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List of Texas reptiles
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Texas reptiles, including all snake
s, lizard
s, crocodilians, and turtle
s native to the state of Texas
.
The state of Texas has a large variety of habitats
, from swamp
s, coastal marsh
es and pine forest
s in the east, rocky hills and limestone
karst
in the center, desert
in the south and west, mountains in the far west, and grassland
prairie
in the north. This vast contrast in biome
s makes Texas home to an extremely wide variety of herpetofauna
. Its central position in the United States
means that species found primarily in either the western or eastern reaches of the country often have their ranges meeting in the state. Its proximity to Mexico
is such that many species found there and into Central America
range as far north as Texas. The abundance of reptile
s makes the state a prime area for research, and most species found in Texas have been well studied.
Texas state law protects several reptile species; threatened species
denoted as (T) and endangered species
denoted as (E). The moderate climate of Texas has also led to some species being introduced to the state and establishing a permanent population, denoted as (I).
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(Anguid Lizards)
(Anoles)
(Collared and Leopard Lizards)
(Iguanas)
(Sand, Horned, and Spiny Lizards)
(Whiptails)
(Blind Snakes)
(Vipers)
(Marine Turtles)
Family Dermochelidae (Leatherback Turtles)
(Mud and Musk Turtles)
(Water and Box Turtles)
(Snapping Turtles)
(Softshell Turtles)
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
s, lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s, crocodilians, and turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
s native to the state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
The state of Texas has a large variety of habitats
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
, from swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s, coastal marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es and pine forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s in the east, rocky hills and limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
in the center, desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
in the south and west, mountains in the far west, and grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
prairie
Prairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
in the north. This vast contrast in biome
Biome
Biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems. Some parts of the earth have more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a...
s makes Texas home to an extremely wide variety of herpetofauna
Herpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
. Its central position in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
means that species found primarily in either the western or eastern reaches of the country often have their ranges meeting in the state. Its proximity to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
is such that many species found there and into Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
range as far north as Texas. The abundance of reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
s makes the state a prime area for research, and most species found in Texas have been well studied.
Texas state law protects several reptile species; threatened species
Threatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
denoted as (T) and endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
denoted as (E). The moderate climate of Texas has also led to some species being introduced to the state and establishing a permanent population, denoted as (I).
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Crocodilians
Family AlligatoridaeAlligatoridae
Alligatoridae is a family of crocodylians that includes alligators and caimans.- True alligators :Alligators proper occur in the fluvial deposits of the age of the Upper Chalk in Europe, where they did not die out until the Pliocene age. The true alligators are now restricted to two species, A...
- Genus AlligatorAlligatorAn alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. There are two extant alligator species: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator ....
- Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator)
Alligator lizards
Family AnguidaeAnguidae
The Anguidae is a large and diverse family of lizards native to the northern hemisphere. The group includes the slowworms, glass lizards, and alligator lizards, among others. Anguidae is divided into three subfamilies and contains 94 species in eight genera. Their closest living relatives are the...
(Anguid Lizards)
- Genus GerrhonotusGerrhonotusGerrhonotus is a genus of anguid lizards that are commonly referred to as alligator lizards, due to a vague resemblance to the alligator. There are five currently recognized species in the genus:*Gerrhonotus farri Bryson and Graham, 2010...
- Gerrhonotus infernalisGerrhonotus infernalisThe Texas alligator lizard is a species of alligator lizard in the subfamily Gerrhonotinae.-Geographic range:It is found in the central region of the American state of Texas, and south into Mexico.- Description :...
(Texas Alligator Lizard)
- Gerrhonotus infernalis
Anoles
Family PolychrotidaePolychrotidae
Polychrotidae is a family of lizards commonly known as anoles . NCBI places the anole in subfamily Polychrotinae of the family Iguanidae. Four genera are common: Anolis, Norops, Phenacosaurus, and Polychrus....
(Anoles)
- Genus AnolisAnolisAnolis is a genus of lizards belonging to the family Polychrotidae. With nearly 400 species, Anolis represents the world's most species rich amniote genus. Several species of Anolis are occasionally ascribed to the genus Norops, but the validity of the Norops genus is not widely accepted...
- Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole)
- Anolis sagrei (Brown Anole) (I)
Collared lizards
Family CrotaphytidaeCrotaphytidae
The family Crotaphytidae, or collared lizards, are desert-dwelling reptiles native to the southwest USA and northern Mexico. They are very fast-moving animals, with long limbs and tails, and are carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects....
(Collared and Leopard Lizards)
- Genus CrotaphytusCrotaphytusClassification of the genus Crotaphytus, a type of lizard.-Genus Crotaphytus:*Venerable Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus antiquus*Desert Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus bicinctores*Common Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris...
(Collared Lizards)- Crotaphytus collaris (Eastern Collared Lizard)
- Crotaphytus reticulatusCrotaphytus reticulatusThe Reticulate Collared Lizard is a moderately sized lizard native to semi-arid, rocky regions of the Tamaulipan mezquital. Its range includes the American state of Texas and the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. Of all the species in its family, Crotaphytidae species, C...
(Reticulate Collared Lizard) (T)
- Genus GambeliaGambeliaGambelia is the genus name for the Leopard Lizards in the family Crotaphytidae. One difference between the genera Gambelia and Crotaphytus is that the former has fracture planes in their tails, allowing the tails to break off when grasped by predators.-Genus Gambelia:*Cope's Leopard Lizard,...
(Leopard Lizards)- Gambelia wislizenii (Longnose Leopard Lizard)
Geckos
Family Gekkonidae (Geckos)- Genus ColeonyxColeonyxColeonyx is a genus of terrestrial geckos commonly referred to as banded geckos. They are found throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico and south into Central America. They are relatively small lizards, measuring about inches in length...
- Coleonyx brevisColeonyx brevisColeonyx brevis, commonly known as the Texas Banded Gecko, is a species of small gecko native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.- Description :Texas Banded Geckos are small, terrestrial lizards, rarely exceeding in length...
(Texas Banded Gecko) - Coleonyx reticulatusColeonyx reticulatusColeonyx reticulatus is a species of small gecko native to the United States and Mexico . It is sometimes referred to as the Reticulated Gecko or Reticulate Banded Gecko.- Description :...
(Reticulated Gecko) (T)
- Coleonyx brevis
- Genus CyrtodactylusCyrtodactylusCyrtodactylus is a diverse genus of Asian geckos, commonly known as bent-toed geckos or bow-fingered geckos. It has at least 135 described species at present, which makes it the largest of all gecko genera. Instead of possessing dilated digits like other geckos, members of Cyrtodactylus have...
