A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

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Reptiles and Amphibians of the California Deserts

(Under Construction)

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Distribution of California Deserts Covered Here

Snakes

Lizards

Turtles

Frogs & Toads)

Salamanders

These are the native and well-established non-native reptiles and amphibians (herps) that inhabit the deserts of California.
There are three main deserts in the state, the Great Basin Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Sonoran Desert. (A fourth desert, the San Joaquin Desert, in much of the San Joaquin Valley, is sometimes recognized, but not here.) Because some herp species are found in all three deserts, the deserts are treated as one area here, but keep in mind that not every reptile and amphibian on this list will be found in the entire range of all of the deserts. Check the individual range maps below to see where an animal you are trying to identify can be found. That helps a lot because reptiles and amphibians can not stray far out of their documented range.

First, determine if the herp you are interested in learning more about is a snake, a lizard, a turtle, a frog, or a salamander. Then click on the corresponding link for the classification. After that, take a look at the picture gallery. If you think you see the herp you want to identify, click on the link to go to its home page. You can also scroll down for a more in-depth look at each herp, with more pictures, a brief description of behavior and habitat, and range maps.


Sonoran Desert riparian canyon	Mojave Desert Joshua tree flats	Great Basin Desert mountains spring

Mojave Desert lava field	Sonoran Desert sand dunes	Sonoran desert

Great Basin Desert sagebrush flat	Mojave Desert flats, Owens Valley	Sonoran Desert mountains

Snakes

To make them easier to identify, California's desert snakes have been divided into categories based of their overall appearance - banded, striped, patternless, patterned, and rattlesnakes. The main activity period of each snake is also listed - nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular. Some species are nocturnal in the heat of summer and diurnal in the winter and many can also be crepuscular, but for the most part these designations can be helpful in identifying a snake.

Banded Snakes Snakes with well-defined bands (or rings) around the back and sides of the body (not just the tail or the neck.)

Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake Chionactis annulata annulata (nocturnal)		Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake Chionactis occipitalis (nocturnal)

California Kingsnake Lampropeltis californiae (diurnal & nocturnal)	Long-nosed Snake Rhinocheilus lecontei (nocturnal)		Variable Groundsnake Sonora semiannulata semiannulata (nocturnal)
Striped Snakes Snakes with stripes on the body from head to tail.

Rosy Boa Lichanura orcutti (nocturnal & crepuscular)	Desert Striped Whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus (diurnal)	Desert Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis (diurnal)	Mohave Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepis mojavensis (diurnal)

Two-striped Gartersnake Thamnophis hammondii (diurnal)		Marcy's Checkered Gartersnake Thamnophis marcianus marcianus (nocturnal)	Variable Groundsnake Sonora semiannulata semiannulata (nocturnal)
Patternless Snakes Snakes without any large markings on the backs and sides (though there may be markings on the head, neck, and undersides.)

Regal Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus regalis (nocturnal)	Western Black-headed Snake Tantilla planiceps (nocturnal)		Smith's Black-headed Snake Tantilla hobartsmithi (nocturnal)

Desert Threadsnake Rena humilis cahuilae (nocturnal)	Southwestern Threadsnake Rena humilis humilis (nocturnal)	Brahminy Blindsnake Indotyphlops braminus (nocturnal)

Baja California Ratsnake Bogertophis rosaliae (nocturnal & crepuscular)
Patterned Snakes Snakes with a markings on the back and sides that are not bands or stripes. Sometimes the markings might look like they circle the body like bands, but they are not as well-defined as the bands on banded snakes.

Desert Glossy Snake Arizona elegans eburnata (nocturnal)	Mohave Glossy Snake Arizona elegans candida (nocturnal)	Red Coachwhip (Red Racer) Masticophis flagellum piceus (diurnal)

Desert Nightsnake Hypsiglena chlorophaea deserticola (nocturnal)	Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus (nocturnal)	Sonoran Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer affinis (nocturnal & diurnal)	Great Basin Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer deserticola (nocturnal & diurnal)

Sonoran Lyresnake Trimorphodon lambda (nocturnal)	California Lyresnake Trimorphodon lyrophanes (nocturnal)		Southern Watersnake Nerodia fasciata (diurnal)
Rattlesnakes Patterned Snakes with markings on the back and sides and a rattle on the end of the tail.

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox (nocturnal & diurnal)	Mohave Desert Sidewinder Crotalus cerastes cerastes (nocturnal & diurnal)	Colorado Desert Sidewinder Crotalus cerastes laterorepens (nocturnal & diurnal)	Southern Pacific Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus helleri (nocturnal & diurnal)

Great Basin Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus lutosus (nocturnal & diurnal)	Red Diamond Rattlesnake Crotalus ruber (nocturnal & diurnal)	Northern Mohave Rattlesnake Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (nocturnal & diurnal)

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake Crotalus pyrrhus (nocturnal & diurnal)		Panamint Rattlesnake Crotalus stephensi (nocturnal & diurnal)

Banded Snakes

Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake
Chionactis annulata annulata

Not Dangerous to Humans

Dark Blue: Range of Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake

Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake
Chionactis occipitalis

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake

California Kingsnake
Lampropeltis californiae

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of California Kingsnake

Videos

Adults are typically 3 to 4 ft. long.

A large, thick bodied, slow-moving snake with a head slightly wider than the neck and smooth scales.

Black or brown with light bands circling the body. Striped and banded/striped forms also occur. This snake is highly variable in appearance, especially near the coast. The underside is light in color. The dark bands continue around onto the underside.

Diurnal and Nocturnal.

Common.

Found in a wide range of habitats:
forest, woodland, chaparral, grassland, wetlands, agricultural land, deserts, brushy suburban areas, from sea level to mountains.

