Reptiles

Florida is home to at least 88 native species of reptiles (Class Reptilia). Many nonnative species also have established breeding populations in the state. Reptiles have characteristics intermediate between amphibians and those of mammals and birds. The complete terrestrial existence of reptiles was made possible with the evolution of the amniotic egg as well as an integument of the epidermal scales and improved respiratory, excretory, and circulatory mechanisms. All of the reptiles listed below have been documented to occur in NATL either by formal survey techniques or casual observations.

Class Reptilia

Family ALLIGATORIDAEAlligators and Caimans
AlligatorAlligators
Alligator mississippiensisAmerican Alligator
Family EMYDIDAEBox and Water Turtles
TerrapeneBox Turtles
Terrapene carolina bauriFlorida Box Turtle
Family TESTUDINIDAETortoises
GopherusTortoises
Gopherus polyphemusGopher Tortoise   (more)
Family IGUANIDAEIguanids
AnolisAnoles
Anolis carolinenisGreen Anole   (more)
Anolis sagreiBrown Anole
SceloporusSpiney Lizards
Sceloporus undulatus undulatusSouthern Fence Lizard   (more)
Family SCINCIDAESkinks
EumecesSkinks
Eumeces inexpectatusSoutheastern Five-lined Skink   (more)
Eumeces fasciatusFive-lined Skink   (more)
Eumeces laticepsBroad-headed Skink   (more)
ScincellaGround Skinks
Scincella lateralisGround Skink (more)
Family BOIDAEBoas and Pythons
Boa constrictor Boa Constrictor  (see note 1)
Family COLUBRIDAEColubrid Snakes
ColuberRacers
Coluber constricterBlack Racer
DiadophisRingneck Snakes
Diadophis punctatus punctatusSouthern Ringneck Snake
ElapheRat Snakes
Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittataYellow Rat Snake
NerodiaWater Snakes
Nerodia fasciata pictiventrisFlorida Banded Watersnake
TantillaCrowned Snakes
Tantilla relicta neilliCentral Florida Crowned Snake
ThamnophisGarter and Ribbon Snakes
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalisEastern Garter Snake
Family ELAPIDAECoral Snakes and Cobras
MicrurusCoral Snakes
Micrurus fulvius fulviusEastern Coral Snake
Family VIPERIDAEVipers and Pit Vipers
AgkistrodonCottonmouths, Copperheads
Agkistrodon piscivorus conantiWater Moccasin (see note 2)

Note 1: In October 2003, a large Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor) was found in NATL in grid square H5. It had a rabbit in its stomach and was probably a pet that had been released or escaped.

Note 2: Occurs in central marsh of NATL-east; not known from SEEP.


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