- Cyrtopodion scabrumCyrtopodion scabrumRough-tailed Gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum is a species of gecko.-Distribution:Turkey, Egypt [Siwa Oasis: HR 31: 254], Sinai/Tor, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman,...
(Rough-tailed Gecko)
- Cyrtopodion scabrum
- Genus HemidactylusHemidactylusHemidactylus is a genus of the family of typical geckos, Gekkonidae. It is the second-most speciose genus in the family, with about 90 described species, newfound ones being described every few years. These geckos are found in all the tropical regions of the world, extending into the subtropical...
- Hemidactylus turcicusHemidactylus turcicusMediterranean House Gecko, or more commonly Turkish Gecko as it is represented in its Latin name Hemidactylus turcicus is a species of gecko. They are nocturnal and insectivorous, rarely exceeding in length, have large, lidless eyes with elliptical pupils, and yellow- or tan-colored skin with...
(Mediterranean Gecko) (I)
- Hemidactylus turcicus
Iguanas
Family IguanidaeIguanidae
Iguanidae is a family of lizards, composed of iguanas and related species.-Classification of Iguanidae:Two different classification schemes have been used to define the structure of this family. These are the "traditional" classification and the classification presented by Frost et al. .Frost et...
(Iguanas)
- Genus IguanaIguanaIguana is a herbivorous genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central America and the Caribbean. The genus was first described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena...
- Iguana iguana (Green Iguana) (I)
- Genus CtenosauraCtenosauraCtenosaura is a genus of lizard commonly known as spinytail iguanas. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. The species range in size from about 5 inches to well over one meter. The distinctive feature of this genus is presence of the...
- Ctenosaura pectinataCtenosaura pectinataThe Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguana is a moderate sized lizard native to western Mexico from mid-Sinaloa to south Oaxaca, but it has been introduced to the United States in the very southern tip of the state of Texas and in the state of Florida.-Taxonomy:The Mexican Spinytail Iguana was first...
(Mexican Spinytail Iguana) (I)
- Ctenosaura pectinata
Legless lizards
- Genus Ophisaurus
- Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus (Western Slender Glass Lizard)
Spiny & Horned lizards
Family PhrynosomatidaePhrynosomatidae
Phrynosomatidae is a diverse family of lizards, found from Panama to the extreme south of Canada. Many members of the group are adapted to life in hot, sandy deserts, although the spiny lizards prefer rocky deserts or even relatively moist forest edges, and the short-horned lizard lives in prairie...
(Sand, Horned, and Spiny Lizards)
- Genus Cophosaurus
- Cophosaurus texanus (Greater Earless Lizard)
- Genus HolbrookiaHolbrookiaHolbrookia is a genus of earless lizards, known commonly as the lesser earless lizards, which contains three recognized species that are found throughout the southwestern and central United States, and northern Mexico. They are characterized by having no external ear openings, presumably to prevent...
- Holbrookia lacerata lacerataHolbrookia lacerataThe spot-tailed earless lizard is a species of Phrynosomid lizard.-Geographic range:It is endemic to Mexico, in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, and to the United States, in south-central Texas.-Taxonomy:...
(Spot-tailed Earless Lizard) - Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalisHolbrookia lacerata subcaudalisThe southern spot-tailed earless lizard is a subspecies of the spot-tailed earless lizard...
(Southern Earless Lizard) - Holbrookia maculata approximansHolbrookia maculata approximansThe speckled earless lizard is a subspecies of the lesser earless lizard , which is found in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico...
(Speckled Earless Lizard) - Holbrookia maculata maculataHolbrookia maculataThe lesser earless lizard is a species of phrynosomid lizard endemic to the southwestern and central United States and northern Mexico.-Geographic range:...
(Eastern Earless Lizard) - Holbrookia maculata perspicuaHolbrookia maculata perspicuaThe prairie earless lizard or eastern earless lizard is a subspecies of the lesser earless lizard, .-Geographic range:...
(Prairie Earless Lizard) - Holbrookia propinquaHolbrookia propinquaThe keeled earless lizard is a species of phrynosomatid lizard.-Geographic range:It is found primarily in Mexico, in the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz, but it also ranges to the United States, in southern Texas....
(Keeled Earless Lizard)
- Holbrookia lacerata lacerata
- Genus Phrynosoma (Horned Lizards)
- Phrynosoma cornutum (Texas Horned Lizard) (T)
- Phrynosoma douglassii (Short-horned Lizard) (T)
- Phrynosoma modestum (Roundtail Horned Lizard)
- Genus Sceloporus
- Sceloporus graciosus (Sagebrush Lizard)
- Sceloporus grammicusSceloporus grammicusThe mesquite lizard is a species of lizard. It is sometimes referred to as the graphic spiny lizard.-Geographic range:...
(Mesquite Lizard) - Sceloporus magisterSceloporus magisterSceloporus magister, also known as the desert spiny lizard, is a reptile of the family Phrynosomatidae, which is native to the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sonoran Desert.-Geographic range:...
(Twin-spotted Spiny Lizard) - Sceloporus merriami annulatusSceloporus merriami annulatusThe Big Bend Canyon Lizard is a subspecies of the Canyon Lizard native to a fairly narrow range from the Big Bend region of the US state of Texas, to eastern Coahuila in Mexico. The epithet annulatus comes from the Latin noun annulus and refers to the banded subcaudal surface...
(Big Bend Canyon Lizard) - Sceloporus merriami longipunctatusSceloporus merriami longipunctatusThe Presidio Canyon Lizard is a subspecies of the Canyon Lizard native to a narrow range in the Big Bend region of the US state of Texas and into adjacent states northern Mexico...
(Presidio Canyon Lizard) - Sceloporus merriami merriamiSceloporus merriamiThe canyon lizard is a species of phrynosomatid lizard native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico...
(Canyon Lizard) - Sceloporus olivaceus (Texas Spiny Lizard)
- Sceloporus poinsettiiSceloporus poinsettiiThe crevice spiny lizard is a species of small, phrynosomatid lizard. The epithet, poinsettii, is in honor of American physician, botanist, and statesman, Joel Roberts Poinsett.-Geographic range:...
(Crevice Spiny Lizard) - Sceloporus serriferSceloporus serriferThe blue spiny lizard is a species of phrynosomatid lizard.-Geographic range:It ranges from the United States in southern Texas, through the eastern states of Mexico, to Central America in Guatemala and Belize....