Eats small mammals, lizards, snakes (including rattlesnakes) eggs, frogs, birds, and large invertebrates.

Females lay eggs May to August.

Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei

Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Red: Range of Long-nosed Snake

Adults are typically 16 to 30 inches long. Hatchlings are 7 to 11 inches long.

A slender snake with smooth scales, only a faint neck and a head with a long pointed snout.

Color is white with red and black saddles that do not entirely circle the body. Some snakes lack red coloring.

Nocturnal and crepuscular but occasionally seen active in daylight.

Uncommon in our area. More common in the deserts.

Found in semi-arid grasslands, shrublands, and prairies.

Eats mostly lizards and their eggs plus small snakes, small mammals, birds, and insects.

Females lay eggs from June to August.

Variable Groundsnake
Sonora semiannulata semiannulata

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Variable Groundsnake

Striped Snakes

Rosy Boa
Lichanura orcutti

Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Red: Range of Rosy Boa

Adults are typically 2 to 3 feet long. Hatchlings are 10 - 14 inches long.

A slow-moving heavy-bodied snake with small shiny scales and a blunt tail. The head is barely wider than the neck.

Color is grayish or brownish with irregular dark brown, reddish, or orange lengthwise stripes. Some snakes in southern San Diego County lack the stripes and are a nearly solid rusty or purplish color.

Mostly nocturnal and crepuscular.

Common, but secretive.

Found in arid and semi-arid scrublands, rocky shrublands, and other rocky areas, especially where near water.

Eats small rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, and amphibians.

Young are born live from October to November.

Desert Striped Whipsnake
Coluber taeniatus taeniatus

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Desert Striped Whipsnake

Desert Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis

Not Dangerous to Humans

Video

Red: Range of Desert Patch-nosed Snake

Adults are typically 2 - 3 feet long.

A slender, fast-moving snake with large eyes and smooth scales.

Gray or brown with a broad pale stripe down the middle of the back and a pale underside. No stripes on the sides.

Diurnal.

Conspicuous, but uncommon.

Found in semi-arid brushy areas and chaparral.

Eats mostly lizards plus small mammals, birds and amphibians.

Lays eggs probably May to August which hatch in late summer and fall.

Mohave Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis mojavensis

Not Dangerous to Humans

Video

Purple: Range of Mohave Patch-nosed Snake

Diurnal.

Conspicuous, but uncommon.

Found in semi-arid brushy areas and chaparral.

Eats mostly lizards plus small mammals, birds and amphibians.

Lays eggs probably May to August which hatch in late summer and fall.

Two-striped Gartersnake
Thamnophis hammondii

Not Dangerous to Humans

Marcy's Checkered Gartersnake
Thamnophis marcianus marcianus

Not Dangerous to Humans

Patternless Snakes

Regal Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus regalis

Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Black: Range of Regal Ring-necked Snake

Adults grow up to 34 inches long.

A small thin snake with smooth scales.

Color is gray, dark olive, or black with a narrow orange band around the neck. The underside is bright yellow or orange or peckled with black markings. This underside is often displayed in a coil when a snake is feeling threatened.

Diurnal and nocturnal.

Common but secretive and rarely seen crawling.

Found in moist habitats including wet meadows, rocky hillsides, gardens, farmlands, grassland, chaparral, mixed coniferous forest and woodlands.

Eats small salamanders, tadpoles, frogs, snakes, lizards, worms, slugs, and insects.

Females lay eggs in the summer which hatch mostly in the fall.

Found in the souther part of our area, mostly in San Diego County.

Western Black-headed Snake
Tantilla planiceps

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Western Black-headed Snake

This species barely enters the deserts at the eastern edge of the Peninsular Mountain Range in San Diego and Imperial Counties and in the northern Coachella Valley.

Smith's Black-headed Snake
Tantilla hobartsmithi

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Smith's Black-headed Snake

Desert Threadsnake
Rena humilis cahuilae

Not Dangerous to Humans

Video

Orange: Range of Desert Threadsnake

Adults are 7 to 16 inches long. Young are 4 to 5 inches long.

A very thin small snake with a blunt head and blunt tail and nonfunctional eyes that are just dark spots. Resembles a large worm.

Coloring is brown, purple, or pink.

Nocturnal.

Common but secretive and rarely seen.

Found in areas with soil that is suitable for burrowing, including brushy slopes, rocky hillsides, washes, and beach sand.

Eats ants and termites and their larvae and pupae.

Females lay eggs in Summer.

Southwestern Threadsnake
Rena humilis humilis

Not Dangerous to Humans

Video

Red: Range of Southwestern Threadsnake

Nocturnal.

Common but secretive and rarely seen.

Found in areas with soil that is suitable for burrowing, including brushy slopes, rocky hillsides, washes, and beach sand.

Eats ants and termites and their larvae and pupae.

Females lay eggs in Summer.

Brahminy Blindsnake
Indotyphlops braminus

Not Native to California

Not Dangerous to Humans

Video

Brahminy Blindsnake California Range Map

Red: Current likely range,
including Sonoran Desert populations in the Coachella Valley

Adults are typically 2.5 to 7 inches long.

Very similar to the native Southwestern Threadsnake but typically darker in color.

A very thin small snake with a blunt head and blunt tail and nonfunctional eyes that are just dark spots. Resembles a large worm.

Nocturnal.

Common but secretive and rarely seen. Usually seen hiding under surface objects such as rocks and boards.

Found in areas with soil that is suitable for burrowing, including brushy slopes, rocky hillsides, washes, and beach sand.

Has spread around the world, most likely through snakes or eggs that are hiding or deposited in the pots and soil of imported commercial plants.

