AUGUSTA – To help protect some of Maine’s least understood species, the state has just released three new natural history posters.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife posters depict Maine’s turtles, amphibians and snakes.

Each of the three 20-by-28-inch posters, which sell for $3 apiece or $8 for the full set, features full color photographs on the front side for identification, and a biological summary of species distribution, habitat preferences, breeding information, and threats to their existence as narratives on the poster’s backside.

In a press release, a department wildlife biologist, Phillip deMaynadier, stated, “Maine’s 34 species of frogs, salamanders, snakes, and turtles make an important contribution to the state’s natural heritage. Maine would be a poorer place without them.”

Both as predator and prey, deMaynadier said, reptiles and amphibians play significant roles in the complex food chains of Maine’s forests and wetlands.

“Their motley colors, shapes and choruses also enrich the outdoor experiences of children, naturalists and sportsmen,” he added.

Funding for the poster project was provided by a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and from the department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, which derives its proceeds from the chickadee checkoff and loon license plate fund.

The amphibian poster features Maine’s frogs, toads, newts and salamanders.

The turtle poster depicts Maine’s seven turtles: two state endangered species, Blanding’s and Eastern box; one state-threatened species, the spotted turtle; and the common musk turtle and wood turtle, both species of special concern in the state.

Others include the snapping turtle and painted turtle, Maine’s two most common turtle species.

The snake poster features Maine’s 10 snakes. These include the eastern racer, which is endangered in Maine; and the eastern ribbon snake, a species of special concern.

For more information, visit www.state.me.us/ifw/education/naturalhistoryposters.htm.