The Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is one of Vermont's smallest frogs. Peepers fill their vocal sacs with air until they look like a balloon, then they let out a "peep" as they release the air. Its call can either be a short ascending whistle or it may be broken into a series of ascending peeps.
Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) are active mainly during the day and are active through a wider range of temperatures than most snakes. They hibernate from late October through March or early April, but can be found basking on rocks during mild winter days. Common garter snakes hibernate in natural cavities or burrows, such as rodent burrows, crayfish burrows, under rock piles, or in stumps.
The Common Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large black bird commonly seen and heard throughout Vermont. The crow is in the Corvidae family, which also includes ravens, jays, and magpies.
These birds have loud and raucous calls that are quite unlike the songs of many other birds. Although the crow may eat agricultural crops, it also consumes enormous amounts of harmful grasshoppers, cutworms, and insects.
The woodchuck (Marmota monax) is known by a wide variety of names including earth pig, groundhog, and whistle pig. The name woodchuck is believed to have derived from the Cree Indian word wuchak.
Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial, or pouched mammal, native to North America. Although the opossum is not endemic to Vermont, a stable population has been established here.
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a highly adaptable animal that can thrive in a wide variety of habitats as long as food and shelter are available, and it is within about two miles of a water source. It is easily recognized by the white stripe running from its head to its tail and is well known for its ability to spray an unpleasant scent to ward off potential threats.
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is one of the most common medium-sized mammals in North America. Originally, the raccoon occupied habitats in hardwood forests with close proximity to a water source. Today, the raccoon is found in a wide variety of habitats and is commonly found in suburban and urban environments.
The gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is also known as the bannertail, silvertail, and cat squirrel. It can be found in mature hardwood forests dominated by hard mast, or nut producing trees such as oak, hickory, and beech. It seldom frequents softwood stands, which are more commonly used by the red squirrel.