Lays eggs, but all snakes are females and do not need to find a male in order to breed.

Not a native snake. Documented in Chula Vista with other southern California locations probable.

Baja California Ratsnake
Bogertophis rosaliae

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Baja Caiifornia Ratsnake

Adult, © William Flaxington

Adult, © Dick Bartlett

Juvenile, © Dick Bartlett

Adult, © Jason Jones

Adult, © Patrick Briggs

Patterned Snakes

Desert Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans eburnata

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Desert Glossy Snake

Adults are typically 3 to 4 feet long.

A thick slow-moving snake with smooth glossy scales.

Tan or light brown with dark blotches and a pale underside.

Nocturnal.

Uncommon in our area.

Found in open areas including arid scrub, grasslands, chaparral, and rocky washes.

Eats mostly lizards, plus small snakes, birds, and mammals.

Females lay eggs in June and July which hatch in late summer, early fall.

Mohave Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans candida

Not Dangerous to Humans

Purple: Range of Mohave Glossy Snake

Red Racer (or Red Coachwhip)
Coluber flagellum piceus

Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Red: Range of Red Racer

Adults are 3 to 8 feet in length.

A long slender, fast-moving snake with a large head and eyes and large rough scales.

Variable in appearance: brown, tan, or reddish, with black on the head, the neck, and the front part of the body, and light color giving it a banded pattern.

Diurnal.

Common and conspicuous.

Found in open areas of grassland, chaparral, scrubland where vegetation is not dense.

Eats small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, and amphibians.

Females lay eggs in early summer. Eggs hatch in late summer and fall.

Northern Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea deserticola

Not Dangerous to Humans

Video
of similar subspecies

Red: Range of Northern Desert Nightsnake

Most adults are about a foot long, rarely over 16 inches. Hatchlings are abpit 7 inches long.

A small slender snake with a narrow head and smooth scales.

Light gray, light brown, beige, tan, or cream in color with dark brown or gray blotches on the backs and sides and a dark band on the neck and another through the eyes.

Nocturnal.

Secretive and not often seen.

Found in a variety of habitats, including chaparral, suburban lots and gardens, meadows and grassland, from sea level into the mountains.

Eats mostly lizards and their eggs, plus small snakes, amphibians, and other small vertebrates.

Females lay eggs from April to September.

Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red: Range of Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake

Sonoran Gophersnake
Pituophis catenifer affinis

Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Purple: Range of Sonoran Gophersnake

Adults are typically 4 to 5 ft. long.
Hatchlings are around 15 inches long.

A large, thick bodied, slow-moving snake with a head slightly wider than the neck and large rough scales.

Brown or tan with dark markings on the back and often reddish coloring.

Diurnal. Nocturnal on hot nights.

Found in many habitats - grassland, chaparral, agricultural, riparian, woodlands, desert, from sea level to the mountains.

Eats mostly small mammals, birds, eggs.

Females lay eggs June to August. Young hatch August to October.

Often confused with rattlesnakes, but the tail is long and thin with no rattle.
See here.

Great Basin Gophersnake
Pituophis catenifer deserticola

Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Dark Blue and Gray: Range of Great Basin Gophersnake

Diurnal. Nocturnal on hot nights.

Found in many habitats - grassland, chaparral, agricultural, riparian, woodlands, desert, from sea level to the mountains.

Eats mostly small mammals, birds, eggs.

Females lay eggs June to August. Young hatch August to October.

Often confused with rattlesnakes, but the tail is long and thin with no rattle.
See here.

Sonoran Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lambda

Mildly Venomous But Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Orange: Range of Sonoran Lyresnake

Adults are typically 2 to 3 feet long.

A slender snake with a large broad head and a slim neck, and large eyes.

Color is typically gray or light brown, with dark blotches that have a light crossbar in their middle.

Nocturnal.

Common, but secretive.

Typically found in rocky locations in scrub, grassland, chaparral, oak woodland.

Eats mostly lizards, plus small mammals, nestling birds, and snakes.

California Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes

Mildly Venomous But Not Dangerous to Humans

Videos

Red: Range of California Lyresnake

Nocturnal.

Common, but secretive.

Typically found in rocky locations in scrub, grassland, chaparral, oak woodland.

Eats mostly lizards, plus small mammals, nestling birds, and snakes.

Southern Watersnake
Nerodia fasciata

Not Native to California

It is unlawful to import, transport, or possess any Watersnakes of the genus Nerodia in
California except under permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
(California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Excerpts, Section 671)

The California Watersnakes Site reports on news, publications, and
sightings related to non-native watersnake species (Nerodia) in California.

If you see a watersnake in the wild in California at a location not mentioned on the
California Watersnakes Site, please report it to California Nerodia Watch at iNaturalist.

(Don't confuse Watersnakes (Nerodia) with native California gartersnakes. Most gartersnakes
have stripes on the sides and sometimes on the back. Watersnakes have no stripes.)

Not Dangerous to Humans

Red Dots: Locations where Southern Watersnakes
have been found so far in California

Adults are typically 22 to 40 inches long.

A heavy-bodied snake with large keeled scales.

Color is yellowish to reddish-gray with many dark crossbands. Juveniles are paler with a stronger pattern. Very old snakes may be almost entirely dark.

Diurnal and Nocturnal.

Uncommon.

Found in and around permanent bodies of water, especially those bordered by woods.

Eats fish, frogs, salamanders, and crayfish.

Young are born live.

So far, known to be established in one desert location at the Colorado River in Imperial County.