(Blue Spiny Lizard) - Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus (Southern Prairie Lizard)
- Sceloporus undulatus garmani (Northern Prairie Lizard)
- Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus (Northern Fence Lizard)
- Sceloporus variabilisSceloporus variabilisThe rosebelly lizard is a species of lizard which ranges from the United States in southern Texas, through eastern Mexico and into Central America as far south as Costa Rica.- Subspecies :...
(Rosebelly Lizard)
- Genus UrosaurusUrosaurusThe North American genus Urosaurus belongs to the New World Iguanian family Phrynosomatidae. They can be distinguished from members of the genus Sceloporus by the presence of a gular fold and granular lateral scales...
- Urosaurus ornatus ornatusUrosaurus ornatusThe Tree lizard or Ornate Tree Lizard is a species of lizard that is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species has been used to research the physiological changes in the body during the fight-or-flight response as related to stress and aggressive competition...
(Texas Tree Lizard) - Urosaurus ornatus schmidti (Big Bend Tree Lizard)
- Urosaurus ornatus ornatus
- Genus Uta
- Uta stansburiana (Desert Side-blotched Lizard)
Skinks
Family Scincidae (Skinks)- Genus PlestiodonPlestiodonPlestiodon is the name for a genus of lizards formerly referred to as Eumeces, except those now placed in Mesoscincus.The genus Plestiodon are skinks...
- Plestiodon anthracinus pluvialis (Southern Coal Skink)
- Plestiodon fasciatus (Five-lined Skink)
- Plestiodon laticeps (Broadhead Skink)
- Plestiodon multivirgatus epipleurotus (Variable Skink)
- Plestiodon obsoletus (Great Plains Skink)
- Plestiodon septentrionalis obtusirostris (Southern Prairie Skink)
- Plestiodon tetragrammus brevilineatus (Short-lined Skink)
- Plestiodon tetragrammus tetragrammus (Four-Lined Skink)
- Genus ScincellaScincellaScincella is a genus of lizards in the skink family, Scincidae, commonly referred to as ground skinks. The exact number of species in the genus is unclear, as taxonomic reclassification is ongoing, and sources vary widely...
- Scincella lateralisScincella lateralisThe Little Brown Skink , also known as the Ground Skink , is a small species of skink found throughout much of the eastern half of the United States, and into northern Mexico.- Description :This is one of the smallest reptiles in North America, with a length of 3 - 5.5 inches...
(Ground Skink)
- Scincella lateralis
Whiptails
Family TeiidaeTeiidae
Teiidae is a family of lizards native to the Americas, generally known as whiptails. The group includes the parthenogenic genera Cnemidophorus and Aspidoscelis, and the non-parthenogenic Tupinambis. It has over 230 member species in ten genera...
(Whiptails)
- Genus CnemidophorusCnemidophorusCnemidophorus is a genus of lizards which belong to the family of Teiidae, which are commonly referred to as whiptail lizards or racerunners. Note that the nomenclature for this genus has recently been re-examined by T. W. Reeder et al. in 2002...
- Cnemidophorus dixoniCnemidophorus dixoniThe Gray Checkered Whiptail is a species of lizard native to the United States in southern New Mexico and western Texas, and northern Mexico. It was once considered a subspecies of the Common Checkered Whiptail, Cnemidophorus tesselatus, but was later granted full species status. It is one of many...
(Gray Checkered Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus exsanguisCnemidophorus exsanguisThe Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail is a species of lizard native to the United States in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and southwestern Texas, and northern Mexico in northern Chihuahua and northern Sonora...
(Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus gularisCnemidophorus gularisThe Texas spotted whiptail is a species of long-tailed lizard native to the southern United States, in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, and northern Mexico in Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and Veracruz.- Description :Texas spotted whiptails grow inches in length...
(Texas Spotted Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus inornatus heptagrammusCnemidophorus inornatus heptagrammusThe Trans-Pecos Striped Whiptail is a subspecies of the Little Striped Whiptail lizard. It is found in the semi-arid, sandy habitats of the Chihuahuan Desert, in the United States from western Texas across southern New Mexico to Arizona, as well as northern Mexico...
(Trans-Pecos Striped Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus laredoensisCnemidophorus laredoensisThe Laredo Striped Whiptail is a species of lizard found in the southern United States, in Texas, and northern Mexico in Coahuila and Tamaulipas. Some sources believe it to be the result of extensive hybridization between the Eastern Spotted Whiptail, Cnemidophorus gularis and the Six-lined...
(Laredo Striped Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus marmoratusCnemidophorus marmoratusThe Marbled Whiptail is a species of lizard found in the United States, in southern New Mexico and Texas, and in northern Mexico, in Coahuila, Chihuahua and Durango.- Description :...
(Marbled Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus neomexicanusCnemidophorus neomexicanusThe New Mexico whiptail is a species of lizard found in the southern United States in New Mexico and Arizona, and in northern Mexico in Chihuahua. It is the official state reptile of New Mexico...
(New Mexico Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus septemvittatusCnemidophorus septemvittatusThe Plateau spotted whiptail is a species of lizard found in the southern United States in Texas, and in northern Mexico in Chihuahua and Coahuila...
(Plateau Spotted Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus (Eastern Six-lined Racerunner)
- Cnemidophorus sexlineatus viridisCnemidophorus sexlineatus viridisThe Prairie Racerunner is a subspecies of the Six-lined Racerunner lizard,...
(Prairie Racerunner) - Cnemidophorus tesselatusCnemidophorus tesselatusThe Checkered Whiptail is a species of lizard found in the southwestern United States in Colorado, Texas and New Mexico, and in northern Mexico in Chihuahua and Coahuila...
(Checkered Whiptail) - Cnemidophorus uniparens (Desert Grassland Whiptail)
- Cnemidophorus dixoni
Blind Snakes
Family LeptotyphlopidaeLeptotyphlopidae
The Leptotyphlopidae are a family of snakes found in North and South America, Africa, and Asia. All are fossorial and adapted to burrowing, feeding on ants and termites...
(Blind Snakes)
- Genus LeptotyphlopsLeptotyphlopsLeptotyphlops is a genus of nonvenomous blind snakes found throughout North and South America, Africa and southwestern Asia. Currently, 86 species are recognized.-Description:...
(Blind Snakes)- Leptotyphlops dulcis dissectusLeptotyphlops dulcis dissectusLeptotyphlops dulcis dissectus is a harmless blind snake subspecies found in the Southwest and southern United States and northern Mexico.-Geographic range:...
