Nebraska
We hope this page serves as a landing pad for learning about amphibians, reptiles, and their conservation. The resources featured were compiled by members of the MW PARC Advisory Board with input from other professionals working in amphibian and reptile conservation and management.
If links or information are out of date, please let us know!
State species
Nebraska's official state reptile, the Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), was elected in 2022.
Field guides and species accounts
A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Nebraska. Written by Daniel D. Fogell. (Available for purchase)
Amphibians and Reptiles of Nebraska. Written by Royce E. Ballinger, John D. Lynch, and Geoffrey R. Smith. (Available for purchase)
Reptiles of Nebraska. Nebraska Game and Parks.
Nebraska's Guide to Snakes, Turtles, Frogs, Lizards and Salamanders. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Nebraska Herpetofaunal Atlas. This site maintains species occurrence records and species accounts for amphibians and reptiles in the state.
Conservation and management
The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project 2011 State Wildlife Action Plan. This document outlines a plan for conserving the state's rarest species while also supporting more common species.
Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii): Species Conservation Assessment. Written by Melissa J. Panella and Coleen Rothe-Groleau. This article, published in 2023, provides an overview of the conservation status of Blanding's Turtles in Nebraska.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus): A species conservation assessment for the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. Written by Melissa J. Panella, Dan Fogell, and Coleen Rothe-Groleau. The purpose of this document is to provide a conservation assessment for an at-risk species in Nebraska.
Regulations
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regulates the taking, selling, and release of amphibians and reptiles in the state. You can find details in the Nebraska Administrative Code.
The state also has Scientific and Education Permits that are required if you are going to do research or teaching with amphibians and reptiles.
Community science and local organizations
Great Plains Herpetology Community of Practice. This organization was co-founded by Colleen Rothe-Groleau. For more information, please contact them (colleen.rothe-groleau [at] nebraska.gov
Museum collections
University of Nebraska State Museum. The museum houses a collection of over 10,400 specimens of amphibians and reptiles.