Rattlesnakes

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Red: Range of Western Diaond-backed Rattlesnake

Mohave Desert Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes cerastes

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Red: Range of Mohave Desert Sidewinder

Colorado Desert Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes laterorepens

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Orange: Range of Colorado Desert Sidewinder

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus helleri

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Dark Blue: Range of Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

Videos

Adults are typically 3 to 4 feet long.

A heavy-bodied snake with a large triangular head and thin neck, and large keeled scales, and a tail tipped with a rattle that is shaken to produce a loud sound when the snake is feeling threatened. Young snakes have no rattle and cannot make a sound.

Color is brown, olive, or black, with dark brown blotches outlined by light pigment on the back, and dark bars on the tail.

Nocturnal and crepuscular in hot temperatures, and also diurnal during moderate temperatures.

Common and conspicuous.

Found in many habitats, including seaside dunes, scrub, grasslands, rocky hillsides, chaparral, open woodlands, and agricultural fields.

Eats small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, and frogs.

Young are born live from August to October.

Great Basin Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus lutosus

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Orange: Range of Great Basin Rattlesnake

Videos

Eats small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, and frogs.

Young are born live from August to October.

Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Videos

Red: Range of Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Adults are typically 2 to 4.5 feet long. Young are about 12 inches long.

A heavy-bodied snake with a large triangular head and thin neck, and large keeled scales, and a tail tipped with a rattle that is shaken to produce a loud sound when the snake is feeling threatened. Young snakes have no rattle and cannot make a sound.

Color is brown, tan or reddish, with dark diamond-shaped blotches on the back. The tail is circled with black and white rings.

Nocturnal and crepuscular, but diurnal in shaded areas and when the temperature is moderate.

Common and conspicuous.

Found in arid scrub, chaparral, oak and pine woodlands, rocky grassland, and cultivated areas.

Eats small mammals, lizards, and birds.

Young are born live from July to September.

Northern Mohave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Red: Range of Northern Mohave Rattlesnake

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Videos

Red: Range of Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

Adults are typically 2 - 4 feet long. Young are 9 or 10 inches long.

A heavy-bodied snake with a large triangular head and thin neck, and large keeled scales, and a tail tipped with a rattle that is shaken to produce a loud sound when the snake is feeling threatened. Young snakes have no rattle and cannot make a sound.

Color varies widely to match the environment, from off-white, yellow, gray, tan, pink, orangish, to brown. A vague pattern of dark speckled banded markings cover the body. The tail is circled with dark and light rings.

Nocturnal and crepuscular during hot periods and diurnal during moderate temperatures.

Fairly common in the right habitat.

Typically found in dry rocky areas vegetated with sagebrush, thronscrub, chaparral, and pinon-juniper woodland up to about 8,000 ft. in the mountains.

Eats small mammals, lizards, and birds.

Young are born live in July and August.

Panamint Rattlesnake
Crotalus stephensi

Venomous and Potentially Very Dangerous

Videos

Orange: Range of Panamint Rattlesnake

Eats small mammals, lizards, and birds.

Young are born live in July and August.

Lizards

Most lizards in the California deserts are active during warm and sunny weather, typically from late February through October, and remain underground at other times.They become active later at higher elevations, and go underground sooner. They are most often seen during daylight sunning themselves on rocks, branches, fences, or walls, or running on the ground.


Adult	Juvenile © Jay Keller
Woodland Alligator Lizard (San Diego Alligator Lizard) Elgaria multicarinata webbii		Panamint Alligator Lizard Elgaria panamintina	Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Gambelia wislizenii

		© William Flaxington
San Diegan Legless Lizard Anniella stebbinsi	Northern Legless Lizard Anniella pulchra	Big Spring Legless Lizard Anniella campi	Great Basin Collared Lizard Crotaphytus bicinctores

	Adult	Hatchling © Jeff Nordland
Baja California Collared Lizard Crotaphytus vestigium	Peninsula Banded Gecko Coleonyx switaki		Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko Phyllodactylus nocticolus

		© Stuart Young	Juvenile
Desert Banded Gecko - Coleonyx variegatus variegatus

		Adult © Adam Clause	Juvenile © Jeremiah Easter
Banded Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum cinctum	Northern Desert Iguana Dipsosaurus dorsalis dorsalis	Common Chuckwalla Sauromalus ater

Western Zebra-tailed Lizard Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus	Mearns's Rock Lizard Petrosaurus mearnsi mearnsi	Southern Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum	Northern Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos

Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Phrynosoma mcallii	Northern Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus graciosus graciosus	Desert Spiny Lizard Sceloporus magister	Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard Sceloporus uniformis

Female	Male
Granite Spiny Lizard Sceloporus orcutti		Great Basin Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis longipes	Small-scaled Lizard Urosaurus microscutatus

Coachella Fringe-toed Lizard Uma inornata	Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard Uma notata	Mohave Fringe-toed Lizard Uma scoparia	Western Long-tailed Brush Lizard Urosaurus graciosus graciosus

Colorado River Tree Lizard Urosaurus ornatus symmetricus	Western Side-blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana elegans	Nevada Side-blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana nevadensis	Great Basin Whiptail Aspidoscelis tigris tigris

Adult	Juvenile	Blue-tailed Juvenile - Desert Mountains © Jeremiah Easter
Western Red-tailed Skink Plestiodon gilberti rubricaudatus			Skilton's Skink Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus

Dark phase	Light phase
Granite Night Lizard Xantusia henshawi		Sandstone Night Lizard Xantusia gracilis	Desert Night Lizard Xantusia vigilis

Wiggins' Night Lizard Xantusia wigginsi

Non-Native Species

Female	Male	Male Displahing Ornge Dewlap
Brown Anole Anolis sagrei			Mediterranean Gecko Hemidactylus turcicus

© Elliot Jaramillo
Rough-tailed Gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum

Woodland (San Diego) Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata webbii

Video

Dark Blue: Range of Woodland Alligator Lizard

Juvenile © Jay Keller

Adults are about 3 to 7 inches long, not including the tail, and can be up to 16 inches long including the tail.

