Home ID Keys: Frogs Salamanders Turtles Lizards & Snakes How to key Glossary Photos: Frogs Salamanders Turtles Lizards & Snakes Links |
Cortland Herpetology ConnectionHow to use the identification keys The usefulness of the Amphibian and Reptile Atlas depends on its accuracy.
It is essential that each animal you report is accurately identified. But
that's not too hard using the identification keys we provide.
This step means that if your animal has external gills (line 1.a.), then it must be a salamander, and you now know in which of the groups your animal belongs. If you click on the linked text "salamander," your browser will take you to the detailed key to salamanders. If your animal lacks external gills (line 1.b.), then go to Step 2. If you click on the 2, you'll jump down to the next step in the key.
In other words, if it has scales or a shell go to Step 3. If not, jump to Step 4.
Again, clicking on turtle will take you to the turtle key, and clicking on lizards and snakes will take you to the lizard and snake key.
When you go to the key for each major group (frogs,
salamanders, turtles, or
lizards and snakes) you should start with the key to
the families at the top of the page. This will tell you the name of the family
in which your animal belongs.
Clicking on costal grooves will take you
to that entry in the glossary. Use the back button on your browser to return to
the key. Most browsers will return you to the exact spot in the key where you
were. With others you may find yourself dropped off somewhere else in the key.
Special thanks to all those who generously loaned images and other help. See our credits page for more information. http://www.cortland.edu/herp/keys/howtokey.htm |