Reptiles of Florida
Encyclopedia
This is a list of reptiles which are found in the U.S. state of Florida
. This list includes both native and introduced species. Introduced species are put on this list only if they have an established population (large breeding population, numerous specimens caught, invasive
, etc.). Three out of the four orders of reptiles can be found in Florida, with the Tuatara
order being absent. Though many sources has different amounts (due to introduced species), this lists 118 species, which is about right.
Emydids
Mud Turtles
Softshells
Teiids
Geckos
Anguids
, which was introduced when Hurricane Andrew destroyed a holding facility full of imported snakes, and which created a huge media storm and fears it would become widely invasive, but this species has proven unable to withstand colder weather outside of extreme South Florida.
Vipers
Squamates (suborder Amphisbaenidae)
This is the smallest and least known squamate suborder. It contains the wormlike amphisbaenids. Florida has one species.
Florida Herpetology Center
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. This list includes both native and introduced species. Introduced species are put on this list only if they have an established population (large breeding population, numerous specimens caught, invasive
Invasive
Invasive may refer to:*A military invasion*An invasive species*An invasive medical procedure*The invasively progressive spread of disease from one organ in the body to another, especially in reference to cancer...
, etc.). Three out of the four orders of reptiles can be found in Florida, with the Tuatara
Tuatara
The tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealand which, though it resembles most lizards, is actually part of a distinct lineage, order Sphenodontia. The two species of tuatara are the only surviving members of its order, which flourished around 200 million years ago. Their most recent common...
order being absent. Though many sources has different amounts (due to introduced species), this lists 118 species, which is about right.
Testudines
This order includes all the freshwater and sea turtles, as well as the land tortoises. Overall, 26 species can be found. Florida has many turtles, but only one species of tortoise.EmydidsEmydidaeEmydidae, 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,...
- Pond Slider
- Spotted TurtleSpotted TurtleThe Spotted turtle , the only current species of Clemmys, is a small, semi-aquatic turtle that reaches a carapace length of upon adulthood. Their broad, smooth, low dark-colored upper shell, or carapace, ranges in its exact colour from black to a bluish black with a number of yellow tiny round spots...
- Painted TurtlePainted TurtleThe painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to Louisiana and northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The turtle is the only species of the genus Chrysemys, which is part of the pond turtle...
- Chicken TurtleChicken TurtleThe Chicken turtle , is a cold-blooded uncommon freshwater turtle found in the southeast of the United States.It is in the monotypic genus Deirochelys....
- Eastern Box TurtleTerrapene carolinaThe common box turtle is a species of box turtle with six existing subspecies. It is found throughout the eastern United States and Mexico. The box turtle has a distinctive hinged lowered shell that allows it to completely enclose itself...
- Escambia Map TurtleEscambia Map TurtleThe Escambia Map Turtle is a species of turtle in the Emydidae family.It is endemic to the United States.-Source:* Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 29 July 2007....
- Barbour's Map TurtleBarbour's Map TurtleThe Barbour's Map Turtle is a species of turtle in the Emydidae family.It is endemic to the eastern United States in rivers located in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.-Ownership:...
- Florida Redbelly TurtleFlorida Redbelly TurtleThe Florida red-bellied cooter or Florida redbelly turtle is a species of the genus Pseudemys.Its range is in Florida, and southern Georgia....
- Peninsula CooterPeninsula cooterThe Peninsula cooter is a species of freshwater turtle in the genus Pseudemys.The species is found in the Florida peninsula....
- Eastern River Cooter
- Diamondback TerrapinDiamondback terrapinThe diamondback terrapin or simply terrapin, is a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal swamps of the eastern and southern United States. It belongs to the monotypic genus, Malaclemys...
Mud TurtlesKinosternidaeKinosternidae 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...
- Eastern Mud TurtleEastern Mud TurtleThe eastern mud turtle or common mud turtle is a common species of turtle found in the United States.-Appearance:...
- Striped Mud TurtleStriped Mud TurtleThe striped mud turtle is a species of turtle endemic to the United States.-Geographic range:Striped mud turtle are found in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.-Description:...
- Common Musk Turtle
- Loggerhead Musk TurtleLoggerhead Musk TurtleThe loggerhead musk turtle is a species of turtle native to the United States.-Geographic distribution:The loggerhead musk turtle can be found in the states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee....
SoftshellsTrionychidaeTrionychidae 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...
- Spiny Softshell
- Smooth SoftshellSmooth Softshell turtleThe smooth softshell turtle is a softshell turtle of the family Trionychidae.-Geographic range:It lives mainly in the Mississippi River drainage including the Ohio River and the lower Allegheny River.-Description:...