An elongated lizard with large scales, a large head, short legs, and a fold along the bottoms of the sides. The tail can be very long, but often it is re-grown and stubby.

Brown, grey, or yellowish above, often with orange or red coloring on the middle of the back. Usually there are dark bands on the back, sides, and tail.

Juveniles are long and thin and a copper color with no dark markings on the back. They are sometimes mistaken for a small ground skink (which does not occur in this area.)

Diurnal.

Common.

Found in grassland, open forest, chaparral, oak woodlands. Typically prefers drier areas than the San Francisco Alligator lizard.

Eats a variety of small bugs, slugs, snails, and worms, and sometimes small lizards and mammals and birds and their eggs.

Females lay eggs from May to July which hatch in late summer and early fall.

Typically seen moving on the ground or basking on rocks or fallen branches.

Moves with a snake-like undulating motion.

Panamint Alligator Lizard
Elgaria panamintina

Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii

Legless Lizards
Genus Anniella

Three species of Legless Lizards can be found at the edges of the deserts:
Big Spring Legless Lizard - Anniella campi
Northern Legless Lizard - Anniella pulchra
San Diegan Legless Lizard - Anniella stebbinsi

Video

Red: Northern Legless Lizard
Orange: San Diegan Legless Lizard
Bright Pink: Big Spring Legless Lizard

Adults are about 5 to 7 inches long.

A small slender lizard a shovel-shaped snout, smooth shiny scales, a blunt tail, and no legs. Often thought to be a small snake.

Color varies from metallic silver, beige, dark brown, to black. Usually there is a dark line along the back and several thin stripes on the sides.

Diurnal.

Often common, but secretive - rarely seen.

Found in beach dunes, chaparral, mixed woodlands, sandy washes and stream terraces where there is moist warm loose soil with plant cover.

Eats mostly insect larvae, beetles, termites, and spiders.

Young are born live September to November.

Typically found in suburban gardens under leaf litter or loose soil under shrubs.

Great Basin Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus bicinctores

Baja California Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus vestigium

Peninsula Banded Gecko
Coleonyx switaki

Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko
Phyllodactylus nocticolus

Desert Banded Gecko
Coleonlyx variegatus variegatus

Videos

Red: Range of Desert Banded Gecko

2 to 3 inches long.

A small lizard with eyelids and vertical pupils, and smooth skin.

Pale yellow, pink, or light gray with tan or brown bands on the body and tail.

Diurnal.

Uncommon.

Found in rocky areas in coastal sage and chaparral.

Eats a variety of small invertebrates.

Females lay eggs from May to September which hatch in 45 days.

Typically found underneath rocks or other surface debris.

Banded Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectum cinctum

Northern Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis dorsalis

Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater

Western Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus

Mearns's Rock Lizard
Petrosaurus mearnsi mearnsi

Southern Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum

Northern Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos

Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma mcallii

Northern Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus

Video

Red: Range of Northern Sagebrush Lizard

Adults are about 2 to 3.5 inches long not including the tail.

A small lizard with small keeled scales.

Gray or brown in color with dark blotches or irregular bands on the body and tail and light stripes along the sides and upper sides at the edge of the back. There is usually a bar of black on the shoulder and rusy coloring on the armpits

Males show blue coloring on the throat and sides of the belly. Females develop orange coloring on the throat and sides when they are gravid.

Diurnal.

Common and conspicuous where found.

Found in the transverse and peninsular mountains in shrublands such as chaparral, manzanita and ceanothus, and in open pine and Douglas Fir forests where there are open areas that get a lot of sun.

In our area, found at higher elevations, typically 4,500 ft. and higher.

Eats small bugs including ants, termites, grasshoppers, flies, spiders, and beetles.

Females lay eggs from June to August that hatch in August and September.

Typically seen basking on rocks or fallen branches or running on the ground inbetween rocks.

Recognizing differences between Fence Lizards and Sagebrush Lizards.

Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister

Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus uniformis

Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti

Videos

Red: Range of Granite Spiny Lizard

Adults are about 3 to 5 inches long, not including the tail, and up to 11 inches with the tail.

A large, dark lizard with large pointed scales, a dark wedge of color on the sides of the neck, and dark bands across the body.

Dark rusty coppery brown to black in color. Sometimes lizards appear to be solid black before they have warmed up. Males, when warmed up in the sun, have a vivid blue-green sheen with a wide purple stripe on the back and yellow on the sides.

Diurnal.

Common.

Found in areas with large boulders and granite outcrops or cliffs with mixed vegetation, including chaparral, mesquite, pine and oak, and palms. From near sea level to about 7,000 ft.

Eats small invertebrates, small lizards, and occasionally fruits and flowers.

Females lay eggs from May to July, which hatch from July to October.

Typically seen crawling on large rocks. Very wary and quick to run back into cracks in the rocks when approached.

Great Basin Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis longipes

Orange: Range of Great Basin Fence Lizard

Video

Adults are about 2.5 to 3.5 inches long, not including the tail.

A fairly small lizard with keeled scales.

Brown, gray, or black with dark blotches on the back. Sometimes light markings on the sides of the back form vague stripes.

Recognizing differences between Fence Lizards and Sagebrush Lizards.

Diurnal.

The most common and conspicuous lizard in our area.

Found in many different open, sunny areas, including woodlands, grasslands, chaparral, waterways, pond edges, houses and fences.

Eats small bugs including crickets, spiders, ticks, scorpions, and even tiny lizards.

