List of reptiles of Colorado facts for kids

The location of the State of Colorado in the United States of America.

Welcome to Colorado! Did you know that this amazing state is home to many different kinds of reptiles? Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, which means their body temperature changes with the temperature around them. In Colorado, you can find many species of lizards, snakes, and turtles living in the wild. This article will tell you about some of these fascinating creatures.

Lizards in Colorado

Lizards are a type of reptile known for their scaly skin and usually four legs. Most lizards have eyelids and ear openings, unlike snakes. They come in many shapes and sizes, from tiny skinks to larger, colorful collared lizards.

Here are some of the lizards you might find in Colorado:

• Common collared lizard: These lizards are known for their bright colors and two black bands around their neck, like a collar!
• Long-nosed leopard lizard: This lizard has a long snout and spots that look a bit like a leopard's.
• Lesser earless lizard: As its name suggests, this small lizard doesn't have visible ear openings.
• Texas horned lizard: This lizard has a flat body and spiky "horns" on its head, which help it blend in with rocky areas.
• Greater short-horned lizard: Similar to the Texas horned lizard, but with shorter horns.
• Roundtail horned lizard: Another horned lizard, but with a rounder tail.
• Sagebrush lizard: These lizards are often found in areas with sagebrush plants.
• Desert spiny lizard: This lizard has rough, spiny scales and lives in desert areas.
• Eastern fence lizard: You might see these lizards on fences or trees, often doing push-ups to show off!
• Ornate tree lizard: These small lizards are good at climbing trees.
• Common side-blotched lizard: These lizards have a dark spot on their side, just behind their front legs.
• Great Plains skink: Skinks have smooth, shiny scales and often look like they're wearing armor.
• Variable skink: This skink can have different patterns.
• Many-lined skink: This skink has several lines running down its body.
• Colorado checkered whiptail: This lizard has a cool checkered pattern.
• Six-lined racerunner: These are very fast lizards with six stripes.
• Common checkered whiptail: Another whiptail with a checkered look.
• Western whiptail: A speedy lizard found in western areas.
• Plateau striped whiptail: This whiptail has stripes and lives on plateaus.

Snakes in Colorado

Snakes are reptiles that don't have legs. They move by slithering on their bellies. Some snakes are venomous, but many are harmless and play an important role in the ecosystem by eating pests. It's always best to observe snakes from a distance and never try to touch them.

Here are some of the snakes you might find in Colorado:

• Great Plains Rat Snake: These snakes are good at climbing and often eat rodents.
• Glossy snake: This snake has smooth, shiny scales.
• Western yellow-bellied racer: A fast snake with a yellow belly.
• Ring-necked snake: This small snake has a bright ring around its neck.
• Western hognose snake: Known for its upturned snout, this snake might play dead when scared.
• Night snake: This snake is active at night.
• Common kingsnake: Kingsnakes are known for eating other snakes, including venomous ones!
• Milk snake: These snakes have colorful bands and are often mistaken for venomous coral snakes, but they are harmless.
• Smooth green snake: A slender, bright green snake that blends in well with grass.
• Coachwhip: A long, fast snake that looks a bit like a braided whip.
• Striped whipsnake: Another fast snake with stripes.
• Northern water snake: These snakes are often found near water, where they hunt fish and frogs.
• Great Basin Gopher snake: A large snake that often lives in burrows.
• Bullsnake: A large, powerful snake that can hiss loudly to scare off threats.
• Long-nosed snake: This snake has a long snout.
• Western Ground snake: A small snake that lives underground.
• Southwestern blackhead snake: This small snake has a dark head.
• Plains blackhead snake: Another small snake with a dark head, found in plains areas.
• Blackneck garter snake: Garter snakes are common and often have stripes. This one has a dark patch on its neck.
• Western terrestrial Garter snake: A common garter snake found in many habitats.
• Western ribbon Snake: A slender garter snake often found near water.
• Plains garter snake: This garter snake lives in grassy plains.
• Common garter snake: One of the most common snakes in North America.
• Lined snake: A small snake with thin lines running down its body.
• Texas blind snake: This tiny snake looks like a worm and lives underground.
• Midget Faded rattlesnake: A type of rattlesnake, which is venomous. Rattlesnakes have a rattle on their tail that they shake to warn predators.
• Prairie Rattlesnake: The most common rattlesnake in Colorado, found in grasslands.
• Massasauga: A smaller rattlesnake, also venomous.

Turtles in Colorado

Turtles are reptiles that have a hard shell to protect their bodies. They can live in water, on land, or both. Turtles are known for their long lifespans.

Here are some of the turtles you might find in Colorado:

• Common snapping turtle: These large turtles have powerful jaws and a long tail. They are often found in ponds and lakes.
• Painted turtle: These turtles have colorful markings on their shell and skin, making them look "painted."
• Ornate Box turtle: These land turtles have a hinged shell that allows them to close up completely when threatened.
• Red-eared slider: These turtles are often kept as pets. In Colorado, they are an introduced species, meaning they were brought here by people. They are also an invasive species, which means they can harm the local environment and native animals.
• Yellow mud turtle: A small turtle that lives in muddy areas.
• Spiny softshell turtle: This turtle has a flat, leathery shell instead of a hard one, and a long, pointed snout.

See also

• Bibliography of Colorado
• Geography of Colorado
• History of Colorado
• Index of Colorado-related articles
• List of Colorado-related lists
• Outline of Colorado