List of reptiles of Texas

Last updated

This list of reptiles of Texas includes the snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and turtles native to the U.S. state of Texas.

Contents

Texas has a large range of habitats, from swamps, coastal marshes and pine forests 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 biomes 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 parts 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 reptiles 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 are denoted with a (T) and endangered species are denoted with an (E). The climate of Texas has also led to some species being introduced and establishing a permanent population, denoted with an (I).

Conservation status
Least-concern species
Vulnerable species
Endangered species
Critically endangered
Invasive species

Crocodilians

Order: Crocodilia
PictureScientific nameCommon nameFamilyConservation status
Family: Alligatoridae
(alligators and caimans)
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Chambers Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg Alligator mississippiensis American alligator Alligatoridae IUCN (LC)

Lizards

Order: Squamata
PictureScientific nameCommon nameFamilyConservation status
Family: Anguidae
(anguid and legless lizards)
Gerrhonotus infernalis.jpg
Gerrhonotus infernalis Texas alligator lizard Anguidae IUCN (LC)
Ophisaurus attenuatus. Colorado Co. TX; 30 Mar 2018.jpg Ophisaurus attenuatus Western slender glass lizard Anguidae IUCN (LC)
Family: Dactyloidae
(anoles)
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Polk Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg Anolis carolinensis Green anole Dactyloidae IUCN (LC)
Anolis sagrei, Harris Co TX; 19 Oct 2014.jpg Anolis sagrei Brown anole Dactyloidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (I)
Family: Crotaphytidae
(collared and leopard lizards)
Common Collared Lizard.jpg
Crotaphytus collaris Eastern collared lizard Crotaphytidae
Crotaphytus reticulatus.jpg Crotaphytus reticulatus Reticulated collared lizard Crotaphytidae IUCN (VU)
Texas (T)
Gambelia wislizenii - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1).jpg Gambelia wislizenii Longnose leopard lizard Crotaphytidae IUCN (LC)
Family: Gekkonidae
(geckos)
Coleonyx brevis, Texas Banded Gecko, Webb Co. Texas.jpg Coleonyx brevis Texas banded gecko Gekkonidae IUCN (LC)
Coleonyx reticulatus Reticulated gecko Gekkonidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Cyrtopodion scabrum cropped.jpeg
Cyrtopodion scabrum Rough-tailed gecko Gekkonidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (I)
Common house gecko.jpg
Hemidactylus frenatus Asian house gecko Gekkonidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (I)
Hemidactylus turcicus, Chambers Co., TX; 15 Sept 2018.jpg Hemidactylus turcicus Mediterranean gecko Gekkonidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (I)
Family: Iguanidae
(iguanas)
Ctenosaura pectinata (24333259842).jpg Ctenosaura pectinata Mexican spinytail iguana Iguanidae Texas (I)
Family: Phrynosomatidae
(earless, sand, horned, and spiny lizards)
Reptile tx usa.jpg Cophosaurus texanus Greater earless lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Holbrookia lacerata Northern spot-tailed earless lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (NT)
Holbrookia maculata.jpg
Holbrookia maculata maculata Great Plains earless lizard Phrynosomatidae
Holbrookia maculata flavilenta Chihuahuan earless lizard Phrynosomatidae
Holbrookia maculata perspicua Prairie earless lizard Phrynosomatidae
Holbrookia propinqua, keeled earless lizard, Tamaulipas.jpg Holbrookia propinqua Keeled earless lizard Phrynosomatidae
Holbrookia subcaudalis Southern spot-tailed earless lizard Phrynosomatidae
Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), Armstrong County, Texas, USA (28 April 2013).jpg Phrynosoma cornutum Texas horned lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Mountain short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), Culberson County, Texas, USA (19 May 2018).jpg Phrynosoma hernandesi Greater short-horned lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Roundtail Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma modestum), Municipality of Tula, Tamaulipas, Mexico (15 August 2004).jpg ] Phrynosoma modestum Roundtail horned lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Sceloporus arenicolus Dunes sagebrush lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (VU)