Females lay eggs that hatch July to September, when very tiny lizards can be seen running around.

Typically seen basking in the sun on rocks, fences, walls, and fallen branches.

Small-scaled Lizard
Urosaurus microscutatus

Coachella Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma inornata

Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma notata

Mohave Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma scoparia

Western Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus graciosus

Colorado River Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus symmetricus

Western Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana elegans

Red: Range of Western Side-blotched Lizard

Video

Adults are 1.5 to 2.5 inches long, not including the tail. A small lizard with smooth scales and a large dark marking, or blotch, on the sides, just behind the front limbs, which is not easily seen at a distance.

Brown, black, gray, or yellowish in color with dark blotches, spots, and sometimes stripes, on the back. Sometimes there is a double row of dark wedge-shaped markings on the back, edged with white. Males have blue speckles on the back and can be very colorful.

Diurnal.

Common and conspicuous.

Found in open rocky areas with scattered vegetation, including sandy washes, vegetated with chaparral, scattered trees, grass, and shrubs.

Eats small bugs including beetles, grasshoppers, ants, spiders, scorpions, and ticks.

Females lay eggs from March to August which hatch from June to September.

Typically seen basking on rocks or fallen branches or running on the ground inbetween rocks.

Nevada Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana nevadensis

Dark Blue: Range of Nevada Side-blotched Lizard

Video

Diurnal.

Common and conspicuous.

Found in open rocky areas with scattered vegetation, including sandy washes, vegetated with chaparral, scattered trees, grass, and shrubs.

Great Basin Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris tigris

Video

Red: Range of Great Basin Whiptail

Adults are about 3 to 5 inches long, not including the tail.

A long slim lizard with a long thin tail, a thin snout, and large plates on the head.

The back and sides are grey, tan, or brown, marked with dark spots or bars or mottling, which is often very sharply defined. Dark marks on the side don't form vertical bars. Usually 8 poorly-defined light brown stripes are present, but stripes on the side are less well-defined. The throat is pale with with large black spots. Juveniles have distinct stripes and bright blue tails.

Diurnal.

Common and conspicuous, but not found in most of our area.

Found in hot, dry, open areas with sparse vegetation, including woodland, chaparral, and riparian areas.

Eats small bugs including spiders, scorpions, centipedes, and termites. Also known to eat small lizards.

Females lay eggs from April to August.

Very active, moving quickly on the ground with abrupt starts and stops.

Western Red-tailed Skink
Plestiodon gilberti rubricaudatus

Video

Red: Range of Western Red-tailed Skink

Adults are 2.5 to 4.5 inches long, not including the tail, and up to about 13 inches long including the tail.

A large lizard with a heavy body, small head and thick neck, small legs, and smooth shiny scales.

Olive or brown in color with some dark markings on the back that begin as dark stripes and fade with age. Young skinks have distinct light and dark stripes and a reddish or pink tail.

Males develop red coloring on the throat during the breeding sason.

Diurnal.

Secretive and not commonly seen moving around.

Found in grassland, chaparral, woodlands, and pine forests, typically where there is moisture nearby.

Eats small bugs.

Females lay eggs in the summer.

Rarely seen moving on the ground. Typically found underneath rocks or other surface debris.

Typically found underneath rocks, logs, and other surface debris.

Skilton's Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus

Video

Red: Range of Skilton's Skink

Adults are about 2 - 3 inches long, not including the tail. Typically 7.5 inches long with the tail.

A small lizard with a slim body, a small head with a thick neck, small legs, and smooth shiny scales.

Dark brown on the head and back with two light stripes on the edge of the back, dark stripes down the sides, and light strips on the edge of the belly. Juveniles have a bright blue tail that fades as they age. Old adults often have no blue on the tail. Adults develop red or orange coloring on the head and throat during the breeding season.

Diurnal.

Common but secretive and not often seen moving around.

Found in grassland, woodlands, forests, sagebrush, chaparral, especially in rocky areas near streams and open sunny areas.

Sometimes, when this lizard moves quickly through leaf litter or short grass, only the blue tail is seen, and this is often mistaken to be a small blue snake.

Eats small bugs, including spiders and sow bugs.

Females lay eggs in June and July which hatch in July and August.

Found in the Northern part of coastal Southern California, mostly north of San Diego County.

Typically found underneath rocks, logs, and other surface debris.

Granite Night Lizard
Xantusia henshawi

Videos

Red: Range of Granite Night Lizard

2 to 2.75 inches long not including the tail.

A small lizard with a flattened body and head, smooth skin, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, a long thin tail.

Seen in a light phase - white or yellowsh with large dark brown spots on the upper body, and a dark phase - dark brown with a pale white or yellow network on the upper body.

Nocturnal, but may be active diurnally in shade.

Found in rocky canyons and hillsides in semiarid regions, typically with massive boulders and rock outcrops with expfoliated granite in the shadier parts of canyons.

Eats small invertebrates, including spiders, scorpions, beetles, ants, and centipedes.

Young are born live in the fall.

Typically seen underneath rocks, in cracks in rock outcrops, or on the surface of rocks at night. Sometimes seen on walls at night in areas near large rock outcrops.

Sandstone Night Lizard
Xantusia gracilis

Desert Night Lizard
Xantusia vigilis

Wiggins' Night Lizard
Xantusia wigginsi

Non-Native Lizards Established in California

Mediterranean Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus

Not Native to California

Video

This lizard continues to expand its range in California.
Red coloring on the map indicate some of the areas where it has been found and could be established.

Gecko in light phase

Same gecko in dark phase

1.75 to about 2.5 inches long, not including the tail. 4 to 5 inches long with the tail.

