The three-toed box turtle is the most common of the two species and is found statewide. It is a small turtle, with adults typically measuring about 5 inches long. The three-toed box turtle has a high-domed shell that is brown or black with radiating yellow or orange markings. The plastron (lower shell) is yellowish tan with dark markings.

Box turtles are protected in Arkansas and it is illegal to possess or collect them. They are slow-moving turtles and are often found crossing roads, so it is important to be aware of them when driving. If you see a box turtle crossing the road, you can help it by gently picking it up and moving it to the side of the road in the direction it was headed.

Box turtles are omnivores and eat a variety of plants, insects, and worms. They are solitary animals and spend most of their time foraging for food and basking in the sun. They hibernate during the winter, usually from October to March.

Box turtles are an important part of the Arkansas ecosystem. They help to control insect populations and they also disperse seeds of plants. They are also a popular species with wildlife watchers and nature photographers.

The Dwarf American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi) is a small toad found in Arkansas and parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. It is a subspecies of the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus), but it is smaller and has a more reddish coloration. Dwarf American toads typically grow to be about 1.5-2.5 inches long. They have smooth, warty skin that is usually a rusty red color with dark spots. Their underside is speckled with black. Dwarf American toads have large parotoid glands behind their eyes that produce a poisonous secretion.

Dwarf American toads are found in a variety of habitats in Arkansas, including forests, meadows, and swamps. They are most active at night and during the spring and fall. During the day, they hide under rocks, logs, or in leaf litter. Dwarf American toads eat a variety of insects, including beetles, flies, and ants. They also eat worms, snails, and slugs.

Dwarf American toads breed in the spring and summer. The males call to attract females. The females lay their eggs in shallow water. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which develop into toads over the course of several months.

Dwarf American toads are not considered to be endangered or threatened. However, they are vulnerable to habitat loss and pollution. It is important to protect their habitats in order to ensure their survival.

Here are some additional facts about Dwarf American Toads in Arkansas:

They are known for their long, melodic trilling call.

They are poisonous to predators.

They are an important part of the Arkansas ecosystem.

They are vulnerable to habitat loss and pollution.

If you see a Dwarf American Toad in Arkansas, be sure to admire it from a safe distance and let it go about its day.

The eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a non-venomous snake found in Arkansas and throughout much of the eastern United States. It is a relatively small snake, with adults typically measuring about 18-24 inches long. The eastern hognose snake has a stout body and a short, upturned snout. The scales are smooth and the coloration is variable, but most individuals are brown or black with white or yellow blotches.

Eastern hognose snakes are harmless to humans, but they are often mistaken for venomous snakes, such as rattlesnakes. This is because the eastern hognose snake has a number of defensive behaviors that mimic those of venomous snakes. For example, the eastern hognose snake will often flatten its head and body, hiss loudly, and even strike at an intruder. If this does not deter the threat, the eastern hognose snake may roll over onto its back and play dead. It will even open its mouth and release a foul-smelling musk.

Eastern hognose snakes are not aggressive snakes and they will only bite if they are cornered or feel threatened. If you see an eastern hognose snake, it is best to leave it alone. If you must move the snake, it is important to do so carefully and gently.

Eastern hognose snakes are an important part of the Arkansas ecosystem. They help to control populations of rodents and insects. They are also a popular species with wildlife watchers and nature photographers.

Here are some additional facts about eastern hognose snakes in Arkansas:

• They are active during the day and night.

• They eat a variety of small animals, including rodents, frogs, and insects.

• They are solitary snakes and only come together to mate.

• They are listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN.

If you see an eastern hognose snake in Arkansas, be sure to admire it from a safe distance and let it go about its day.