WPA-AN: Reptiles and Amphibians Mystery Cache

Cache is not at posted coordinates.  Solve the puzzle for the cache coordinates.

Come along on an adventure to learn about the natural history of Western Pennsylvania!  Each cache will teach you a little about being a naturalist and give you tools to learn more about what’s around you.  When you find each cache, you’ll be given a clue for the location of the final.  Finish the series, and you can consider yourself a Western PA Amateur Naturalist!

Reptiles and Amphibians

For those of us who like to be really “hands on” with the critters we meet, reptiles and amphibians are usually the easiest to catch!  It’s lots of fun to catch tadpoles or look at a toad up close.  We can enjoy the many species in Western PA while keeping both them and us safe.

Pop quiz time!  Answer the following questions to find the coordinates for this cache:

1. There are 21 species of snake in Pennsylvania, and some of them are nicer than others.  These four snakes are ones you definitely shouldn’t touch, but only 3 of them are venomous.  Which one is not venomous but is still likely to bite? - A
   1. Northern Copperhead – 4
   2. Timber Rattlesnake – 6
   3. Northern Watersnake – 7
   4. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake – 9
       
2. When you want to catch or hold a salamander or other water-loving amphibian, you should wet your hands so that they are cool and damp to protect the amphibian’s fragile skin. - B
   1. True – 2
   2. False – 8
       
3. You can tell the difference between a bullfrog and a green frog by looking at the fold of skin (stripe) that starts behind its eye.  On a bullfrog, that fold curves down around its tympanum (ear drum – the big spot by the eye), toward its shoulder.  On a green frog, that fold goes straight down its back.  Which frog is pictured here? - C
   1. Bullfrog – 1
   2. Green Frog – 9
      
4. This turtle is more commonly found on land than the other turtles of PA, and it has a hinged shell that it can close when it pulls in its legs and head to protect itself: - D
   1. Snapping turtle – 3
   2. Box turtle – 1
   3. Wood turtle – 4
   4. Musk turtle – 0
       
5. What is the biggest amphibian in Pennsylvania? - E
   1. Hellbender – 2
   2. Mudpuppy – 4
   3. Bullfrog – 7
   4. Jefferson Salamander – 9
       
6. What should you do after you find a cool reptile or amphibian? - F
   1. Take it home with you as a pet – 3
   2. Carry it with you so you can study it more, but leave it in the park when you leave – 5
   3. Put it back where you found it, and carefully put back any rocks or logs that you moved – 0

Final Coordinates:

N 40 27.ABC
W 079 44.DEF

You’ll be looking for a large lock’n’lock container with nature-themed trades and a logbook.  When you find the cache, make sure to write down or take a picture of the clue for the series final!

----------

WPA-AN: What is a Naturalist? - https://coord.info/GC8E5K6
WPA-AN: Pittsburgh Rocks! - https://coord.info/GC8E5KV
WPA-AN: Water, Water Everywhere! - https://coord.info/GC8E5MB
WPA-AN: Green Things - https://coord.info/GC8E5MH
WPA-AN: Reptiles and Amphibians - https://coord.info/GC8E5MQ
WPA-AN: This is For the Birds - https://coord.info/GC8E5N2
WPA-AN: Mammals’R’Us - https://coord.info/GC8E5N7
WPA-AN: Take Only Pictures… - https://coord.info/GC8E5NJ
WPA-AN: …Leave Only Footprints - https://coord.info/GC8E5NK
WPA-AN: The Final - https://coord.info/GC8E5JB

The WPA-AN series is brought to you by Pennsylvania Master Naturalist trainee Caitlin, of Clancy’s Crew West.  Caches are placed with permission of Allegheny County Parks, all within 30' of established trails.  Please adhere to all park rules.