A small, slightly flattened lizard with conspicuous large bumpy tubercles on the skin and large eyes with vertical pupils.

Two color phases. Light phase is pale pinkish white with dark blotching and spotting sometimes forming indistinct bands. Dark phase is dark brown or gray with darker markings and bands. The tail is ringed with dark and light bands.

Nocturnal.

Native to the Mediterranean region.
Has become increasingly common in southern California since the year 2000.Typically spread from place to place in shipments of goods and lumber.

Found living in or near human dwellings, but probably also found in surrounding habitats. Recorded from many locations in Southern California, but probably established in many more areas, and spreading.

Eats a variety of small invertebrates.

Females lay eggs from April to August.

Typically seen on the outside wall of a building at night under a light, where they catch flying insects. May also be seen on walls indoors.

Rough-tailed Gecko
Cyrtopodion scabrum

Peninsular Banded Gecko California Range Map

Brown Anole
Anolis sagrei

Not Native to California

Videos

This lizard continues to expand its range in California.
Red coloring indicates some of the areas where the Brown Anole has been found and could be established.

A small thin lizard with a long head and snout and a long thin tail.

About 2.5 inches long, not including the tail. Up to 8 inches long with the tail.

This lizard varies in appearance. Sometimes there is a crooked white stripe down the middle of the back or other dark pattern, but the ground color is always some shade of brown or tan. This lizard is never green.

Males are territorial and often extend an orange-red dewlap from the throat.

Diurnal.

Native to Cuba.

Not native to California. Known to hitchhike in shipments of exotic plants from Florida. Released or escaped pets are another possible source of their spread.

Found living in plants often in yards and gardens. Currently recorded from a few locations in Southern California, but probably established in more areas, and spreading.

Eats a variety of small invertebrates.

Comparison with Green Anole

Brown Anoles are less arboreal than Green Anoles, tending to stay closer to the ground.
Green Anoles tend to go higher up into trees, although they can also be found lower down.

Brown Anoles are always gray, light brown, or dark brown, never green.
Green Anoles can turn from dark brown to bright green.

Male Brown Anoles have a bright orange-red dewlap with a cream to yellow border.
Male Green Anoles have a pink dewlap.
(Be aware that dewlaps appear different colors when seen in different lights.)

Brown and Green Anoles are about the same size, but Green Anoles have a larger and longer head.

Turtles


Southwestern Pond Turtle Actinemys pallida	Mohave Desert Tortoise Gopherus agassizii	Desert Mud Turtle Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense
Non-Native Turtles Established in California

	Texas Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera emoryi

Southwestern Pond Turtle
Actinemys pallida

Video

Orange: Range of Southwestern Pond Turtle

The shell is typically 3.5 to 8.5 inches long. Hatchlings are abut 1 inch long.

A dark brown, olive, or black turtle with a low unkeeled shell, usually with a pattern of lines or spots radiating from the centers of the scutes. The head and neck are light in color with dark mottling.

Diurnal.

Maybe be common in some areas, but declining.

Found in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, marshes, and irrigation ditches with abundant vegetation in a variety of areas including wooland, forest, grassland, and parks.

Rarely seen away from water. Often seen basking just above the water

Eats aquatic plants, bugs, worms, frog eggs and tadpoles, salamander eggs and larvae, crayfish, carrion, and occasionally frogs and fish.

Females crawl onto land and lay eggs between April and August.

Mohave Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii

Desert Mud Turtle
Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense

Non-Native Turtles Established in California

Texas Spiny Softshell
Apalone spinifera emoryi

Not Native to California

Red: Range of Texas Spiny Softshell

The shell is 5 to 21 inches long.

A flat turtle with a rounded, leathery shell without visible scutes and a long snout with open nostrils on the end.

The shell is olive, brown, or gray in color, sometimes with dark markings that fade with age. The head and limbs are olive to gray with dark markings and two light stripes mark each side of the head.

Diurnal.

Uncommon and not native to our area.

Found in permanent rivers, agricultural canals, drainage ditches, artificial lakes, and ponds.

Eats insects, crayfish, worms, snails, fish, frogs, and tadpoles.

Females crawl onto land and lay eggs between May and August that hatch between August and September.

Frogs and Toads

Frogs and toads in coastal Southern California can be active most of the year, except during very hot and very cold weather. However, even during hot and dry weather, some species can be seen floating in water.


California Toad Anaxyrus boreas halophilus	Great Plains Toad Anaxyrus cognatus	Black Toad Anaxyrus exsul	Arizona Toad Anaxyrus microscaphus

Red-spotted Toad Anaxyrus punctatus	Rocky Mountain Toad Anaxyrus woodhousii woodhousii	Sonoran Desert Toad Incilius alvarius	Lowland Leopard Frog Lithobates yavapaiensis

		several color phases
Northern Leopard Frog - Lithobates pipiens (There are native and introduced populations of this species.)		Baja California Treefrog Pseudacris hypochondriaca hypochondriaca

	male	female
California Treefrog Pseudacris cadaverina	Couch's Spadefoot Scaphiopus couchii		Great Basin Spadefoot Spea intermontana
Non-native Frogs Established in California

Rio Grande Leopard Frog LIthobates berlandieri	American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus

California Toad
Anaxyrus boreas halophilus

Call

Video

Range shown in Red and Gray

Adults are 2 to 5 inches long.

A large squat toad with dry warty skin.

Color is greenish, tan, reddish brown, gray, or yellowish with irregular dark blotches and a light-colored stripe down the middle of the back. Warts on the back are often on dark blotches.

Diurnal in cool weather, Nocturnal in hotter weather.

Common where found but less common in urbanized areas.

Found in a varitey of areas including marshes, springs, creeks, ponds, small lakes in woodland, forest, and grassland.