(New Mexico Blind Snake) - Leptotyphlops dulcis dulcis (Plains Blind Snake)
- Leptotyphlops humilis segregus (Trans-Pecos Blind Snake)
- Leptotyphlops dulcis dissectus
Colubrids
Family Colubridae- Genus Arizona (Glossy Snakes)
- Arizona elegans arenicolaArizona elegans arenicolaThe Texas glossy snake is a subspecies of glossy snake, a nonvenomous colubrid snake.-Geographic range:It is found in the Chihuahuan Desert region of the southern United States and northern Mexico. Its range overlaps that of other glossy snake subspecies, and interbreeding is likely...
(Texas Glossy Snake) - Arizona elegans elegans (Kansas Glossy Snake)
- Arizona elegans philipiArizona elegans philipiThe Painted Desert glossy snake is a subspecies of glossy snake, a nonvenomous colubrid. The epithet philipi is in honor of Philip Monroe Klauber, son of herpetologist Laurence M...
(Painted Desert Glossy Snake)
- Arizona elegans arenicola
- Genus BogertophisBogertophisBogertophis is a genus of New World rat snakes found in the southwestern United States and into northern Mexico. There are two accepted species...
- Bogertophis subocularisBogertophis subocularisThe Trans-Pecos rat snake is a medium to large , nonvenomous rat snake native to the Chihuahuan Desert, that extends northward into Texas. It has a row of small scales between the lower border of the eye and the upper labials. This is a beautiful snake, yellow to tan dorsally with a series of...
(Trans-Pecos Rat Snake)
- Bogertophis subocularis
- Genus CarphophisCarphophisCarphophis is a genus of small colubrid snakes. The genus consists of two species.- Physical description :...
(Worm Snakes)- Carphophis vermisCarphophis vermisCarphophis vermis is a small, nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the United States.- Physical description :Western worm snakes have a dark, black or purplish dorsal coloration, with a pink or reddish underside...
(Western Worm Snake)
- Carphophis vermis
- Genus CemophoraCemophoraCemophora coccinea is a nonvenomous species of colubrid snake commonly known as the scarlet snake. It is the only member of its genus. They are native to the southeastern United States. There are three subspecies of C. coccinea.- Description :...
(Scarlet Snakes)- Cemophora coccinea copeiCemophora coccinea copeiThe Northern scarlet snake is a subspecies of harmless colubrid snake that is found in the southern and eastern United States. The epithet copei is in honor of renown taxonomist Edward Drinker Cope.- Description :...
(Northern Scarlet Snake) - Cemophora coccinea lineriCemophora coccinea lineriThe Texas scarlet snake is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the United States. The epithet lineri is in honor of American zoologist Ernest A. Liner, who collected the first specimen in 1963....
(Texas Scarlet Snake) (T)
- Cemophora coccinea copei
- Genus ColuberColuberColuber is a genus of thin bodied, fast moving, colubrid snakes commonly known as racers. They are widespread around the world and vary greatly in habitat and behaviour. In the past, Coluber was a catch-all genus which included almost all snake species known at the time...
(Racers)- Coluber constrictor anthicusColuber constrictor anthicusThe Buttermilk Racer is a subspecies of racer, a nonvenomous, colubrid snake.- Description :The Buttermilk Racer is a thin bodied snake, capable of attaining lengths of 60 inches. Its color is a unique pattern of black, greens, yellows, greys, and even sometimes blues, flecked with white or...
(Buttermilk Racer) - Coluber constrictor etheridgeiColuber constrictor etheridgeiThe Tan Racer is a non-venomous colubrid snake, a subspecies of the Eastern Racer, . It is found in the southern United States, in Louisiana and Texas...
(Tan Racer) - Coluber constrictor flaviventrisColuber constrictor flaviventrisThe eastern yellowbelly racer is a subspecies of racer, a nonvenomous, colubrid snake.- Description :...
(Eastern Yellowbelly Racer) - Coluber constrictor oaxacaColuber constrictor oaxacaThe Mexican Racer is a nonvenomous colubrid snake, a subspecies of the Eastern Racer . It is found primarily in Mexico, from Tamaulipas to Vera Cruz, with isolated records of it occurring in Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango, Colima, Oaxaca, and Chiapas...
(Mexican Racer) - Coluber constrictor priapusColuber constrictor priapusThe Southern Black Racer is one of the more common subspecies of nonvenomous snakes in the Southeastern United States. The name priapus refers to the proximal spines of the hemipenes being much enlarged into basal hooks, which is characteristic of this subspecies. These snakes are quite active...
(Southern Black Racer)
- Coluber constrictor anthicus
- Genus ConiophanesConiophanesConiophanes is a large genus of colubrid snakes, typically referred to as black-striped snakes, but they also have many other common names...
- Coniophanes imperialis (Black-striped Snake) (T)
- Genus Diadophis (Ringneck Snakes)
- Diadophis punctatus arnyiDiadophis punctatus arnyiDiadophis punctactus arnyi, also known as the prairie ringneck snake, is a small, thin member of the Colubrid Family. The subspecific name is in honor of Samuel Arny, who collected the type specimen.-Geographic range:...
(Prairie Ringneck Snake) - Diadophis punctatus regalisDiadophis punctatus regalisThe regal ringneck snake is a subspecies of ringneck snake found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.- Description :...
(Regal Ringsnake Snake) - Diadophis punctatus stictogenys (Mississippi Ringneck Snake)
- Diadophis punctatus arnyi
- Genus DrymarchonDrymarchonIndigo snakes are a genus of large non-venomous colubrid snakes found in Southeastern United States, Central America, and South America. Three to four species are currently recognized.-Description:...
(Indigo Snakes)- Drymarchon corais erebennusDrymarchon corais erebennusThe Texas Indigo Snake is a large, nonvenomous, colubrid snake found from southern Texas south into Mexico as far as Veracruz.- Description :...
(Texas Indigo Snake) (T)
- Drymarchon corais erebennus
- Genus DrymobiusDrymobiusDrymobius is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as neotropical racers. There are four species recognized in the genus.-Geographic range:...
- Drymobius margaritiferusDrymobius margaritiferusDrymobius margaritiferus, commonly known as the Speckled Racer, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the Americas. The specific name, margariiferus, means "pearl-bearing" in Latin, referring to the pearl-like spots on the dorsal scales.-Geographic range:It is found from the Lower...
(Speckled Racer) (T)
- Drymobius margaritiferus
- Genus ElapheElapheElaphe is one of the main genera of the rat snakes, which are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere. Elaphe are medium to large constrictors by nature....