- Florida SoftshellFlorida Softshell TurtleThe Florida softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle native to the southeastern United States, and is one of the fastest turtles to move on land.-Geographic range:...
Sea Turtles
- Green Sea TurtleGreen Sea TurtleThe Green sea turtle or green turtle is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
- Hawksbill TurtleHawksbill turtleThe hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in its genus. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies. E. imbricata imbricata is the Atlantic subspecies, while E...
- LoggerheadLoggerhead Sea TurtleThe loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
- Kemp's RidleyKemp's RidleyKemp's ridley sea turtle , or Atlantic ridley sea turtle is the rarest sea turtle and is critically endangered. It is one of two living species in the genus Lepidochelys Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), or Atlantic ridley sea turtle is the rarest sea turtle and is critically...
Crocodilians
There are officially 2 large species of Crocodilians and one introduced species found in Florida. They are the largest reptiles and the largest predators of the state. The Spectacled Caiman was introduced in the 1960s by pet traders who sold them privately as pets, but once the caiman matures they become aggressive towards their owners and would release them into the wild. These non-native species are found in four counties: palm beach, seminole, miami-dade, and broward. In these Southern Florida counties they are often found in or near urban areas. They are found in lakes and canals in the miami area and in swamps, but the caimans are also competing with Florida's native species.Squamates (suborder Lacertilia)
The squamates are by far the largest reptile order. It is therefore divided into suborders. Lizards may be the most numerous reptiles in the state, though many species were introduced.Anoles
- Green Anole
- Brown AnoleBrown AnoleThe Brown Anole is a lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, and is now found in Florida and as far north as southern Georgia, Texas, Taiwan, Hawaii, Southern California, and other Caribbean islands.This species is highly invasive...
- Introduced - Bark Anole - Introduced
- Knight AnoleKnight AnoleThe knight anole is a species of lizard in the Polychrotidae family, and the largest species of anole. Other common names include Cuban knight anole.-Geographic range:...
- Introduced - Crested AnolePuerto Rican Crested AnoleThe Puerto Rican crested anole is the nominate subspecies of a species of anole belonging to the Polychrotidae family of reptiles.-Geographic range:...
- Introduced - Large-headed AnoleLarge-headed AnoleThe large-headed anole , sometimes called the largehead anole, is a species of anole found throughout the Caribbean. It has also been introduced to Florida, with small but stable breeding populations. This species gets its name from the males strangely large head. It is often brownish in color with...
- Introduced - Cuban Green AnoleCuban green anoleThe Cuban green anole is a species of anole found exclusively in Cuba, though it was introduced to parts of Florida....
- Introduced - Hispaniolan Green AnoleHispaniolan Green AnoleThe Hispaniolan green anole is a species of anole native to the island of Hispaniola. It is very similar to the North American species, the green anole , but males have a light blue throat flap, instead of red...
- Introduced - Jamaican Giant AnoleJamaican giant anoleThe Jamaican giant anole , also known as the Jamaican crested anole is a species of anole found in Jamaica and surrounding islands. It has also been introduced into Florida....
- Introduced
Iguanas
- Florida Scrub LizardFlorida Scrub LizardSceloporus woodi, the Florida scrub lizard, is a species of lizard endemic to Florida.Sceloporus woodi is threatened by habitat loss because Florida scrub lizards prefer sandy uplands; the same well-drained habitats that are cleared for development and agriculture...
- Eastern Fence LizardEastern fence lizardThe eastern fence lizard is a medium-sized species of lizard found along forest edges, rock piles, and rotting logs or stumps in the eastern United States...
- Green IguanaGreen IguanaThe Green Iguana or Common Iguana is a large, arboreal herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana native to Central and South America...
- Introduced - Common BasiliskCommon BasiliskThe Common Basilisk is a lizard found in Central and South American rainforests near rivers and streams.The basilisk is part of the corytophanid family...
- Introduced - Brown BasiliskBrown basiliskThe Brown Basilisk or Striped Basilisk is one species of basilisk lizard. They are native to Panama, Belize, northwestern Colombia and Costa Rica, but have been introduced into the U.S...
- Introduced - Black Spinytail Iguana - Introduced
- Mexican Spinytail Iguana - Introduced
- Texas Horned LizardTexas horned lizardThe Texas horned lizard is one of about 14 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards. P. cornutum ranges from Colorado and Kansas to northern Mexico , and from southeastern Arizona to Texas. There are also isolated, introduced populations in the Carolinas, Georgia, and...
