Arizona’s Reptiles
Arizona’s Reptile Diversity
Arizona supports a tremendous diversity of wildlife, including 107 species of native reptiles, all of which are considered nongame species. Reptiles can be found nearly everywhere in Arizona, occupying all 13 of the state’s vegetative communities. Arizona’s amazing reptile diversity is composed of six turtle species, 49 lizard species, and 52 species of snakes. Among the snakes are 13 species of rattlesnakes, which is just over one-third of the world’s rattlesnakes, and more than can be found in any other U.S. state. Eleven of the reptile species, such as twin-spotted rattlesnakes, Mexican garter snakes, and ornate box turtles, are protected in the state and are illegal to collect from the wild.
In addition to the native reptiles, six nonnative species have, through the actions of humans, become established in the state. Some of these nonnative species, such as pond sliders and Mediterranean house geckos, are such a common sight and have been here for so long that many people think that they are native to Arizona.
Because all reptiles use their environment to actively regulate their body temperature, few are active throughout the winter months. Some species, such as the Gila monster or desert tortoise, may spend up to 95 percent of their lives underground. Other species, like the desert horned lizard, blend in very well with their environment. Both of these adaptations make many species difficult to find even when you are looking for them.
Nongame Reptile Species
Species abstracts
- Aspidoscelis arizonae, Arizona Striped Whiptail
- Aspidoscelis neomexicanus, New Mexico Whiptail
- Aspidoscelis pai, Pai Striped Whiptail
- Aspidoscelis burti stictogrammus, Giant Spotted Whiptail
- Aspidoscelis burti xanthonotus, Redback Whiptail
- Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus, Western Zebra-tailed Lizard
- Callisaurus draconoides ventralis, Arizona Zebra-tailed Lizard
- Charina trivirgata gracia, Desert Rosy Boa
- Charina trivirgata trivirgata, Mexican Rosy Boa
- Chionactis occipitalis annulata, Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake
- Chionactis occipitalis klauberi , Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake
- Chionactis palarostris organica, Organpipe Shovel-nosed Snake
- Chrysemys picta bellii, Western Painted Turtle
- Coleonyx variegatus bogerti, Tucson Banded Gecko
- Coleonyx variegatus utahensis, Desert Banded Gecko
- Coleonyx variegatus variegatus, Utah Banded Gecko
- Coluber constrictor mormon, Western Yellow-bellied Racer
- Crotalus oreganus concolor, Midget Faded Rattlesnake
- Crotalus lepidus klauberi, Banded Rock Rattlesnake
- Crotalus viridis viridis, Green Prairie Rattlesnake
- Crotalus willardi obscurus, New Mexico Ridgenose Rattlesnake
- Crotalus willardi willardi, Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake
- Crotaphytus bicinctores, Great Basin Collared Lizard
- Crotaphytus nebrius, Sonoran Collared Lizard
- Elaphe emoryi, Great Plains Rat Snake
- Eumeces gilberti arizonensis , Arizona Skink
- Gyalopion canum, Chihahuan Hook-nosed Snake
- Gopherus agassizii, Desert Tortoise
- Heloderma suspectum cinctum, Banded Gila Monster
- Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi, Mexican Hog-nosed Snake
- Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale, Sonoyta Mud Turtle
- Lampropeltus getula nigrita, Western Black Kingsnake
- Lampropeltus pyromelana infralabialis, Utah Mountain Kingsnake
- Lampropeltus triangulum, Milksnake
- Microides euryxanthes, Sonoran Coralsnake
- Oxybelis aeneus, Brown Vinesnake
- Phrynosoma cornutum, Texas Horned Lizard
- Phrynosoma mcallii, Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
- Sauromalus ater, Common Chuckwalla
- Sceloporus graciosus graciosus, Northern Sagebrush Lizard
- Sceloporus slevini, Slevin’s Bunchgrass Lizard
- Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii, Desert Massasauga
- Thamnophis eques megalops, Mexican Gartersnake
- Thamnophis rufipunctatus, Narrow-headed Garter Snake
- Uma rufopunctata, Yuma Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
- Uma scopia, Mojave Fring-toed Lizard
- Xantusia arizonae, Arizona Night Lizard
Translate