(Rat SnakeRat snakeRat snakes are medium to large constrictors that can be found through a great portion of the northern hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents and birds and, with some species exceeding 3 m , they can occupy top levels of some food chains. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one,...
s)- Elaphe bairdi (Baird's Rat Snake)
- Elaphe guttata emoryi (Great Plains Rat Snake)
- Elaphe guttata guttata (Corn Snake)
- Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake)
- Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Black Rat Snake)
- Elaphe slowinskii (Slowinski's Corn Snake)
- Genus FaranciaFaranciaFarancia is a genus of colubrid snakes. It consists of two species, one commonly referred to as the rainbow snake and the other commonly referred to as the mud snake. They are native to the eastern half of the United States.- Description :...
(Mud Snakes)- Farancia abacuraFarancia abacuraThe mud snake is a species of nonvenomous, semiaquatic, colubrid snake that is found in the southeastern United States.- Description :...
(Mud Snake)
- Farancia abacura
- Genus FicimiaFicimiaFicimia is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly known as hooknose snakes or hook-nosed snakes. There are seven species within the genus.-Geographic range:...
- Ficimia streckeriFicimia streckeriFicimia streckeri, commonly known as the Mexican hooknose snake or Tamaulipan hooknose snake, is a small species of colubrid snake...
(Mexican Hooknose Snake)
- Ficimia streckeri
- Genus GyalopionGyalopionGyalopion is a genus of small nonvenomous colubrid snakes which are commonly referred to as hooknose snakes that are native to the southwest United States and Mexico.- Taxonomy :*Western Hooknose Snake, Gyalopion canum Cope, 1860...
- Gyalopion canumGyalopion canumThe Western hooknose snake is a species of small colubrid snake native to the United States, from western Texas to southeastern Arizona, and into northern and central Mexico. It was once classified in the genus Ficimia, but was reclassified due to distinct morphological characteristics...
(Western Hooknose Snake)
- Gyalopion canum
- Genus HeterodonHeterodonHeterodon is a genus of harmless colubrids found in North America. They are stout with upturned snouts and are perhaps best known for their characteristic threat displays. Three species are currently recognized.-Description:...
(HognoseHognoseThe hognose snake is a type of colubrid snake characterized by an upturned snout. They are notorious for playing dead when threatened. The hognose snakes consist of three distantly related genera that are artificially grouped together by the "hognose" common name: Heterodon which are predominantly...
Snakes)- Heterodon kennerlyi (Mexican Hognose Snake)
- Heterodon nasicus gloydi (Dusty Hognose Snake)
- Heterodon nasicus nasicus (Western Hognose Snake)
- Heterodon platirhinos (Eastern Hognose Snake)
- Genus HypsiglenaHypsiglenaHypsiglena is a genus of small, rear-fanged, colubrid snakes commonly referred to as night snakes. The genus consists of two distinct species, many subspecies may be considered synonymous depending on the source.- Species :...
(Night Snakes)- Hypsiglena torquata janiHypsiglena torquata janiThe Texas night snake is a species of small colubrid snake native to the southern United States and Mexico. The epithet jani is in honor of Italian taxonomist Giorgio Jan.- Description :...
(Texas Night Snake)
- Hypsiglena torquata jani
- Genus Lampropeltis (KingsnakeKingsnakeKingsnakes are a type of colubrid snake that are members of the Lampropeltis genus, which also includes the milk snake along with another four species and 45 sub-species....
s and Milk SnakeMilk SnakeThe milk snake or milksnake is a species of king snake. There are 25 subspecies among the milk snakes, including the commonly named scarlet kingsnake...
s)- Lampropeltis alterna (Grey-Banded Kingsnake)
- Lampropeltis calligasterLampropeltis calligasterLampropeltis calligaster is a species of kingsnake known commonly as the prairie kingsnake.-Geographic range:It is found throughout the midwestern and southeastern United States, from Nebraska to Virginia, Florida to Texas.- Description :...
(Prairie Kingsnake) - Lampropeltis getula holbrookiLampropeltis getula holbrookiLampropeltis getula holbrooki is a nonvenomous subspecies of kingsnake.-Geographic range:It is found in the central to southern United States from southern Iowa to the Gulf of Mexico...
(Speckled Kingsnake) - Lampropeltis getula splendida (Desert Kingsnake)
- Lampropeltis triangulum amaura (Louisiana Milk Snake)
- Lampropeltis triangulum annulataLampropeltis triangulum annulataThe Mexican Milk Snake is a species of milk snake native primarily to northeastern Mexico in Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León, but it can be found as far north as the United States, in southwestern Texas....
(Mexican Milk Snake) - Lampropeltis triangulum celaenops (New Mexico Milk Snake)
- Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis (Central Plains Milk Snake)
- Genus LeptodeiraLeptodeiraLeptodeira is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as cat-eyed snakes. The genus consists of 10 species that are native to primarily Mexico and Central America, but range as far north as the southern tip of Texas in United States and as far south as Argentina in South America.- Species...
(Cat-eyed Snakes)- Leptodeira septentrionalis (Northern Cat-eyed Snake) (T)
- Genus MasticophisMasticophisMasticophis is a genus of colubrid snakes that are commonly referred to as whip snakes or coachwhips. They are characterized by having a long, thin body and are not dangerous.- Species :...
(Coachwhip Snakes and Whipsnakes)- Masticophis flagellum flagellum (Eastern Coachwhip)
- Masticophis flagellum testaceus (Western Coachwhip)
- Masticophis schotti schotti (Schott's Whipsnake)
- Masticophis schotti ruthveni (Ruthven's Whipsnake)
- Masticophis taeniatus girardi (Central Texas Whipsnake)
- Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus (Desert Striped Whipsnake)
- Genus NerodiaNerodiaNerodia is a genus of nonvenomous colubrid snakes commonly referred to as water snakes.- Description :Nerodia species vary greatly, but all are relatively heavy-bodied snakes, sometimes growing to 1.2 m or larger. They have flattened heads, with small eyes that have round pupils, and keeled...
(Water Snakes)- Nerodia clarkiiNerodia clarkiiThe Salt Marsh Snake is a species of semiaquatic, nonvenomous, colubrid snake found in the southeastern United States, in the brackish salt marshes along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas, with a population in northern Cuba....
(Gulf Salt Marsh Snake) - Nerodia cyclopion (Mississippi Green Water Snake)
- Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster (Red-bellied Water Snake)
- Nerodia erythrogaster transversa (Blotched Water Snake)
- Nerodia fasciata confluens (Broad-banded Water Snake)
- Nerodia fasciata pictiventrisNerodia fasciata pictiventrisThe Florida banded water snake , a subspecies of the Southern water snake , is a nonvenomous natricine colubrid.-Geographic range:...
(Florida Water Snake) - Nerodia harteriNerodia harteriThe Brazos water snake or Harter's water snake is a species of mostly aquatic, nonvenomous, colubrid snake native to the United States. It is found only in north-central Texas along the Brazos River system. Due to its limited range, it is considered to be a threatened species in the State of Texas...
