Charlotte counties.

Pig Frog, Rana grylio. Common in permanent wetlands, borrow pits, deeper roadside ditches, Lake Arbuckle, Arbuckle Marsh, and Kissimmee River. Common statewide.

Southern Leopard Frog, Rana utricularia. Abundant and ubiquitous. Breeds in most wetlands on APR. Common statewide. There is a possibility that leopard frog populations in the Florida peninsula may represent an undescribed taxon.

Two-toed Amphiuma, Amphiuma means. Probably common. Known only from a cypress pond at jct. Kulhanek/Ramsey roads, HIGHLANDS CO. Common statewide.

PLETHODONTIDAE

Dwarf Salamander, Eurycea quadridigitata. Known only from cutthroat seepage slopes associated with pine flatwoods along Billig Road, POLK CO. Common statewide. Certain populations in the Florida panhandle apparently represent undescribed taxa.

Peninsula Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens piaropicola. Probably common. Know from cypress and bayhead ponds on Kulhanek, HIGHLANDS CO.; ditches on Kissimmee Road on west side of OQ Range, HIGHLANDS CO. This subspecies is restricted to south Florida. Another subspecies occurs in north and west Florida. The Highlands County specimens represent a new county record for the species (Ashton and Ashton 1988).

Greater Siren, Siren lacertina. Probably common in permanent wetlands. Know from only one site: Rim Canal, ditch intersecting Utes Road, 100 m S jct Jennings Memorial Drive POLK CO., 18 Mar 96, L. Nico, et al. (UF 108785). Common statewide.

Lesser Siren, Siren intermedia. Common in ephemeral wetlands and in cypress ponds. Common in peninsular Florida; populations in west Florida represent several undescribed taxa (P.E. Moler, pers. comm.).

Dwarf Siren, Pseudobranchus axanthus axanthus. Uncommon. Known from Arbuckle Marsh at Sandy Point Refuge, southern edge of Foxtrot Range, POLK CO.; cypress pond W jct Alexander/Van Eeghen roads, HIGHLAND CO. The Highlands County specimens represent a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1988). This subspecies occurs in north Florida, reaching its southern limits in the Avon Park area. A second subspecies occurs in south Florida. No Pseudobranchus striatus are reported from this region (Paul Moler, pers. comm.).

REPTILES

(Alligators)

American Alligator, Alligator mississipiensis. Common in Lake Arbuckle, Arbuckle Creek, Arbuckle Marsh, borrow ponds, road side ditches, and in some more permanent flatwoods and upland ponds. Three were apparently killed and at least one butchered during hunting season in 1997 and 1998; several others were found dead on the road (DOR). Common statewide.

CHELYDRIDAE

Florida Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina osceola. Possibly rare. One DOR turtle near the Guard Meeting House, POLK CO. This subspecies is restricted to peninsular Florida; another subspecies occurs in the Florida panhandle and extreme northeastern Florida.

Florida Chicken Turtle, Deirochelys reticularia chrysea. Rare. One record from a pond on Frostproof Road S of Carter Road, POLK CO. This record represents a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1985). This subspecies is restricted to peninsular Florida; another subspecies occurs in the panhandle.

Peninsula Cooter, Pseudemys floridana peninsularis. Common in permanent wetlands, especially along Frostproof Road, POLK CO. This subspecies is restricted to peninsula Florida.

Florida Redbelly Turtle, Pseudemys nelsoni. Common in permanent wetlands, particularly along Frostproof and Degagne roads, POLK CO. The Polk County sightings represent a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1985). This species is endemic to peninsular Florida.

Florida Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina bauri. Common and ubiquitous. This subspecies occurs in peninsular Florida and is replaced by several other subspecies in the panhandle.

Striped Mud Turtle, Kinosternon bauri palmarum. Status unknown. A shell was found in close proximity to a caracara nest near Kissimmee River, HIGHLANDS Co. This turtle is thought to be restricted in peninsular Florida, although new molecular data indicate it may have a wider distribution in the Atlantic coastal plain.

Florida Mud Turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri. Apparently uncommon. One record in pasture on the western end of Kissimmee Road, HIGHLANDS CO. This peninsular subspecies is replaced by another subspecies in west and north Florida.

Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus. Locally common in upland habitats. See report. Statewide. Protected as a Species of Special Concern in Florida.

Florida Soft-shelled Turtles, Apalone ferox. Locally common. Records include a pond near jct of Degagne/Frostproof roads, Lake Arbuckle Nature Trail, and roadside ditch on Degagne Road, POLK CO.; Kissimmee Road at jct with OQ Range, HIGHLANDS CO. Common statewide.

Florida Worm Lizard, Rhineura floridana. Secretive. Records include Willingham Campground, 1 mile E of Lake Arbuckle, POLK COUNTY, 26 July 1990, Rick Howton. (P. Walsh, pers. comm.); excavated during construction of drift fence in oak scrub during Branch/Hokit project, HIGHLANDS CO. Primarily in peninsular Florida.

Eastern Slender Glass Lizard, Ophisaurus attentuatus longicaudus. Secretive. Unverified record. Probably statewide. Literature records from Polk County (Ashton and Ashton 198-), but not Highlands County. Report from APR needs verification.

Island Glass Lizard, Ophisaurus compressus. Secretive. Common on Kissimmee and Bubba roads, associated with central ridge, HIGHLANDS CO. Uncommon in peninsular Florida

Indo-Pacific Gecko, Hemidactylus garnoti. Introduced. Found on buildings on Easy Street, POLK CO.

Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis. Abundant and ubiquitous. Common statewide.

