Reptiles

Setting aside the scientific minutia, this is an attempt to focus on just common, distinct looking and specifically the most interesting species of reptiles that would be sought after for photographs. Unlike birds which seem to have legions of admirers, outside of pet owners reptiles do not appear to have much in the way of user friendly online resources. This list is primarily based on the reptiles rated G5 (secure population) from the NatureServe website.

Alligators

These fearsome beasts left are found throughout the Gulf Coast, some as large as 14ft long.

The only other North American reptiles that belong to the order Crocodilia are a small population of Crocodiles in Florida and pet Caimans that have been released into the wild.

Lizards

There are approximately 70 common species of lizard found in North America. Many have the ability to chance colour which can make a proper ID particularly difficult.

About half of all common lizards are iguanas however only the Desert Iguana of California retains that exact moniker. This light brown spotted lizard is upwards of 16" in length and is unlikely to be confused with another species. The Chuckwalla of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts is of similar size but its much thicker with loose folds of skin. It can be black or brown with red or brown spots.

The Green Anole right is both unique in appearance and abundant along the southeast coast from Texas to the Carolinas. Under stress it can appear brown and be confused with the invasive Brown Anole.

The Collared Lizards are 10+ inch long desert desert dwellers with large heads and a dark collars around the neck. The Common/Eastern species is common in southeast UT, AZ, NM, CO & TX while the Desert/Great Basin and Baja species are most common in CA

The Long-nosed Leopard Lizard right, is widespread across the Southwest from TX to CA and as far north as ID Its ~ 5" in length with a large head, a long nose and the titular spots.

The most abundant lizard of Western North America is the Common Side-blotched Lizard left About six inches in length and bolder than most species, often they won't run away from humans. Males feature bright orange and blue throats.

The most common family of lizards are the Spiny Lizards. There are at least nine species that can be considered locally common. The five inch Sagebrush Lizard is the most widespread (CA, CO, ID, OR, UT, WY), the 11" Texas & Crevice Spiny Lizards of Texas are the largest.

The Desert or Great Basin Spiny Lizard left is among the larger members of this family. It ranges in AZ, CA, NM, NV & TX. It is usually gray or brown with large overlapping scales. In addition to the black shoulder patches it can also have purple, yellow, orange blue and green scales.

By far the most abundant member of this family is the Eastern Fence Lizard right which is a familiar resident of over two dozen eastern states. It is a medium sized Spiny Lizard which goes by the names Prairie Lizard and Plateau Lizard as well.

The best way the judge most species is by location. The Western Fence Lizard left is abundant, but only in California and it is also the dominant species in both OR & NV.

The Clark's and Mountain Spiny Lizards are only found in Arizona while the tiny Rosebelly Lizard is only common in Texas.

The Ornate Tree Lizard right is so named because it tends to favour shrubs, a trait it shares with the similar looking Long-tailed Brush Lizard. Tree Lizards are widespread (AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, TX, UT, WY) while Brush Lizards are only found in the far West (CA, AZ, NV)

Other families of Lizards include the Rock Lizard and Fringe-toed Lizards of California, three species of Earless Lizards (mostly in Arizona), six species of Horned Lizards (widespread) and the Zebra-tailed Lizard (AZ, CA, NM, NV, UT)

Geckos

Unlike the pet store variety the two native species of gecko, Texas & Western (AZ & SoCal) are nocturnal and don't climb walls. Both are 4" long, light coloured and have brown bands.

However there are several species that have been introduced to the Southeast including the Common House Gecko left

This Gold Dust Day Gecko right is originally from Madagascar, it is one of several introduced to HI

All other species of North American lizard belong to the sub-order Autarchoglossa. This group of reptiles blurs the line between lizards and snakes and some like the Glass Lizards of the Southeast, which have no legs and average 3ft in length, make a mockery of it. However these same lizards are closely related to Alligator Lizards, common 12" lizards with large smooth scales and a long alligator-like snout.

The Gila Monster is rare outside of Western Arizona but its notable for its size, 2ft long, thick bodied and brightly coloured, a signal to others that it has a poisonous bite.

There are a dozen common species of Skink, most reside in the east and by and large resemble one another quite closely. The Western Skink is widespread along the West Coast, its 5"-7" inches in length and has long horizontal stripes.

Western Whiptails above, like all other members of its genus have a rather complicated method of reproducing that can involve a lot of interspecific breeding thus the concept of species can be a little fluid with these reptiles.

The most abundant and widespread whiptail is the Six-lined Racerunner right

Snakes

These reptiles are more often seen in nightmares then they are in photographs. Most North American snakes (over two dozen species) are members of the Colubrid Family of 'typical snakes'. This includes the Common Garter Snake left which has the distinction of being the only native reptile that is common in British Columbia. These familiar serpents are usually 20" in length but can grow to more than twice that length.

Other family members include the Gopher Snake below with its distinct chain-like patter and the Racer (solid in colour). Both are also widespread, but much larger, usually in excess of 3ft in length.

The Northwest (ID in particular) is also home to the Rubber Boa. They feature dark wrinkled skin, have lighter bellies and are approximately 2ft long.

Rattlesnakes are common in the West with the 40" Western Rattler being the most widespread and AZ, with 7 species, the best place to see one. They are poisonous as are their close cousins the Copperhead & Cottonmouth of the Southeast.

Lastly the venomous Coral Snakes of AZ, TX and LA are small (2ft) but colourful with bright yellow, red and black bands.

Turtles

The turtle you most often see basking on a log at your local pond is a Slider, an introduced species that is familiar to the pet store trade. Like most other turtle species they are native to the Southeast. They belong to a family called the 'Pond Turtles' which contain over half of the common species of Turtle found in North America.

The other families are Snapping Turtles, Softshell Turtles, and the small Mud/Musk Turtles. All species not residing in the Southeast are either threatened at some level with extinction.

Tortoise

Unlike their turtle cousins the Desert Tortoise left does not need water. They are sometimes referred to as the Gopher Tortoises because they dig large, deep burrows.

There are about a 100,000 tortoise remaining in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, approximately 10% of the population from 50 years ago.

While the species is endangered, individuals can have a long lifespan, approaching that of human beings.

Sea Turtles

As bad as it is for Western turtle species its even worse for Sea Turtles. All species are endangered and for some, like the Leatherback the situation is critical.

There are a few bright spots like the Hawaiian Islands where the Green Sea Turtle or Honu right is a familiar sight.