(Brazos Water Snake) (T) - Nerodia paucimaculataNerodia paucimaculataThe Concho water snake, Nerodia paucimaculata, is a species of mostly aquatic, nonvenomous colubrid snake native to Texas in the United States.-Geographic range:...
(Concho Water Snake) (T) - Nerodia rhombiferNerodia rhombiferNerodia rhombifer, commonly known as the diamondback water snake, is a species of water snake found throughout much of the central United States and northern Mexico. It is nonvenomous and a member of the colubrid family. There are three recognized subspecies of N. rhombifer...
(Diamondback Water Snake)
- Nerodia clarkii
- Genus OpheodrysOpheodrysOpheodrys is a genus of small to medium-sized colubrid snakes commonly referred to as green snakes. In North America the genus consists of two distinct species with five recognized subspecies...
(Green Snakes)- Opheodrys aestivusOpheodrys aestivusThe rough green snake is a nonvenomous North American colubrid. It is sometimes called grass snake or green grass snake, but these names are more commonly applied to the smooth green snake . The European colubrid called grass snake is unrelated...
(Rough Green Snake) - Opheodrys vernalis (Smooth Green Snake) (T)
- Opheodrys aestivus
- Genus PituophisPituophisPituophis is a genus of nonvenomous colubrid snakes commonly referred to as gopher snakes, pine snakes, and bull snakes. Species within the genus are found throughout the United States and Mexico.- Species :...
(Gopher Snakes)- Pituophis catenifer affinisPituophis catenifer affinisThe Sonoran Gopher Snake is a subspecies of the nonvenomous Gopher Snake, a colubrid found throughout the southwestern United States.-Geographic range:...
(Sonoran Gopher Snake) - Pituophis catenifer sayi (Bull Snake)
- Pituophis ruthveni (Louisiana Pine Snake) (T)
- Pituophis catenifer affinis
- Genus ReginaRegina (genus)Regina is a genus of colubrid snakes known as crayfish snakes, named after their primary choice of diet. The genus consists of four species which are found predominantly in the southern and eastern United States.-Species:...
(Crayfish Snakes)- Regina grahamiiRegina grahamiiGraham's crayfish snake is a medium-sized nonvenomous North American snake measuring an average of 18 to 32 inches in length, but can grow up to 4 feet long in some cases. It is usually a brown or gray color with an occasional faint mid-dorsal stripe...
(Graham's Crayfish Snake) - Regina rigidaRegina rigidaRegina rigida is a species of snake endemic to the southeastern United States. The species contains three subspecies:* Regina rigida deltae * Regina rigida rigida...
(Gulf Crayfish Snake)
- Regina grahamii
- Genus Rhinocheilus (Longnose Snakes)
- Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatusRhinocheilus lecontei tessellatusRhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake.-Geographic range:It is found in the United States, primarily in Texas, but also in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas, as well as northern Mexico.- Description :...
(Texas Longnose Snake)
- Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus
- Genus SalvadoraPatchnose snakeSalvadora is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly called patchnose snakes or patch-nosed snakes. They are characterized by having a distinctive scale on the tip of their snout.-Species:*Baird's Patchnose Snake, Salvadora bairdi Jan, 1860...
(Patchnose Snakes)- Salvadora deserticola (Big Bend Patchnose Snake)
- Salvadora grahamiae grahamiae (Mountain Patchnose Snake)
- Salvadora grahamiae lineata (Texas Patchnose Snake)
- Genus SonoraSonora (genus)Sonora is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as ground snakes. They range through central and northern Mexico, and the southwestern United States.- Species :*filetail ground snake, Sonora aemula...
(Ground Snakes)- Sonora semiannulataSonora semiannulataThe common ground snake is a species of small, harmless colubrid snake. It is sometimes referred to as the Western ground snake or variable ground snake as its patterning and coloration can vary widely, even within the same geographic region.-Geographic range:It is native to the southwestern...
(Ground Snake)
- Sonora semiannulata
- Genus StoreriaStoreriaStoreria is a genus of colubrid snakes. The genus consists of four species, three of which are known as brown snakes, and the other is known as the redbelly snake. They are found primarily in the United States and Mexico but range as far north as southern Canada, and as far south as Central America...
- Storeria dekayi limnetes (Marsh Brown Snake)
- Storeria dekayi texana (Texas Brown Snake)
- Storeria occipitomaculataStoreria occipitomaculataThe redbelly snake is a species of snake found in North America. The following subspecies are known:*Florida redbelly snake - Storeria occipitomaculata obscura Trapido, 1944...
(Redbelly Snake)
- Genus TantillaTantillaTantilla is a large genus of harmless colubrid snakes which includes 64 species commonly known as centipede snakes, blackhead snakes, and flathead snakes.- Description :...
- Tantilla atriceps (Mexican Blackhead Snake)
- Tantilla cucullata (Big Bend Blackhead Snake) (T)
- Tantilla gracilis (Flathead Snake)
- Tantilla hobartsmithiTantilla hobartsmithiThe Southwestern Blackhead Snake is a small species of colubrid snake native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The epithet hobartsmithi is in honor of American zoologist Hobart M. Smith, which sometimes leads it to be referred to as Smith's Blackhead Snake...
(Southwestern Blackhead Snake) - Tantilla nigriceps (Plains Blackhead Snake)
- Genus Thamnophis (Garter and Ribbon Snakes)
- Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyrtopsis (Blackneck Garter Snake)
- Thamnophis marcianusThamnophis marcianusThe Checkered Garter Snake is a species of garter snake native to the southern United States. The epithet marcianus is in honor of American Brigadier General Randolph B. Marcy, who led surveying expeditions to the frontier areas in the mid 19th century...
(Checkered Garter Snake) - Thamnophis proximus diabolicus (Arid Land Ribbon Snake)
- Thamnophis proximus orarius (Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake)
- Thamnophis proximus proximus (Western Ribbon Snake)
- Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatusThamnophis proximus rubrilineatusThe Redstripe Ribbon Snake is a subspecies of garter snake found in the southern United States. It is semi-aquatic, spending most of its time on the edge of permanent bodies of water: Swamps, ponds, lakes, or slow moving streams...
(Redstripe Ribbon Snake) - Thamnophis radix (Plains Garter Snake)
- Thamnophis sirtalis annectens (Texas Garter Snake)
- Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis (New Mexico Garter Snake)
- Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Common Garter Snake)
- Genus TrimorphodonTrimorphodonTrimorphodon is a genus of mildly venomous, rear-fanged, colubrid snakes. They are commonly known as lyre snakes, named after the distinctive V shaped pattern on their head that is said to resemble the shape of a lyre...