Texas (T)
Sceloporus bimaculosus Twin-spotted spiny lizard Phrynosomatidae
Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus) Hardin Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg Sceloporus consobrinus Prairie lizard Phrynosomatidae
Sceloporus cowlesi, Culberson Co. TX; 14 May 2018.jpg Sceloporus cowlesi Southwestern fence lizard Phrynosomatidae
Blue Spiny Lizard 895.jpg Sceloporus cyanogenys Blue spiny lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Sceloporus grammicus male.JPG Sceloporus grammicus Mesquite lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Sceloporus merriami annulatus Big Bend Canyon lizard Phrynosomatidae
Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus Presidio Canyon lizard Phrynosomatidae
Sceloporus merriami Canyon lizard Phrynosomatidae
Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) basking on a fencepost, Highway 102, Colorado County, Texas, USA (26 March 2017).jpg Sceloporus olivaceus Texas spiny lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Crevice spiny lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii), Mason County, Texas, USA (9 May 2014).jpg Sceloporus poinsettii Crevice spiny lizard Phrynosomatidae
Sceloporus variabilis marmoratus, Northern Rose-bellied Lizard, Texas.jpg Sceloporus marmoratus Rosebelly lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Urosaurus ornatus ornatus, Kerr Co. TX; 18 April 2015.jpg Urosaurus ornatus ornatus Texas tree lizard Phrynosomatidae IUCN (LC)
Urosaurus ornatus schmidti, Culberson Co. TX; 14 May 2018.jpg Urosaurus ornatus schmidti Big Bend tree lizard Phrynosomatidae
Uta stejnegeri Eastern side-blotched lizard Phrynosomatidae
Family: Scincidae
(skinks)
Southern coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus), Jefferson Co, Missouri (15 March 2016).jpg Plestiodon anthracinus pluvialis Southern coal skink Scincidae
Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) Liberty Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg Plestiodon fasciatus Five-lined skink Scincidae
Eumeces laticeps (male).jpg
Plestiodon laticeps Broadhead skink Scincidae IUCN (LC)
Plestiodon multivirgatus epipleurotus Variable skink Scincidae
Eumeces obsoletus1.jpg
Plestiodon obsoletus Great Plains Skink Scincidae IUCN (LC)
Plestiodon septentrionalis obtusirostris Southern prairie skink Scincidae
Plestiodon tetragrammus brevilineatus Short-lined skink Scincidae
Plestiodon t. tetragrammus, Four-lined skink, Tamaulipas.jpg Plestiodon tetragrammus tetragrammus Four-lined skink Scincidae
Scincella lateralis, Walker Co. TX; 4 May 2012.jpg Scincella lateralis Little brown skink Scincidae IUCN (LC)
Family: Teiidae
(whiptails)
Chihuahuan spotted whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis), Culberson Co., TX, 14 May 2018.jpg Aspidoscelis exsanguis Chihuahuan spotted whiptail Teiidae IUCN (LC)
Common spotted whitetail (cropped).jpg Aspidoscelis gularis Texas spotted whiptail Teiidae IUCN (LC)
Aspidoscelis inornata heptagramma Little striped whiptail Teiidae
Aspidoscelis laredoensis, Hidalgo Co. TX; 15 Apr 2016.jpg Aspidoscelis laredoensis Laredo striped whiptail Teiidae IUCN (LC)
Aspidoscelis tigris - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1) (cropped).jpg Aspidoscelis marmorata marmorata Western marbled whiptail Teiidae
Aspidoscelis marmorata reticuloriens Eastern marbled whiptail Teiidae
Cnemidophorus-ThreeSpecies.jpg
Aspidoscelis neomexicana New Mexico whiptail Teiidae IUCN (LC)
Aspidoscelis sexlineata stephensae Texas yellow-headed racerunner Teiidae
Six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus), in situ, Hardin County, Texas (April 2020).jpg Aspidoscelis sexlineata viridis Prairie racerunner Teiidae
Plateau Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis scalaris), Brewster County, Texas cropped (cropped).jpg Aspidoscelis scalaris Plateau spotted whiptail Teiidae
Aspidoscelis tesselata - Flickr - aspidoscelis (2) (cropped).jpg Aspidoscelis tesselata Checkered whiptail Teiidae IUCN (LC)
Aspidoscelis uniparens - Flickr - aspidoscelis (cropped).jpg Aspidoscelis uniparens Desert grassland whiptail Teiidae IUCN (LC)