- Introduced - Northern Curly-tailed Lizard - Introduced
- Hispaniolan Curly-tailed Lizard - Introduced
Agamids
- Common Agama - Introduced
- Oriental Garden Lizard - Introduced
- Common Butterfly LizardCommon Butterfly LizardThe Common Butterfly Lizard or simply Butterfly Lizard is a widespread species found in Asia. It can be found in the forests of Indochina, Thailand, and Malaysia. It is known for the beautiful patterns on its back and sides. It has yellow spots on its back, and small orange and black lines on its...
- Introduced
TeiidsTeiidaeTeiidae 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...
- Six-lined Racerunner
- Giant Ameiva (Ameiva ameiva) - Introduced
- Rainbow WhiptailRainbow WhiptailThe Rainbow Whiptail is a species of lizard found in South America. It has also been introduced in Florida and has established populations there....
- Introduced
GeckosGeckOSGeckOS is an experimental operating system for MOS 6502 and compatible processors. It offers some Unix-like functionality including preemptive multitasking, multithreading, semaphores, signals, binary relocation, TCP/IP networking via SLIP and a 6502 standard library.GeckOS includes native support...
- Reef GeckoReef GeckoThe Reef Gecko, also known as the Florida Reef Gecko, is a small species of gecko from the United States.-Habitat and range:This is one of the few geckos found in the United States. It can also be found in Cuba and the Bahamas. It can be found in both natural and man-made habitats....
- Ocellated GeckoOcellated GeckoSphaerodactylus argus, the ocellated gecko, is a species of gecko.-Geographic range:The type locality is Jamaica. It is also native to Cuba and Hispaniola...
- Ashy GeckoAshy geckoThe Ashy Gecko is a species of gecko native to Cuba and Hispaniola. It is a small species, dark in color with many white spots. It is also a good climber. Ashy geckos have been introduced in southern Florida, and have well established populations....
- Introduced - House GeckoHouse GeckoThe Common House Gecko, scientific name Hemidactylus frenatus, is a native of southeastern Asia. It is also known as the Pacific house gecko, the Asian house gecko, or simply, the house lizard. They can be seen climbing walls of houses and other buildings in search of insects attracted to porch...
- Introduced - Tokay GeckoTokay geckoThe Tokay Gecko is a nocturnal arboreal gecko, ranging from northeast India and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, Philippines to Indonesia and western New Guinea. Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and...
- Introduced - Mediterranean Gecko - Introduced
- Indo-Pacific Gecko - Introduced
- Asian Flattail House Gecko - Introduced
- Madagascan Giant Day Gecko - Introduced
Skinks
- Mole SkinkMole SkinkThe Mole Skink is a species of small lizard living in the Southeastern United States.-Taxonomy:The species is subdivided into five subspecies:...
- Coal SkinkCoal SkinkThe Coal Skink is a North-American lizard that grows to 13 to 18 cm in length with a maximum snout to vent length of 7 cm . It is a four-lined skink whose light stripes extend onto the tail. The broad dark lateral stripe is 4 - 4.5 scales wide and there are no light lines on top of the...
- Sand Skink
- Broadhead Skink
- Five-lined Skink
- Southeastern Five-lined SkinkSoutheastern five-lined SkinkThe Southeastern five-lined skink is a common skink in the southeastern United States. Its scientific name E...
AnguidsAnguidaeThe 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...
- Eastern Glass Lizard
- Slender Glass LizardSlender glass lizardThe Slender Glass Lizard, is a legless lizard which can attain a length of up to 1 meter. Two subspecies are recognised.- Subspecies :*Western Slender Glass Lizard, Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus...
- Mimic Glass LizardMimic Glass LizardThe Mimic Glass Lizard is a species of Glass lizard found in the United States.-Habitat and habits:It is found only in the Carolinas, Georgia, and, occasionally, northern Florida. It feeds on insects and other invertebrates....
- Island Glass LizardIsland Glass LizardThe Island Glass Lizard is a species of lizard found in the United States....
Squamates (suborder Serpentes)
This suborder includes all kinds of snakes. There are many snakes in Florida, some venomous and others non-venomous, and unlike lizards, nearly all are native. Two species are introduced, including the Burmese PythonBurmese Python
The Burmese Python is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees...
, which was introduced when Hurricane Andrew destroyed a holding facility full of imported snakes, and which created a huge media storm and fears it would become widely invasive, but this species has proven unable to withstand colder weather outside of extreme South Florida.
Colubrids
- Corn SnakeCorn SnakeThe Corn Snake , or Red Rat Snake, is a North American species of Rat Snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. The name "Corn Snake" is a holdover from the days when southern farmers stored harvested ears of corn in a wood frame or log building called a crib...