(Lyre Snakes)- Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsoniiTrimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsoniiThe Texas lyre snake is a subspecies of mildly venomous rear-fanged colubrid. The epithet vilkinsonii is in honor of amateur American naturalist Edward Wilkinson, who collected the first specimen near the city of Chihuahua...
(Texas Lyre Snake) (T)
- Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii
- Genus TropidoclonionTropidoclonionTropidoclonion is a genus of small colubrid snakes known as lined snakes. There is a single species Tropidoclonion lineatum in the genus, with four subspecies.- Subspecies :...
- Tropidoclonion lineatum texanumTropidoclonion lineatum texanumThe Texas lined snake is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake found in the southcentral United States, primarily in the state of Texas. It is a relatively common, fossorial subspecies, spending most of its time buried in leaf litter, and eating earthworms...
(Texas Lined Snake)
- Tropidoclonion lineatum texanum
- Genus VirginiaVirginia (genus)Virginia is a genus of small, terrestrial, colubrid snakes, native to the United States. They are commonly referred to as earth snakes.-Species:*mountain earth snake, Virginia pulchra...
(Earth Snakes)- Virginia striatulaVirginia striatulaThe rough earth snake is a species of nonvenomous natricine colubrid snake native to the southeastern United States. It was first described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1766, as Coluber striatulus.-Geographic range:...
(Rough Earth Snake) - Virginia valeriaeVirginia valeriaeThe smooth earth snake is a species of nonvenomous natricine colubrid snake native to the eastern half of the United States...
(Western Earth Snake)
- Virginia striatula
Elapids
Family ElapidaeElapidae
Elapidae is a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America and aquatically in the Pacific and Indian Oceans...
- Genus Micrurus (Coral Snakes)
- Micrurus tenerMicrurus tenerMicrurus tener, commonly known as the Texas coral snake, is a species of venomous elapid snake.-Geographic range:It ranges from the southern United States south to northeastern and central Mexico...
(Texas Coral Snake)
- Micrurus tener
Viperids
Family ViperidaeViperidae
The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world, except in Antarctica, Australia, Ireland, Madagascar, Hawaii, various other isolated islands, and above the Arctic Circle. All have relatively long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. Four...
(Vipers)
- Genus AgkistrodonAgkistrodonAgkistrodon is a genus of venomous pit vipers found in North America from the United States south to northern Costa Rica. The name is derived from the Greek words ἄγκιστρον 'fishhook' and ὁδοὐς 'tooth', and is likely a reference to the fangs...
- Agkistrodon contortrix contortrixAgkistrodon contortrixAgkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake found in North America, a member of the Crotalinae subfamily. The more common name for the species is "copperhead". The behavior of Agkistrodon contortrix may lead to accidental encounters with humans...
(Southern Copperhead) - Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctusAgkistrodon contortrix laticinctusAgkistrodon contortrix laticinctus is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the southern United States, from Kansas, through Oklahoma and throughout central Texas.-Description:...
(Broad-banded Copperhead) - Agkistrodon contortrix pictigasterAgkistrodon contortrix pictigasterAgkistrodon contortrix pictigaster is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the Trans-Pecos region of the United States, in western Texas, and northeastern Mexico.-Description:...
(Trans-Pecos Copperhead) - Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostomaAgkistrodon piscivorus leucostomaAgkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the south central United States. It is the smallest of the three subspecies and tends to be darker in color.-Description:...
(Western Cottonmouth)
- Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix
- Genus CrotalusCrotalusCrotalus is a genus of venomous pit vipers found only in the Americas from southern Canada to northern Argentina. The name is derived from the Greek word krotalon, which means "rattle" or "castanet", and refers to the rattle on the end of the tail which makes this group so distinctive...
- Crotalus atroxCrotalus atroxCrotalus atrox, the "western diamondback rattlesnake", is a venomous rattlesnake species found in the United States and Mexico. It is likely responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in northern Mexico and the second greatest number in the USA after C. adamanteus. No subspecies are...
(Western Diamondback Rattlesnake) - Crotalus horridusCrotalus horridusCrotalus horridus, the timber rattlesnake, is a species of venomous pitviper found in the eastern United States. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous northeastern United States. No subspecies are currently recognized....
(Timber Rattlesnake) (T) - Crotalus lepidus klauberiCrotalus lepidus klauberiCrotalus lepidus klauberi is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the southern United States, in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and northern Mexico, including the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Durango, Zacatecas, San luis Potosi and Jalisco...
(Banded Rock Rattlesnake) - Crotalus lepidus lepidus (Mottled Rock Rattlesnake)
- Crotalus molossus molossusCrotalus molossusCrotalus molossus is a venomous pitviper species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Four subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
(Northern Blacktail Rattlesnake) - Crotalus scutulatusCrotalus scutulatusCrotalus scutulatus is a venomous pitviper species found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and central Mexico. It is perhaps best known for its potent neurotoxic venom...
(Mojave Rattlesnake) - Crotalus viridis viridisCrotalus viridisCrotalus viridis is a venomous pitviper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Currently, nine subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
(Prairie Rattlesnake)
- Crotalus atrox
- Genus SistrurusSistrurusSistrurus is a genus of venomous pit vipers found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The name is a Latinized form of the Greek word for "tail rattler" and shares its root with the ancient Egyptian musical instrument, the sistrum, a type of rattle...
- Sistrurus catenatus edwardsiiSistrurus catenatus edwardsiiSistrurus catenatus edwardsii is a venomous snake pitviper subspecies found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In places its range overlaps that of S. c. tergeminus) and intergrading of the two subspecies is not unknown....
(Desert Massasauga) - Sistrurus catenatus tergeminusSistrurus catenatus tergeminusSistrurus catenatus tergeminus is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the southwestern plains of the United States. In some areas its range overlaps that of another subspecies, S. c. edwardsii, and intergrading of the two is not unknown....
(Western Massasauga) - Sistrurus miliarius streckeriSistrurus miliarius streckeriSistrurus miliarius streckeri is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the south-central United States.-Description:Adult specimens are 40-63 cm in length. In one study, the average length of 55 males and 49 females was 52 cm....
(Western Pigmy Rattlesnake)
- Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii
Marine turtles
Family CheloniidaeCheloniidae
Cheloniidae is a family of turtles belonging to the sea turtle superfamily Chelonioidea.-Extant genera:*Genus Caretta**Loggerhead sea turtle *Genus Chelonia**Green sea turtle *Genus Eretmochelys...