Snakes

Sub-order: Serpentes
PictureScientific nameCommon nameFamilyConservation status
Family: Typhlopidae
(blindsnakes)
Indotyphlops braminus, Brahminy's blind snake - Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi (51043248827) (cropped).jpg Indotyphlops braminus Brahminy blindsnake Typhlopidae IUCN (LC)
Family: Leptotyphlopidae
(threadsnakes)
Rena dissecta New Mexico threadsnake Leptotyphlopidae IUCN (LC)
Leptotyphlops dulcis.jpg
Rena dulcis dulcis Plains threadsnake Leptotyphlopidae IUCN (LC)
Rena dulcis rubellum South Texas threadsnake Leptotyphlopidae
Rena humilis segregus Trans-Pecos threadsnake Leptotyphlopidae
Family: Colubridae
(colubrids)
Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans), Colorado Co., TX, 2014.jpg Arizona elegans arenicola Texas glossy snake Colubridae
Arizona elegans occidentalis.jpg
Arizona elegans elegans Kansas glossy snake Colubridae
Arizona elegans philipi Painted Desert glossy snake Colubridae
Trans-pecos Ratsnake (Bogertophis subocularis), Brewster Co., TX, 2015.jpg Bogertophis subocularis Trans-Pecos ratsnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Western Worm Snake (Carphophis vermis) (cropped).jpg Carphophis vermis Western wormsnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Cemophora coccinea, Scarlet Snake.jpg Cemophora coccinea Scarletsnake Colubridae
Cemophora lineri Texas scarletsnake Colubridae Texas (T)
Coluber constrictor anthicus.jpg
Coluber constrictor anthicus Buttermilk racer Colubridae
Coluber constrictor etheridgei Tan racer Colubridae
Coluber constrictor flaviventris (1).jpg
Coluber constrictor flaviventris Eastern yellowbelly racer Colubridae
Coluber constrictor oaxaca Mexican racer Colubridae
Blackracer111805.JPG
Coluber constrictor priapus Southern black racer Colubridae
Coniophanes imperialis Black-striped snake Colubridae Texas (T)
Prairie Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi).jpg
Diadophis punctatus arnyi Prairie ringneck snake Colubridae
Diadophis punctatus.jpg
Diadophis punctatus regalis Regal ringneck snake Colubridae
Diadophis punctatus01.jpg
Diadophis punctatus stictogenys Mississippi ringneck snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Drymarchon corais erebennus.jpg
Drymarchon corais erebennus Texas indigo snake Colubridae Texas (T)
Drymobius margaritiferus, Northern Speckled Racer, Tamaulipas.jpg Drymobius margaritiferus Speckled racer Colubridae Texas (T)
Western Mud Snake.jpg
Farancia abacura Red-bellied mud snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Ficimia streckeri Mexican hooknose snake Colubridae
Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake (Gyalopion canum), Brewster County, TX, 11 Sept 2015.jpg Gyalopion canum Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Haldea striatula, Harris Co. TX; 16 Mar 2015.jpg Haldea striatula Rough earthsnake Colubridae
Heterodon kennerlyi Mexican hognose snake Colubridae
Heterodon nasicus gloydi Dusty hognose snake Colubridae
Heterodon nasicus.jpg
Heterodon nasicus nasicus Western hognose snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Eastern Hognose Snake.jpg
Heterodon platirhinos Eastern hognose snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Hypsiglena torquata jani.jpg
Hypsiglena torquata jani Texas night snake Colubridae
Serpent roi bandes grises 01.JPG
Lampropeltis alterna Gray-banded kingsnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster), Colorado Co., TX, 2020.jpg Lampropeltis calligaster Prairie kingsnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki), Austin Co., TX, 2022.jpg Lampropeltis holbrooki Speckled kingsnake Colubridae
Lampropeltis getula splendida.jpg
Lampropeltis splendida Desert kingsnake Colubridae
Lampropeltis triangulum annulata.jpg
Lampropeltis annulata Mexican milksnake Colubridae
