List of reptiles of Washington facts for kids

Reptiles are amazing animals that have scales and are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature changes with their surroundings. This article will introduce you to some cool lizards, snakes, and turtles. You'll learn about their sizes, where they live, and how we can help protect them.

Lizards

Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles, known for their scaly skin and usually four legs. They can be found in many different habitats, from deserts to forests.

Iguanids (family Iguanidae)

Iguanids are a family of lizards that often have spiny scales and can be found in various environments.

• Pygmy short-horned lizard
  • Scientific name: Phrynosoma douglasii
  • Conservation status: Not evaluated
  • Description: These small lizards are about 65 millimetres (2.6 in) long. They have a flat body and short "horns" on their head, which help them blend in with their surroundings.

A Pygmy short-horned lizard

• Sagebrush lizard
  • Scientific name: Sceloporus graciosus
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Adult sagebrush lizards can grow up to 60 millimetres (2.4 in). They often live in areas with sagebrush, as their name suggests.

A Sagebrush lizard

• Side-blotched lizard
  • Scientific name: Uta stansburiana
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: These lizards are small, reaching about 55 millimetres (2.2 in) as adults. They get their name from the dark blotches on their sides, just behind their front legs.

A Side-blotched lizard

• Western fence lizard
  • Scientific name: Sceloporus occidentalis
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Western fence lizards are common and grow to be about 5.6–8.7 centimetres (2.2–3.4 in) long. They are often seen basking on rocks and fences.

A Western fence lizard

Skinks (family Scincidae)

Skinks are lizards with smooth, shiny scales that often look like they're wearing armor. They usually have short legs and long tails.

• Western skink
  • Scientific name: Eumeces skiltonianus
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Western skinks are about 5.4–8.6 centimetres (2.1–3.4 in) long. Young skinks often have bright blue tails, which can distract predators.

A Western skink

Alligator lizards (family Anguidae)

Alligator lizards are known for their long bodies and often have a fold of skin along their sides. They can drop their tails to escape from danger, and the tail will grow back!

• Northern alligator lizard
  • Scientific name: Elgaria coerulea
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: These lizards can reach up to 100 millimetres (3.9 in) in length. They have a long, slender body and can be found in many different habitats.

A Northern alligator lizard

• Southern alligator lizard
  • Scientific name: Elgaria multicarinata
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Southern alligator lizards are larger than their northern cousins, growing to about 141 millimetres (5.6 in). They are often found in gardens and woodlands.

A Southern alligator lizard

Snakes

Snakes are reptiles without legs, known for their long, flexible bodies. They can be venomous or non-venomous, and they play important roles in their ecosystems.

Colubrids (family Colubridae)

Colubrids are the largest family of snakes, and most of them are non-venomous.

• California mountain kingsnake
  • Scientific name: Lampropeltis zonata
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: These non-venomous snakes are known for their beautiful red, black, and white bands. Adults can be 50–100 centimetres (20–39 in) long.

A California mountain kingsnake

• Common garter snake
  • Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: A very common non-venomous snake, adults can reach up to 137.2 centimetres (54.0 in). They often have stripes down their backs.

A Common garter snake

• Bull snake (Great Basin gopher snake)
  • Scientific name: Pituophis catenifer deserticola
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: This non-venomous snake can be quite large, reaching 180 centimetres (71 in). They can be aggressive if they feel threatened, often hissing loudly.

A Bull snake

• Gopher snake (Pacific gopher snake)
  • Scientific name: Pituophis catenifer catenifer
  • Conservation status: Not evaluated
  • Description: Similar to the bull snake, this non-venomous snake is also quite long. They are excellent at controlling rodent populations.

A Gopher snake

• Night snake
  • Scientific name: Hypsiglena torquata
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: These snakes are mildly venomous, but their venom is not harmful to humans. Adults are usually less than 46 centimetres (18 in) long and are active at night.

A Night snake

• Northwestern garter snake
  • Scientific name: Thamnophis ordinoides
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: A non-venomous snake, adults rarely grow longer than 60 centimetres (24 in). They can have many different color patterns.

A Northwestern garter snake

• Racer
  • Scientific name: Coluber constrictor
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Racers are non-venomous and very fast snakes, reaching 50–152 centimetres (20–60 in). They are active hunters during the day.

A Racer snake

• Ringneck snake
  • Scientific name: Diadophis punctatus
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: These small, mildly venomous snakes are usually less than 55 centimetres (22 in). They have a distinctive yellow or orange ring around their neck.

A Ringneck snake

• Sharptail snake
  • Scientific name: Contia tenuis
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Sharptail snakes are non-venomous and very small, usually less than 30 centimetres (12 in). They have a sharp scale at the end of their tail.

A Sharptail snake

• Striped whipsnake
  • Scientific name: Masticophis taeniatus
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: These non-venomous snakes are long and slender, growing to 90–180 centimetres (35–71 in). They are very quick and agile.

A Striped whipsnake

• Western terrestrial garter snake
  • Scientific name: Thamnophis elegans
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: This non-venomous garter snake can reach 97 centimetres (38 in). They are often found near water.

A Western terrestrial garter snake

Vipers (family Viperidae)

Vipers are a family of venomous snakes known for their hinged fangs that fold back when not in use.

• Western rattlesnake
  • Scientific name: Crotalus oreganus
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: This venomous snake is known for the rattle on its tail, which it shakes as a warning. Adults are typically 60–150 centimetres (24–59 in) long.

A Western rattlesnake

Boas (family Boidae)

Boas are non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by constricting (squeezing) them.

• Rubber boa
  • Scientific name: Charina bottae
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: This non-venomous snake feels rubbery to the touch and rarely exceeds 60 centimetres (24 in). They are often mistaken for worms due to their blunt tail.

A Rubber boa

Turtles

Turtles are reptiles with a hard shell that protects their body. They can live on land or in water.

Family Emydidae

Emydidae is a family of turtles that includes many common pond and box turtles.

• Painted turtle
  • Scientific name: Chrysemys picta
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: Painted turtles are known for the colorful markings on their shells and skin. Adults are usually 6–25 centimetres (2.4–9.8 in) long.

A Western painted turtle

• Pond slider
  • Scientific name: Trachemys scripta
  • Conservation status: Least concern
  • Description: This non-native species can grow quite large, from 8.9–36.8 centimetres (3.5–14.5 in). They are often seen basking in the sun on logs or rocks in ponds.

A Pond slider

• Western pond turtle
  • Scientific name: Actinemys marmorata or Emys marmorata
  • Conservation status: Vulnerable
  • Description: These turtles are about 9–19 centimetres (3.5–7.5 in) long (shell length). They are a native species, but their numbers are decreasing, making them a vulnerable species that needs our protection.

A Western pond turtle

See also

• List of fauna of Washington (state)