(Marine Turtles)
- Genus Caretta
- Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) (T)
- Genus Chelonia
- Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle) (T)
- Genus Eretmochelys
- Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill) (E)
- Genus Lepidochelys
- Lepidochelys kempii (Atlantic Ridley) (E)
Family Dermochelidae (Leatherback Turtles)
- Genus Dermochelys
- Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback) (E)
Mud & Musk turtles
Family KinosternidaeKinosternidae
Kinosternidae is a family of mostly small turtles that includes the mud turtles and musk turtles. The family Kinosternidae contains 25 species within 4 genera, but taxonomic reclassification is an ongoing process so many sources vary on the exact numbers of species and subspecies...
(Mud and Musk Turtles)
- Genus KinosternonKinosternonKinosternon is a genus of aquatic turtles known commonly as mud turtles.-Geographic range:They are found throughout the United States, Mexico and Central America, south into South America in Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru.-Description:...
(Mud Turtles)- Kinosternon flavescens (Yellow Mud Turtle)
- Kinosternon hirtipes (Mexican Mud Turtle)
- Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis (Mississippi Mud Turtle)
- Genus SternotherusSternotherusSternotherus is a genus of aquatic turtles known commonly as musk turtles.-Description:They are very similar to the American mud turtles, but tend to have a more domed carapace, with a distinctive keel down the center of it...
(Musk Turtles)- Sternotherus carinatusSternotherus carinatusThe razor-backed musk turtle is a species of turtle native to the United States.-Geographic range:It is found in the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Louisiana.- Description :...
(Razorback Musk Turtle) - Sternotherus odoratusSternotherus odoratusSternotherus odoratus is a species of small turtle native to southeastern Canada and much of the Eastern United States. It is also known as the common musk turtle or stinkpot due to its ability to release a foul musky odor to deter predation...
(Common Musk Turtle)
- Sternotherus carinatus
Pond & Box turtles
Family EmydidaeEmydidae
Emydidae, commonly called the pond turtles or marsh turtles, is a family of turtles. Previously, several species of Asian box turtle were classified in the family. However, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. Now, Emydidae, with the exception of two species of pond turtle,...
(Water and Box Turtles)
- Genus Chrysemys (Painted Turtles)
- Chrysemys picta bellii (Western Painted Turtle)
- Chrysemys picta dorsalis (Southern Painted Turtle)
- Genus Deirochelys (Chicken Turtles)
- Deirochelys reticularia (Chicken Turtle)
- Genus GraptemysGraptemysGraptemys is a genus of turtles known commonly as map turtles or sometimes sawback turtles. They are aquatic, freshwater turtles that are found throughout the eastern half of the United States and northward into southern Canada. They superficially resemble many other species of aquatic turtle,...
(Map Turtles)- Graptemys caglei (Cagle's Map Trtle)
- Graptemys ouachitensis (Oachita Map Turtle)
- Graptemys pseudogeographica (False Map Turtle)
- Graptemys versa (Texas Map Turtle)
- Genus Malaclemys (Diamondback Terrapins)
- Malaclemys terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin)
- Genus PseudemysPseudemysPseudemys is a genus of large, herbivorous, freshwater turtles of the eastern United States. They are often referred to as cooters, which stems from kuta, the word for turtle in the Bambara and Malinké languages, brought to America by African slaves....
(River Cooters)- Pseudemys concinna gorzugi (Rio Grande River Cooter)
- Pseudemys concinna metteri (Missouri River Cooter)
- Pseudemys texanaPseudemys texanaThe Texas river cooter is a species of freshwater turtle native to creeks, rivers, and lakes of the US state of Texas. They are found in the river basins of the Colorado, Brazos, Guadalupe, and San Antonio Rivers...
(Texas River Cooter)
- Genus Terrapene (Box Turtles)
- Terrapene carolina carolinaTerrapene carolina carolinaThe eastern box turtle is a subspecies within a group of hinge-shelled turtles, normally called box turtles. T. c. carolina is native to an eastern part of the United States....
(Eastern Box Turtle) - Terrapene ornata luteolaTerrapene ornata luteolaThe Desert Box Turtle ranges from the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona in the United States, south into Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico, where it lives in arid, open prairie areas. It is an omnivore, eating native vegetation, insects, and sometimes carrion...
(Desert Box Turtle) - Terrapene ornata ornata (Ornate Box Turtle)
- Terrapene carolina carolina
- Genus TrachemysTrachemysTrachemys is a genus of turtles belonging to the family Emydidae.-Species:*Trachemys adiutrix - Maranhão slider*Trachemys callirostris - Colombian slider*Trachemys callirostris callirostris - Colombian slider...
(Sliders)- Trachemys gaigeaeTrachemys gaigeaeThe Big Bend Slider is a species of aquatic turtle native to the United States in the states of New Mexico and Texas, and northern Mexico in the state of Chihuahua. It is found primarily in the Rio Grande and Rio Conchos river systems...
(Big Bend Slider) - Trachemys scripta elegans (Red-eared Slider)
- Trachemys gaigeae
Snapping turtles
Family ChelydridaeChelydridae
Chelydridae is a family of turtles which has seven extinct and two extant genera. The extant genera are Chelydra the snapping turtles, and its larger relative Macrochelys, of which the Alligator Snapping Turtle is the only species. Both are endemic to the Western Hemisphere...
(Snapping Turtles)
- Genus Chelydra
- Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle)
- Genus Macrochelys
- Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle)
Softshell turtles
Family TrionychidaeTrionychidae
Trionychidae is a taxonomic family which comprises a number of turtle genera commonly known as softshells. They are also sometimes called pancake turtles. Softshells consist of some of the world's largest fresh water turtles, though many can adapt to living in highly brackish areas. Members of this...
(Softshell Turtles)
- Genus ApaloneApaloneApalone is a North American genus in the Trionychidae family of turtles, a family whose members are commonly referred to as softshell turtles. Apalone species are native primarily to the United States, though they are also found in parts of southern Canada and northern Mexico...
- Apalone mutica (Smooth Softshell Turtle)
- Apalone spinifera emoryi (Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle)
- Apalone spinifera guadalupensis (Guadalupe Spiny Softshell Turtle)
- Apalone spinifera hartwegi (Western Spiny Softshell Turtle)
- Apalone spinifera pallida (Pallid Spiny Softshell Turtle)
Tortoises
Family Testudinidae (Gopher Tortoises)- Genus GopherusGopherusGopherus is a genus of tortoises commonly referred to as gopher tortoises. The gopher tortoise is grouped with land tortoises that originated 60 million years ago, in North America...
- Gopherus berlandieri (Texas Tortoise) (T)