Lampropeltis gentilis Western milksnake Colubridae
Leptodeira septentrionalis, Northern Cat-eyed Snake, Tamaulipas (cropped).jpg Leptodeira septentrionalis Northern cat-eyed snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Glossy Swampsnake (Liodytes rigida), Chambers Co., TX, 27 June 2015.jpg Liodytes rigida Gulf swampsnake Colubridae
Masticophis flagellum flagellum.jpg
Masticophis flagellum flagellum Eastern coachwhip Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Masticophis flagellum testaceus Western coachwhip Colubridae
Masticophis schotti schotti Schott's whipsnake Colubridae
Masticophis schotti ruthveni Ruthven's whipsnake Colubridae
Masticophis taeniatus girardi Central Texas whipsnake Colubridae
Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus Desert striped whipsnake Colubridae
Gulf Saltmarsh Watersnake (Nerodia c. clarki) Chambers Co., TX, 20 April 2019.jpg Nerodia clarkii Saltmarsh watersnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Mississippi Green Watersnake (Nerodia cyclopion), Chambers Co., TX, 4 June 2016.jpg Nerodia cyclopion Mississippi green watersnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Plain-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster), Chambers Co., TX, 26 July 2013.jpg Nerodia erythrogaster Plain-bellied watersnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Broad-Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata confluens), Austin Co., TX, 24 May 2015.jpg Nerodia fasciata confluens Broad-banded watersnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Nerodia fasciata pictiventris.jpg
Nerodia fasciata pictiventris Florida watersnake Colubridae
Texas (I)
Nerodia harteri Brazos watersnake Colubridae IUCN (NT)
Texas (T)
Nerodia paucimaculata Concho watersnake Colubridae IUCN (NT)
Texas (T)
Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer), Chambers Co., TX, 26 July 2013.jpg Nerodia rhombifer Diamondback watersnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) (27656451262).jpg Nerodia sipedon pleuralis Midland watersnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Opheodrys aestivus - rough green snake cropped.jpg
Opheodrys aestivus Rough green snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis).jpg
Opheodrys vernalis Smooth green snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Elaphe bairdi.jpg
Pantherophis bairdi Baird's ratsnake Colubridae
Pantherophis emoryi Great Plains ratsnake Colubridae
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri.jpg
Pantherophis obsoletus Western ratsnake Colubridae
Slowinski's cornsnake (Pantherophis slowinskii), in situ, Colorado County, Texas, USA (May 2018).jpg Pantherophis slowinskii Slowinski's cornsnake Colubridae
Pituophis catenifer affinis.jpg
Pituophis catenifer affinis Sonoran gopher snake Colubridae
Pituophis catenifer sayi 007.jpg
Pituophis catenifer sayi Bull snake Colubridae
Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni), Louisiana, USA (13 April 2011).jpg Pituophis ruthveni Louisiana pinesnake Colubridae IUCN (EN)
Texas (T)
Graham's Crawfish Snake (Regina grahamii), Chambers Co., TX, 15 Sept 2018.jpg Regina grahamii Graham's crayfish snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus.jpg
Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus Texas longnose snake Colubridae
Salvadora deserticola Big Bend patch-nose snake Colubridae Texas (T)
Salvadora grahamiae grahamiae Mountain patch-nose snake Colubridae
Salvadora grahamiae.jpg Salvadora grahamiae lineata Texas patch-nose snake Colubridae
Sonora semiannulata semiannulata, Ozark County, Missouri, by Peter Paplanus.jpg
Sonora semiannulata Ground snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Storeria dekayi limnetes Marsh brown snake Colubridae