Cuban Brown Anole, Anolis sagrei. Introduced. Found on buildings on Easy Street, Willingham Campground, and borrow pit at jct of Degagne and Frostproof roads, POLK CO.; Air Force Headquarters and Operations Building, HIGHLANDS CO.

Scrub Lizard, Sceloporus woodi. Abundant in oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods. Restricted to peninsular Florida, south of the Oklawaha River.

Southeastern Five-lined Skink, Eumeces inexpectatus. Abundant and ubiquitous. Occurs in peninsular Florida, but it may be absent from the Florida panhandle based on current records.

Ground Skink, Scincella laterale. Abundant and ubiquitous. Common statewide.

Eastern Six-lined Racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexilineatus sexlineatus. Common in upland habitats, particularly along sand roads and barrens. Common statewide.

Florida Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea coccinea. Secretive. Probably more common than records indicate. Captured in pit fall traps in native pine flatwoods near Foxtrot Range, POLK CO.; NW of Tschirhert Road, SW jct Ramsey/Kulhanek road, HIGHLANDS CO. Specimens also reported by Branch-Hokit in scrub. The Highlands County observations represent a new county record. Subspecies restricted to peninsular Florida; another subspecies occurs in the Florida panhandle.

Southern Black Racer, Coluber constrictor priapus. Abundant and ubiquitous. Common statewide, except for other subspecies in Apalachicola area and extreme south Florida.

Eastern Indigo Snake, Drymarchon corais couperi. See report. Statewide. Protected as Threatened Species by United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Southern Ringneck Snake, Diadophis punctatus punctatus. Common in mixed hardwood swamp forests and oak hammocks. Specific records include Lake Arbuckle Nature Trail, SE corner of Foxtrot Range at Blood/Oliver roads, POLK CO.; jct Kissimmee/Bravo roads, HIGHLANDS. Statewide.

Corn Snake, Elaphe guttata guttata. Common and ubiquitous. Common statewide.

Yellow Ratsnake, Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata. Common and ubiquitous. Subspecies occurs in peninsular Florida; other subspecies in extreme south Florida and the Florida panhandle.

Eastern Mudsnake, Farancia abacura abacura. Probably common in permanent wetlands. Known from one DOR record from jct of Tick Island and Wood roads. Common statewide.

Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos. Possibly rare. Known from one record: Kissimmee Road (Dave Leonard, pers. comm.). Statewide.

Scarlet Kingsnake, Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides. Probably more common at APR than records indicate. APR records include 1 mi NW jct Kissimmee Road and Tschirhart Road, POLK CO., 0.5 mi SW jct Ramsey Road and Kulhanek Road, HIGHLANDS CO. The Highlands County observation represents a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1981). Statewide.

Eastern Coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum flagellum. Probably common on most upland sites. Common statewide.

Florida Green Watersnake, Nerodia floridana. Probably common. Records include ditches in dry prairie on Kissimmee Road and bomb craters on Echo Range, HIGHLANDS CO. Statewide except for extreme west Florida.

Florida Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata pictiventris. Abundant in all wetlands. Subspecies in peninsular Florida; another subspecies in west Florida.

Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus. Probably more common than records indicate. Records include oak hammock jct Old Bravo/Smith roads, POLK CO.; oak hammock on E end Kissimmee Road, flatwoods on W border of Charlie Range and Kissimmee Road, HIGHLANDS CO. Statewide.

Florida Pine Snake, Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus. Rare. Secretive. Know from one record in oak scrub on west side of Old Bravo Road, HIGHLANDS CO. Uncommon statewide. Thought to be declining throughout the state.

Striped Crayfish Snake, Regina alleni. Uncommon. Records from roadside ditch on Black Road S of Wood Road and Smith Grade at jct with Morgan Creek, POLK CO (O’Brien, 1998). Species restricted to peninsular Florida.

Pine Woods Snake, Rhadinaea flavilata. Rare. Secretive. Two records from flatwoods NE of jct Blood/Oliver roads, POLK CO.; cut over flatwoods adjacent to wet prairie N of jct Morgan/Alexander, HIGHLANDS CO. Probably statewide; records lacking for most west Florida counties. The Highlands County specimen represents a new county record (Ashton and Ashton 1981).

South Florida Swamp Snake, Seminatrix pygaea cyclas. Uncommon. One record from W of jct Morgan/Alexander roads, HIGHLANDS CO. Peninsular subspecies; another subspecies in north and west Florida.

Florida Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi victa. Locally common. Multiple observations on Tick Island Road, POLK CO. and Kissimmee Road, HIGHLANDS CO. Peninsular Florida with other subspecies in west Florida.

Peninsula Crowned Snake, Tantilla relicta relicta. Locally common in scrub. Species restricted to peninsular Florida. Several subspecies recognized in peninsular Florida.

Southern Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis sauritus sackeni. Abundant and ubiquitous, particularly along Kissimmee Road. Peninsular Florida with other subspecies in west Florida.

Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis. Common and ubiquitous. Statewide; a second subspecies confined to Gulf Coast marshes.

Eastern Coral Snake, Micrurus fulvius fulvius. Probably common. Known from two records (DOR) on Kissimmee Road and in mature sand pine forest near north Sandy Hill Grade, HIGHLANDS CO. Common statewide.

Florida Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti. Common and ubiquitous in all wetlands. Common statewide. Peninsular Florida subspecies; another subspecies in west Florida.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalis adamanteus. See report. Statewide. Considered declining throughout Florida.

Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri. Common and ubiquitous on APR. Common statewide.

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