Reptiles of Texas

Alligator

Caiman Small crocodile looking Brought in as pets and have been turned loose in some areas

Crocodiles Not found in TX!! Pointed snout

Green Anole Can change colors and therefore is sometimes called a chameleon

Collared Lizzard

Gecko

Glass Lizard Looks more like a snake Tail will break off if pulled by predator- it will re-grow

Texas Horned lizard (Horny Toad) State Reptile Squirts blood out of eyes Fire ants have hurt Population Feeds on red ants

Six lined Racer

Gila Monster Only poisonous lizard in Texas Found in Rocky terrain

Turtle species Protective shell Lack teeth-have a sharp break Most are herbivorous, but some such as snapping turtles are carnivorous Some eat insects, mollusk, worms, and raw meat

Snapping Turtle Fairly aggressive turtle

Softshell turtle Good to eat Found in freshwater streams

Texas Tortoise Tortoise is found on land (terrestrial)

Red Ear Slider Very common

Stinkpot Turtle

Box Turtle Kept as pets

Ridley sea Turtle Common off Texas Coast

Poisonous Snakes

Coral Snake Poisonous and affects the nervous system Red on Yellow

Cottonmouth Water Moccasin Found around waters edge Poisonous Musky smell White inside Of mouth Very aggressive

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Most Common Rattler in Tx Black and white bands on tail Some don’t rattle poisonous

Copperhead Very poisonous and common

Canebreak Rattlesnake Found in the Central Post Oak Region of Texas Poisonous

Non Venomous Snakes

Blue Indigo Kills rattlesnakes Found in South Texas Up to 10 foot long They like to rest around ponds

Rat Snake

Milk Snake Not poisonous Red on black Bigger than coral

Water Snake Non-venemous

Ribbon Snake

Garter Snake Very common

Amphibians Begin their life cycle in water and use gills to breath and once mature they have developed lungs and can breath air. Toads, frogs and salamanders

Spotted Salamander

American Toad

Houston Toad Endangered A fungus (Chitrid)common in water is what is killing them

Chorus Frog

Bullfrog Commonly eat the legs Deep sounding croak

Leopard Frog Most common frog in Texas

Tadpole Larval stage of Frogs and toads

Newt Larval stage of salamander Sometime called water dogs Bass