Storeria dekayi texana.jpg
Storeria dekayi texana Texas brown snake Colubridae
Redbelly Snake - Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata.jpg
Storeria occipitomaculata Redbelly snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Tantilla atriceps Mexican blackhead snake Colubridae
Tantilla cucullata Big Bend blackhead snake Colubridae
Tantilla gracilis.jpg
Tantilla gracilis Flathead snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Tantilla hobartsmithi Southwestern blackhead snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Plains black headed snake.jpg
Tantilla nigriceps Plains blackhead snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus.jpg
Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyrtopsis Blackneck garter snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Thamnophis marcianus.jpg
Thamnophis marcianus Checkered garter snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Thamnophis proximus diabolicus Arid land ribbon snake Colubridae
Thamnophis proximus orarius Gulf Coast ribbon snake Colubridae
Thamnophis proximus proximus Western ribbon snake Colubridae
Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus.jpg
Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus Redstripe ribbon snake Colubridae
Plains gartersnake.jpg
Thamnophis radix Plains garter snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Thamnophis sirtalis annectens.jpg
Thamnophis sirtalis annectens Texas garter snake Colubridae
Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis New Mexico garter snake Colubridae
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Wooster.jpg
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Common garter snake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Trimorphodon vilkinsonii.jpg Trimorphodon vilkinsonii Texas lyresnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Tropidoclonion lineatum texanum.jpg
Tropidoclonion lineatum texanum Texas lined snake Colubridae
Iowaherps-virginia valeriae (cropped).jpg Virginia valeriae Smooth earthsnake Colubridae IUCN (LC)
Family: Elapidae
(elapids)
Micrurus tener.jpg
Micrurus tener Texas coral snake Elapidae IUCN (LC)
Family: Viperidae
(vipers)
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) photographed in Liberty Co., Texas. W. L. Farr.jpg Agkistrodon contortrix Eastern copperhead Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus2.jpg
Agkistrodon laticinctus Broad-banded copperhead Viperidae
Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) photographed in Liberty Co., Texas. W. L. Farr.jpg Agkistrodon piscivorus Northern cottonmouth Viperidae
Crotalus atrox USFWS.jpg
Crotalus atrox Western diamondback rattlesnake Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), Colorado Co., TX, 2016.jpg Crotalus horridus Timber rattlesnake Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)
Crotalus lepidus klauberi - Flickr - aspidoscelis.jpg Crotalus lepidus klauberi Banded rock rattlesnake Viperidae
Crotalus lepidus lepidus 1.jpg
Crotalus lepidus lepidus Mottled rock rattlesnake Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Northern black-tailed rattlesnake.jpg Crotalus ornatus Eastern black-tailed rattlesnake Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Crotalus scutulatus 02.JPG
Crotalus scutulatus Mojave rattlesnake Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Crotalus viridis nuntius.jpg
Crotalus viridis viridis Prairie rattlesnake Viperidae IUCN (LC)
Sistrurus-catenatus-edwardsii CDC-small.jpg
Sistrurus tergeminus edwardsii Desert massasauga Viperidae
Sistrurus catetanus tergeminus by LA Dawson.jpg
Sistrurus tergeminus tergeminus Western massasauga Viperidae
Sistrurus miliarius streckeri.jpg
Sistrurus miliarius streckeri Western pigmy rattlesnake Viperidae