- Mud Snake
- Ribbon SnakeRibbon snakeThe Ribbon Snake or Ribbonsnake is a common snake found throughout North America. It averages in length and is a member of the garter snake genus...
- Rainbow SnakeFarancia erytrogrammaFarancia erytrogramma is a large, nonvenomous, highly aquatic, colubrid snake found in coastal plains of the southeastern United States...
- Black Rat SnakeBlack Rat SnakeThe Western ratsnake — also called black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake — is a nonvenomous colubrid species found in North America. No subspecies are currently recognized....
- Common Garter SnakeCommon Garter SnakeThe Common Garter Snake is a snake indigenous to North America. Most garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a brown or green background and their average length is about , maximum about .-Subspecies:...
- Rough Green Snake
- Pine SnakePituophis melanoleucusPituophis melanoleucus is a harmless colubrid species found in the United States. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
- Redbelly SnakeStoreria 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...
- Eastern Racer
- Southern black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)
- Scarlet Snake
- American Brown SnakeStoreria dekayiStoreria dekayi, commonly known as the brown snake or De Kay's snake, is a small species of colubrid snake.-Geographic range:...
- Rough Earth Snake
- Smooth Earth Snake
- Florida Crown SnakeFlorida Crown SnakeThe Florida Crowned Snake is a species of snake native only to Florida. It is a small species with a light body color and darker head....
- Southeastern Crown SnakeSoutheastern Crown SnakeThe Southeastern Crown Snake is a common species of small snake found in the southeastern United States. It has a black head with a yellowish crossbar on the occiput, followed by a black collar 3 to 5 scales wide. The remainder of the dorsum is reddish brown, and the underside is whitish. It has...
- Rim Rock Crown SnakeRim Rock Crown SnakeThe Rim Rock Snake is a species of snake found only in Florida....
- Swamp SnakeSeminatrixSeminatrix is a genus of colubrid snakes. There is a single species in the genus, the swamp snake with three subspecies:- Subspecies :*South Florida swamp snake, Seminatrix pygaea cyclas Dowling, 1950...
- Short-tailed SnakeShort-tailed SnakeThe Short-tailed Snake is a small harmless colubrid snake. Fossorial and seldom seen, it is found only in sandy, upland parts of Florida where it is listed as Threatened and is protected by state law...
- Queen SnakeQueen snakeThe queen snake is a nonvenomous member of the colubrid family of snakes. This species ranges through the temperate region of North America east of the Mississippi River from western New York state to Wisconsin and south to Alabama and northern Florida...
- Striped Crayfish Snake
- Glossy Crayfish SnakeGlossy crayfish snakeThe glossy crayfish snake is a nonvenomous shiny, dark aquatic snake, usually measuring 14-24 inches . Its color can be described as brown to olive-brown...
- Pine Woods SnakePine Woods SnakeThe pine woods snake is a secretive colubrid found in scattered locations across the Southeastern United States.- Description :...
- Common Kingsnake
- Mole Kingsnake
- Scarlet KingsnakeScarlet KingsnakeThe Scarlet kingsnake is a species of kingsnake found in the southeastern and eastern portions of the United States. They are found in pine flatwoods hardwood hammocks, prairies, cultivated fields, and suburban areas...
- Salt Marsh Snake
- Green Water SnakeGreen Water SnakeThe green water snake is a common species of nonvenomous snake found in the southeastern United States.-Description:This species differs from all other North American water snakes by having one or more small scales under the eye, giving the appearance of a ring of small plates around the eye....
- Brown Water SnakeBrown Water SnakeThe brown water snake is a large species of Natricine snake found in the southeast United States.Lycodonomorphus rufulus is sometimes also called the brown water snake, but L...
- Banded Water Snake
- Midland Water Snake
- Plainbelly Water Snake
- Coachwhip
- Ringneck Snake
- Eastern Indigo Snake
- Eastern Hognose SnakeEastern Hognose SnakeThe Eastern Hognose Snake is a harmless colubrid species found in North America. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Southern Hognose Snake
VipersViperidaeThe 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...
- CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusAgkistrodon piscivorus is a venomous snake, a species of pit viper, found in the southeastern United States. Adults are large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. When antagonized they will stand their ground by coiling their bodies and displaying their fangs...
- Southern Copperhead
- Pygmy Rattlesnake
- Timber Rattlesnake
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Squamates (suborder Amphisbaenidae)AmphisbaenidaeThe Amphisbaenidae are a family of amphisbaenians, commonly known as worm lizards. They are found in North and South America, some Caribbean islands, and in sub-Saharan Africa...
This is the smallest and least known squamate suborder. It contains the wormlike amphisbaenids. Florida has one species.Sources
Reptile DatabaseFlorida Herpetology Center