The only species of toad found in our area.

Eats a wide variety of invertebrates.

Females lay eggs in water some time between January and July, depending on the location, rainfall, and snowmelt. Eggs hatch into tadpoles in about a week or two. Tadpoles live in the water then transform into tiny toads and move onto land in about 1 to 1.5 months.

Active mostly late Winter through Fall except during extreme cold and extreme heat when it stays in moist shelters.

Great Plains Toad
Anaxyrus cognatus

Black Toad
Anaxyrus exsul

Arizona Toad
Anaxyrus microscaphus

Red-spotted Toad
Anaxyrus punctatus

Rocky Mountain Toad
Anaxyrus woodhousii woodhousii

Sonoran Desert Toad
Incilius alvarius

Lowland Leopard Frog
Lithobates yavapaiensis

Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates pipiens
(There are native and introduced populations of this species.)

Baja California Treefrog
Pseudacris hypochondriaca hypochondriaca

Call

Video

Red: Range of Baja California Treefrog
Orange: Range of Sierran Treefrog

Adult frogs are 3/4 to 2 inches long.

A small frog with smooth skin, a large head and eyes, round pads on the toe tips, and a wide dark stripe through the middle of each eye.

Various colors and patterns.
Most frogs are green or brown in color overlaid with irregular dark markings, but some frogs are, gray, reddish, or cream in color.

Diurnal and Nocturnal.

The most commonly seen frog in our area.

Found almost anywhere there is water for breeding, including forest, woodland, chaparral, grassland, pastures, streams, and urban areas.

Eats a wide variety of invertebrates, including flying insects.

Females lay eggs in water some time between November and July. Eggs hatch into tadpoles in 2 to 3 weeks. The tadpoles live in water then transform into tiny frogs and move onto land 2 to 2.5 months later.

Active most of the year except during extreme cold and extreme heat when it stays in moist shelters.

Sierran Treefrog
Pseudacris sierrae

Red: Range of Baja California Treefrog
Orange: Range of Sierran Treefrog

California Treefrog
Pseudacris cadaverina

Call

Video

Red: Range of California Treefrog

Adults are 1 to 2 inches long.

A small treefrog with rough skin and large pads on the toes.

Gray or brown with dark blotches. No dark stripe through the eye.

Diurnal and Nocturnal.

Common where it occurs in rocky creeks.Often heard calling at night between February and October.

Found in rocky streams in canyons, and washes with permanent quiet pools from sea level to 7,500 ft.

Eats insects, spiders, centipedes and other invertebrates.

Females lay eggs in water between February and October. Tadpoles live in water for 40 to 75 days then transform into tiny frogs and move onto land.

Couch's Spadefoot
Scaphiopus couchii

Great Basin Spadefoot
Spea intermontana

Non-native Frogs Established in California

Rio Grande Leopard Frog
LIthobates berlandieri

American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus

Not Native to California

Call

Video

Red: Range of American Bullfrog

Adults are 3.5 to 8 inches long. The largest frog found in our area.

A large frog with smooth skin and no lines on the sides of the back, and conspicuous eardrums.

Light green to dark olive green in color with irregular dark spots and blotches. Juveniles have many small dark spots.

Diurnal and Nocturnal.

Common, but not native to our area.

Found in permanent water - lakes, ponds, sloughs, reservoirs, marshes, slow rivers, irrigation canals, cattle tanks, and slow creeks, in almost any habitat which is open and sunny, including grassland, farmland, prairies, woodland, forests, and chaparral.

Eats anything it can swallow, including invertebrates, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

Females lay eggs in water typically between May and August. Eggs hatch into tadpoles 3 to 5 days. Tadpoles live in water and grow very large, not turning into small frogs and moving onto land until anytime between a few months and a year to two years.

Mostly active late Winter through Fall.

Salamanders

Most salamanders in coastal Southern California are active on the surface only during the rainy season, typically October or November to May, and remain underground at other times. They are most often seen in moist areas underneath objects on the ground.

Desert Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major aridus

Bright Blue Dot: Range of Desert Slender Salamander

Adults are 1.25 to 2.3 inches long, not including the tail, and typically they're about 4.5 inches including the tail.

A small slim salamander, with relatively short limbs, a long slender body and a long tail, that is sometimes mistaken for a worm.

Pale gray with a reddish color on the back and tail, although some are very dark. The belly is light in color.

Nocturnal.

Common.

Found from the foothills of the Santa Monica, San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and transverse range Mountains to the coast, in a variety of habitats, including coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, mixed woodland, grassy areas, and suburban gardens. Often found in exposed areas that are very hot and dry outside of the rainy season.

Eats a variety of small invertebrates, primarily small arthropods.

Females lay eggs underground from November to January. Young hatch fully formed from January to April.

Non-native Salamanders Established in California

Barred Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma mavortium mavortium

Not Native to California

Video

Some places where Tiger Salamanders have been recorded are shown in Red

Adults are 3 to 6.5 inches long, not including the tail.

A large thick-bodied salamander with small eyes, and a wide, rounded snout.

Greenish yellow with large dark bars across the upper body.

Nocturnal.

Rare and not native to our area.

Adults spend most of their lives underground, but sometimes they are seen walking across roads on rainy nights.

Eats anything they can catch and kill, mostly invertebrates, but lizards, mice, and small snakes are also eaten.

Females migrate to water where they lay eggs after the rains begin. Eggs hatch in 8 to 9 days and the larvae live in the water until they transform into tiny salamanders in 10 or more weeks.

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Reptiles and Amphibians of the California Deserts (Under Construction)

Reptiles and Amphibians of the California Deserts

(Under Construction)