Turtles

Order: Testudines
PictureScientific nameCommon nameFamilyConservation status
Family: Cheloniidae
(marine turtles)
Loggerhead sea turtle.jpg
Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Cheloniidae IUCN (VU)
Texas (T)
Green Sea Turtle grazing seagrass.jpg Chelonia mydas Green turtle Cheloniidae IUCN (EN)
Texas (T)
Hawksbill turtle off the coast of Saba.jpg
Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill sea turtle Cheloniidae IUCN (CR)
Texas (E)
Lepidochelys kempii.jpg
Lepidochelys kempii Atlantic ridley Cheloniidae IUCN (CR)
Texas (E)
Family: Dermochelidae
(leatherback sea turtles)
Leatherback sea turtle Tinglar, USVI (5839996547).jpg
Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelidae IUCN (VU)
Texas (E)
Family: Kinosternidae
(mud and musk turtles)
Kinosternon flavescens 1.jpg
Kinosternon flavescens Yellow mud turtle Kinosternidae IUCN (LC)
Lake Chapala Mud Turtle (cropped).jpg Kinosternon hirtipes murrayi Rough-footed mud turtle Kinosternidae IUCN (LC)
Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis, Chambers Co., Texas, 8 June 2012.jpg Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis Mississippi mud turtle Kinosternidae
Razorback Musk Turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) Hardin Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg Sternotherus carinatus Razorback musk turtle Kinosternidae
Sternotherus odoratus, Kerr Co. TX; 8 May 2014.jpg Sternotherus odoratus Eastern musk turtle Kinosternidae IUCN (LC)
Family: Emydidae
(water and box turtles)
A3 Southern painted turtle.jpg
Chrysemys dorsalis Southern painted turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
A4 Western painted turtle.jpg
Chrysemys picta bellii Western painted turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Deirochelys reticularia 2008-11-02 289.jpg
Deirochelys reticularia Chicken turtle Emydidae
Graptemys caglei hatchling.jpg Graptemys caglei Cagle's map turtle Emydidae IUCN (EN)
Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis).jpg Graptemys ouachitensis Oachita map turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Sabine map turtle (Graptemys sabinensis).jpg Graptemys sabinensis Sabine map turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Mississippi map turtles (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni) female & male.jpg Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii Mississippi map turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa).jpg Graptemys versa Texas map turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Malaclemys terrapin, Galveston Co., Texas; 8 May 2008.jpg Malaclemys terrapin Diamondback terrapin Emydidae IUCN (VU)
Pseudemys concinna, Marion Co., TX, 2017.jpg Pseudemys concinna concinna Eastern river cooter Emydidae
PB110463CR (cropped).jpg Pseudemys gorzugi Rio Grande cooter Emydidae IUCN (NT)
Pseudemys nelsoni Florida red-bellied turtle Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Pseudemys texana, Kerr Co., TX, 2014.jpg Pseudemys texana Texas river cooter Emydidae IUCN (LC)
Three-toed Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) Walker Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg Terrapene triunguis Three-toed box turtle Emydidae IUCN (VU)
Desert-box-turtle.jpg
Terrapene ornata luteola Desert box turtle Emydidae
Terrapene ornata ornata.jpg
Terrapene ornata ornata Ornate box turtle Emydidae IUCN (NT)
Big bend slider turtle (cropped).jpg
Trachemys gaigeae Big Bend slider Emydidae IUCN (VU)
Trachemys scripta, Harris Co., Texas; 3 Apr 2016.jpg Trachemys scripta elegans Red-eared slider Emydidae
Family: Chelydridae
(snapping turtles)
Common Snapping Turtle.jpg
Chelydra serpentina Common snapping turtle Chelydridae IUCN (LC)
Alligator snapping turtle.jpg
Macrochelys temminckii Alligator snapping turtle Chelydridae IUCN (VU)
Family: Trionychidae
(softshell turtles)
Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica mutica) (9236915356).jpg
Apalone mutica Smooth softshell turtle Trionychidae IUCN (LC)
Texas Spiny Shoftshell (Apalone spinifera emoryi) - Flickr - GregTheBusker (3) (cropped).jpg Apalone spinifera emoryi Texas spiny softshell turtle Trionychidae
Apalone spinifera guadalupensis Guadalupe spiny softshell turtle Trionychidae
Apalone spinifera, Colorado Co., Texas; 28 June 2014.jpg Apalone spinifera pallida Pallid spiny softshell turtle Trionychidae
Family: Testudinidae
(gopher tortoises)
Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) (57391706).jpg Gopherus berlandieri Texas tortoise Testudinidae IUCN (LC)
Texas (T)

See also

Further reading

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern copperhead</span> Species of reptile

The eastern copperhead, also known simply as the copperhead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper, endemic to eastern North America; it is a member of the subfamily Crotalinae in the family Viperidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Painted turtle</span> Species of reptile

The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in relatively slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have been shown to prefer large wetlands with long periods of inundation and emergent vegetation. This species is one of the few that is specially adapted to tolerate freezing temperatures for extended periods of time due to an antifreeze-like substance in their blood that keeps their cells from freezing. This turtle is a member of the genus Chrysemys, which is part of the pond turtle family Emydidae. Fossils show that the painted turtle existed 15 million years ago. Three regionally based subspecies evolved during the last ice age. The southern painted turtle (C. dorsalis) is alternately considered the only other species in Chrysemys, or another subspecies of C. picta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicken turtle</span> Species of turtle

The chicken turtle is a turtle native to the southeastern United States. It is the only extant member of the genus Deirochelys and is a member of the freshwater marsh turtle family Emydidae. The chicken turtle's scientific name refers to its extremely long neck and distinctive net-like pattern on its upper shell. There are three regionally distinct subspecies, which are thought to have evolved when populations became separated during periods of glaciation. These subspecies can be distinguished by their appearance; the western chicken turtle displays dark markings along the seams of its plastron, while the plastron of the Florida subspecies is a bright yellow or orange color. Fossil records show that the chicken turtle has been present in the region for up to five million years.

