Lytle Trip Identifications

Anaxyrus microscaphus

- widely separated and oval parotoid glands

- weakly developed or no cranial crests

- less warty

Anaxyrus punctatus

- round, circular parotoid glands

- red spotted warts covering the body

- no cranial crests

Anaxyrus woodhousii

- oval parotoid glands, closer together

- prominent cranial crests that are parallel to one another

- warts will often cluster in groups of three surrounded by black spots

Pseudacris regilla

- dark eyestripe that extends to arm

- obvious toe pads

Hyla arenicolor

- yellow inguinal region

- obvious toe pads

- found in canyons and higher elevation

Lithobates catesbeianus

- green lips

- large tympanum

- lacks dorsolateral ridges

- largest of the Ranids

Sceloporus occidentalis

- dark patches over shoulders

- single blue throat patch

- sharply keeled scales

Sceloporus magister

- scales pointed, keeled, and overlapping

- black wedge pattern on neck

- larger than the other Sceloporus

Sceloporus tristichus

- paired blue throat patches

- sharply keeled scales

- chevron like pattern on the back

Urosaurus ornatus

- 2 parallel stripes of enlarged, keeled scales down the back

- throat patches can come in a variety of colors

Uta stansburiana

- dark spot located underneath the arm

- often dorsally spotted, can appear in a variety of colors

- gular fold

Callisaurus draconoides

- short snout

- long legs and toes

- long, flat tail with zebra pattern

- two black crossbars on sides, with bright blue coloration

Aspidoscelis tigris

- dorsum with stripes and dots, can form a network

- young with blue tail

- very long tails

Aspidoscelis velox

- 6 stripes (7 with mid-dorsal)

- all female

- tail light blue

Gambelia wislizenii

- granular dorsal scales

- dark spotted dorsal pattern with light crossbars

- can have orange spots on side

- long, round tail

Crotaphytus bicinctores

- western range

- black and white/yellow striped collar

Crotaphytus collaris

- eastern range

- black and white/yellow collar

- males of C. (species) are generally more brightly colored with blues and greens

Sauromalus ater

- loose folds of skin

- tail with broad base, blunt tip

- rocky habitats

- wedge themselves between rocks and puff up

- primarily herbivorous

Dipsosaurus dorsalis

- network of dots across back

- large size!

- blunt snout

Coleonyx variegatus

- cream colored dorsum with darker bands

- darker bands can break up to form reticulations in adults

- can be found under temporary hides with scorpions (centroides sp.)

- does not have sticky toe pads

Xantusia vigilis

- light colored - may have dark flecking

- large plate - like scales on head

- no eyelids

- granular body scales

Masticophis flagellum

- young with saddles/banding

- adults with less distinct pattern

- fast moving and diurnal

- heat tolerant

- very long tails

Thamnophis elegans

- light colored vertebral stripe

- often with faded lateral stripes on either side

- 8 upper labial scales

Crotalus cerastes

- raised supraocular scales

- dark spots around body

- rattle

Crotalus scutuatus

- large scales between supraoculars

- rattle

Crotalus lutosus

- most common species in Utah

- barred tail without white rings

- dorsal blotches with light centers

- typically, lighter background

Trachemys scripta

- red blotches behind eyes

- webbed toes

Gopherus agassizii

- Utah's only terrestrial chelonian

- high domed shell

- elephant like feet