This inventory was conducted at Booker T. Washington National Monument (BOWA), Virginia, in 2003 and 2004, to (1) document 90% of the amphibians (frogs, salamanders) and reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes) of BOWA; 2) describe their associated habitats; and 3) provide park staff with conservation and management recommendations.
Ten species of frogs, twelve salamander species, four turtle species, five lizard species, and 15 snake species were expected to occur at BOWA based on known distribution patterns in published literature. The proportion of species documented during this inventory was 50% for frogs, 33% for salamanders, 50% for turtles, 40% for lizards, and 33% for snakes. Total success for amphibians and reptiles was 41% and 38% of expected species, respectively. These success levels are below target levels; however, dry weather conditions in 2003 and the history of intense land use at BOWA likely contributed to the low species richness.