<i>Pseudemys</i> Genus of turtles

Pseudemys is a genus of large, herbivorous, freshwater turtles of the eastern United States and adjacent northeast Mexico. 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 enslaved people from Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James R. Dixon</span> American herpetologist

James Ray Dixon was professor emeritus and curator emeritus of amphibians and reptiles at the Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection at Texas A&M University. He lived in El Campo, Texas, throughout most of his childhood. He published prolifically on the subject of herpetology in his distinguished career, authoring and co-authoring several books, book chapters, and numerous peer reviewed notes and articles, describing two new genera, and many new species, earning him a reputation as one of the most prominent herpetologists of his generation. His main research focus was morphology based systematics of amphibians and reptiles worldwide with emphasis on Texas, US, Mexico, Central America, and South America, although bibliographies, conservation, ecology, life history and zoogeography have all been the subjects of his extensive publications.

<i>Drymarchon melanurus erebennus</i> Subspecies of snake

Drymarchon melanurus erebennus, commonly known as the Texas indigo snake, is a subspecies of large, nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The subspecies is native to Texas in the United States and adjacent Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas garter snake</span> Subspecies of snake

The Texas garter snake is a subspecies of the common garter snake. The subspecies, which belongs to the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae, is native to the western United States.

<i>Graptemys</i> Genus of turtles

Graptemys is a genus of freshwater turtles containing 14 species, commonly known as map turtles. Graptemys are small to medium-sized turtles that are significantly sexually dimorphic, with females in some species attaining as much as twice the length and ten times the mass as males. Depending on the species, adult males range from 7–16 cm (2.75–6.25 in), adult females 10–29.5 cm (4–11.62 in), and hatchlings 2.5–3.8 cm (1–1.5 in), although some sources indicate female Barbour's map turtles grow to 33 cm (13 in) in length. Most species have a distinctive dark pigmented keel that is often notched or serrated running down the center of the carapace and serrated scutes on the rear margin. The head, neck, and limbs exhibit bold patterns of yellow lines and spots against darker green, olive, or black base colors. The patterns on the head can be important characters in identifying the various species. The common name "map turtle" is derived from the intricate patterns on their shells that are suggestive of topographical maps, although the patterns are more apparent in some species than others, and often become obscure in older specimens. Some species are occasionally called "sawbacks", in reference to the serrated keels on their shell.

Hobart Muir Smith, born Frederick William Stouffer, was an American herpetologist. He is credited with describing more than 100 new species of American reptiles and amphibians. In addition, he has been honored by having at least six species named after him, including the southwestern blackhead snake, Smith's earth snake, Smith's arboreal alligator lizard, Hobart's anadia, Hobart Smith's anole, and Smith's rose-bellied lizard. At 100 years of age, Smith continued to be an active and productive herpetologist. Although he published on a wide range of herpetological subjects, his main focus throughout his career was on the amphibians and reptiles of Mexico, including taxonomy, bibliographies, and history. Having published more than 1,600 manuscripts, he surpassed all contemporaries and remains the most published herpetologist of all time.

<i>Virginia striatula</i> Species of snake

Virginia striatula, commonly called the rough earth snake, is a species of nonvenomous natricine colubrid snake native to the Southeastern United States.

<i>Drymobius margaritiferus</i> Species of snake

Drymobius margaritiferus, commonly known as the speckled racer, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the Americas. The specific name, margaritiferus, means "pearl-bearing" in Latin, referring to the pearl-like spots on the dorsal scales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande cooter</span> Species of turtle

The Rio Grande cooter is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to northeastern Mexico and the adjacent southwestern United States.

J. Whitfield "Whit" Gibbons is an American herpetologist, author, and educator. He is Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, and former Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern painted turtle</span> Species of turtle

The southern painted turtle is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. It is endemic to the south-central United States.

Lee Fitzgerald is Professor of Zoology and Faculty Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University. His biological specialty is the evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles (herpetology). Fitzgerald is a former editor of Herpetological Monographs.

Walter E. Meshaka Jr. is an American herpetologist and natural historian. He was the supervisory curator for the four National Parks in southern Florida from 1995 to 2000. In 2000 he became the Senior Curator of Zoology and Botany at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His research has been covered by Lawrence Journal-World, among other news outlets.

<i>Leptodeira septentrionalis</i> Species of snake

Leptodeira septentrionalis, the northern cat-eyed snake, is a species of medium-sized, slightly venomous snake, found from southern Texas to Costa Rica.

References