The American toad, or Anaxyrus americanus, is found on the limestone islands off Ohio's coast, including Gibraltar Island. These amphibians are found near freshwater bodies of water and are primarily active during the early evening hours. Most adult American toads grow up to 2.5 to 3 inches. While touching American toads do not give humans warts, these amphibians release a secretion which causes skin irritation. This secretion is used to defend itself from potential predators. Female American toads lay their jelly-like eggs in water; after being born, these toads are water-dwelling tadpoles during the first phase of their existence.
Only found on Gibraltar Island and its surrounding islands -- Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass and Pelee Islands -- the Lake Erie water snake, or Nerodia sipedon insularum, is considered threatened. Lake Erie water snakes on Gibraltar Island are under the protection of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. When they mature, this snake species grows up to 3.5 feet in length. The primary reason for this snake's threatened status is loss of habitat and human encroachment.
As its name suggests, the red-bellied water snake has red scales on its belly and dark skin on its dorsal region. The scientific name for the red-bellied water snake is Nerodia erythrogaster. At its largest, red-bellied water snakes grow up to four feet in length. Fish and amphibians are the major staples of the red-bellied water snakes diet, causing it to spend most of its time hunting on Gibraltar Island's shoreline. Female red-bellied water snakes are larger than males but have smaller tails.
The copperbelly water snake, or Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta, is in the same genus as red-bellied water snakes, but have more brownish-colored bellies. In the islands of Northwest Ohio, this snake species is considered threatened by the U.S. government and protected by the Endangered Species Act and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The longest copperbelly water snakes are five feet.
Gibraltar Island is home to the bullfrog, or Rana catesbiana. This amphibian grows up to five inches in length, making it the largest amphibian in Ohio. According to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the bullfrog seldom leaves aquatic areas. Like other frog species, bullfrogs spend the first part of their lives submerged underwater as tadpoles. Bullfrogs take up to four years before they are full mature and live as long as 16 years.