F&W Ecology 306: Reptiles

Common snapping turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Common musk turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

Wood turtle

Glyptemys insculpta

Blanding's turtle

Emydoidea blandingii

Ornate box turtle

Terrapene ornata

Western painted turtle

Chrysemys picta belli

Midland painted turtle

Chrysemys picta marginata

Northern or common map turtle

Graptemys geographica

Ouachita map turtle

Graptemys ouachitensis

False map turtle

Graptemys pseudogeographica

Smooth softshell turtle

Apalone mutica

Spiny softshell turtle

Apalone spinifera

Slender glass lizard

Ophisaurus attenuatus

Six-lined racerunner

Aspidoscelis sexlineatus

Five-lined skink

Plestiodon fasciatus

Prairie skink

Plestiodon septentrionalis

Western wormsnake

Carphophis vermis

Prairie ring-necked snake

Diadophis punctatus arnyi

Northern ring-necked snake

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii

Eastern hog-nosed snake

Heterodon platirhinos

smooth greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

North American racer

Coluber constrictor

gray ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

eastern foxsnake

Pantherophis vulpinus

bullsnake or gophersnake

Pituophis catenifer

milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Butler's gartersnake

Thamnophis butleri

plains gartersnake

Thamnophis radix

common gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis

eastern ribbonsnake

Thamnophis sauritus

western ribbonsnake

Thamnophis proximus

lined snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

DeKay's brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

red-bellied snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

queensnake

Regina septemvittata

common watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

eastern massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

timber rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

Chelydra serpentina

Sternotherus odoratus

Glyptemys insculpta

Emydoidea blandingii

Terrapene ornata

Chrysemys picta belli

Chrysemys picta marginata

Graptemys geographica

Graptemys ouachitensis

Graptemys pseudogeographica

Apalone mutica

Apalone spinifera

Ophisaurus attenuatus

Aspidoscelis sexlineatus

Plestiodon fasciatus

Plestiodon septentrionalis

Carphophis vermis

Diadophis punctatus arnyi

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii

Heterodon platirhinos

Opheodrys vernalis

Coluber constrictor

Pantherophis spiloides

Pantherophis vulpinus

Pituophis catenifer

Lampropeltis triangulum

Thamnophis butleri

Thamnophis radix

Thamnophis sirtalis

Thamnophis sauritus

Thamnophis proximus

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Storeria dekayi

Storeria occipitomaculata

Regina septemvittata

Nerodia sipedon

Sistrurus catenatus

Crotalus horridus

Reptile General Characteristics

Ectothermic tetrapods with epidermal scales made of keratin, amniotic eggs (leathery or calcified), and internal fertilization; they lack aquatic larvae and typically have claws on their toes.

Amniote Skulls

Classified by temporal openings: Anapsid (no openings, characteristic of turtles), Diapsid (two openings, including lizards, snakes, and crocodilians), and Synapsid (one opening, leading to mammals).

Order Testudines

Approximately 369 species worldwide (11 in WI); characterized by an anapsid skull and a bony shell.

Order Squamata

The largest reptile order, containing Suborder Lacertilia (Lizards), Suborder Serpentes (Snakes), and Suborder Amphisbaenia (Worm lizards).

Order Crocodylia

Semi-aquatic, exclusively carnivorous reptiles with a 4-chambered heart and a pantropical distribution.

Order Rhynchocephalia

A single species of "living fossils" limited to New Zealand islands; they have two rows of teeth in the upper jaw and are tolerant of cool temperatures.

Order Squamata, Suborder Amphisbaenia

Fossorial reptiles that are mostly legless with scales arranged in rings; they have reduced eyes and no external ears.

Painted Turtle

Abundant statewide in shallow, slow-moving water; distinguished by red markings on the shell and skin.

Ornate Box Turtle

An Endangered species in WI found in open to semi-open canopy uplands; its diet includes invertebrates, berries, and carrion.

Common Map Turtle

Highly aquatic resident of large rivers in the SW two-thirds of WI; shell pattern resembles a map.

Smooth Softshell Turtle

A species of Special Concern in WI large rivers; characterized by a flat, scuteless carapace with a smooth front edge.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Common throughout most of WI in rivers and lakes; identified by spines on the front edge of the carapace.

Six-lined Racerunner

A fast-moving lizard of dry prairies and Mississippi/WI River floodplains; status is Special Concern.

Five-lined Skink

Found in central WI oak/pine barrens and forest edges; shiny scales and a "Y" pattern on the head.

Prairie Skink

Found in northwestern WI pine barrens and grasslands; characterized by tan stripes.

Eastern Hognose Snake

Found in oak savannas and sandy forests; known for its upturned rostral scale and a diet consisting mostly of toads.

Smooth Greensnake

A slender snake of prairies, savannas, and grassy edges; has unkeeled scales and an invertebrate diet.

North American Racer

A Special Concern and "Protected Wild Animal" in SW WI dry sand and bluff prairies; eats small vertebrates and insects.

Gray Ratsnake

A large, semi-arboreal snake of bluff prairies and oak woodlands; constricts prey (rodents and birds) and is a "Protected Wild Animal".

Eastern Massasauga

An Endangered and Federally Threatened rattlesnake in WI.