Herpetology Practical 2 List

All the lizards, alligators, turtles, and snakes.

A small lizard (5.0 to 8.0 inches in length) which can be green, brown, or a mixture of both colors; may have some dark patterns on the back. Males are larger and have a pink or reddish throat fan. Females have a white throat and a whitish stripe down the center of their back.

A small lizard (5.0 to 8.0 inches in length) which can be green, brown, or a mixture of both colors; may have some dark patterns on the back. Males are larger and have a pink or reddish throat fan. Females have a white throat and a whitish stripe down the center of their back.

Anolis carolinensis

A medium-sized (up to 19 cm TL), stout lizard with gray to brown back sporting 5 to 8 dark bands. Belly white with varying amounts of blue or greenish blue along ventral edges. Blue patch on throat. The colored areas on the throat and sides of body are more brilliant in breeding males.

Sceloporus undulatus

A long, slender, fast-moving lizard (6.0 to 9.5 inches in length) with 6 light stripes, extending from the head down to the tail, on a dark brown or black background color. Stripes can be yellow, white, gray, or pale blue. Bellies are white to salmon-pink for females and bluish for males. Tail is gray or brown and has a rough feel. Adult males have a broader head than females; females have a heavier body.

Aspidoscelis sexlineata

A medium-sized lizard (5.0 to 7.0 inches in length) with smooth, shiny scales and short legs. Back color ranges from olive-gray to brown. A wide dark brown or black lateral stripe extends from the head onto the tail along each side of the body, bordered by a thin light line above and below. The belly is gray or bluish-gray. Males have dark orange or reddish tint on sides of the head during the breeding season. Adult females are slightly larger than males.

Plestiodon anthracinus

A moderately large, shiny lizard (5.0 to 8.5 inches in length) with highly variable color pattern. Generally the body is brown or black with 5 white or yellowish stripes extending onto the tail. Adult males are uniformly brown or olive with faint stripes; and reddish or orange coloration on the head during the breeding season. Adult females are typically brown with faded stripes and gray or blue-gray tail. Juveniles have a bright blue tail and distinct stripes.

Plestiodon fasciatus

A moderately large, shiny lizard (5.5 to 8.5 inches in length) with highly variable color pattern. Body color is usually brown or black with 5 white or yellowish stripes extending onto the tail. Middle stripe is often thinner than others. Adult males have brown or bronze backs and often lose the middle stripe; they also have reddish or orange coloration on the head during the breeding season. Adult females typically are more faded but retain stripes and coloration. Juveniles have a bright blue tail and distinct stripes.

Plestiodon inexpectatus

 A large, smooth-scaled lizard (6.5 to 12.5 inches in length) with short legs and stocky body.   Adult males, the namesake of this species, are olive-brown with large, swollen red heads during the breeding season.   Adult females are variable, but usually have up to 5 light or faded stripes on brownish body.   Juveniles have 5 distinct, light colored stripes on a black background with a bright blue tail.

Plestiodon laticeps

A small, slender lizard (3.0 to 5.25 inches in length) with smooth, shiny scales and short legs. Background color is variable, but usually golden brown to dark brown with dark stripes running down the side of the back from eye to mid-tail. Small black specks typically dot the back and sides. Adult males have yellow bellies; adult females have white or gray bellies and are larger. Juveniles are similar to adults.

Scincella lateralis

A long, slender, legless lizard (22.0 to 46.0 inches in length) that looks similar to a snake. Distinguished from snakes by having movable eyelids, external ears, and small scales on the belly. A fold of skin running along each side of the body, termed lateral groove (or fold), is distinct. Body color is brownish or tan with narrow black stripe in the center on juveniles. Narrow, dark, longitudinal stripes run down the sides, above and below the groove, from head to tail. Older specimens may have light, irregular crossbands on back and tail.

Ophisaurus attenuatus

a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. Their body alone ranges from 6 - 14 feet long. Almost black in color, it has prominent eyes and nostrils with coarse scales over the entire body. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth along the edge of the jaws. Its front feet have 5 toes, while rear feet have 4 toes that are webbed.

Alligator mississippiensis

A large aquatic turtle (8.0 to 18.5 inches in length) with a large pointed head, rough carapace (upper shell), and long saw-tooth ridged tail. Carapace (upper shell) ranges from brown to nearly black, while the plastron (lower shell) is small and creamy to yellowish. Youth have very rough shells, long tails, and light spot at edge of each marginal scute (plate).

Chelydra serpentina

A very large aquatic turtle (15.0 to 26.0 inches in length) with a long, hooked beak, 3 prominent jagged ridges on the carapace (upper shell), and an extra row of scutes (plates) on each side of the carapace. Shell color ranges from brown to dark brown. The plastron (lower shell) is small and cross-shaped.

Macrochelys temminckii

A small, drab turtle (2.75 to 4.0 inches in length) with a smooth, oval, dark brown (to almost black) shell. The large double-hinged plastron (lower shell) is yellowish-brown with dark markings. The bridge between the plastron and the carapace (upper shell) is broad. The Head has some yellow streaking. Males have concaved plastrons and longer, thicker tails. Young have plastrons with orange-red spots.

Kinosternon subrubrum

A small aquatic turtle (3.0 to 4.0 inches in length) with keeled (prominent in juveniles), tan to brown carapace (upper shell) sprinkled with dark spots. The large head is light brown with dark spots and dark, prominent stripes along the head and neck. Two barbels (fleshy nodules) hang down from the chin. The pink or yellow plastron (lower shell) is small with only 1 hinge. Males have a much larger head and females have a very short tail.

Sternotherus minor

A small, aquatic, dark turtle (2.0 to 4.5 inches in length) with a smooth, domed-looking shell. Carapace (upper shell) is long and varies from light olive brown to nearly black. The sides of the head have 2 distinct light-colored stripes and barbels (fleshy nodules) occur on the chin and neck. The small plastron (lower shell) is yellow or yellowish-brown and has a single horizontal hinge towards the front. Males have a longer and thicker tail. Young have a prominent keel running down the center of the carapace.

Sternotherus odoratus

A small, colorful, aquatic turtle (4.0 to 6.0 inches in length) with a smooth olive to black carapace (upper shell), which lacks a keel. Marginal scutes (plates) have prominent red coloration. The sides of the head and chin have yellow striping, and a noticeable yellow spot occurs behind each eye. These turtles have scutes forming straight rows across the back with light band between the plates.

Chrysemys picta

A small, colorful, aquatic turtle (4.0 to 6.0 inches in length) with a smooth olive to black carapace (upper shell), which lacks a keel. Marginal scutes (plates) have prominent red coloration. The sides of the head and chin have yellow striping and a noticeable yellow spot occurs behind each eye. They usually have a prominent red or orangish stripe running down the center of the back and a yellow plastron. Young are more brightly colored and have a slight keel on their back.

Chrysemys dorsalis

A small turtle (3.0 to 3.5 inches) with an orange, red, or yellowish patch on the side of the head behind the eye. The carapace (upper shell) is dark brown to black with the larger plates having yellowish or reddish centers. Plastron (lower shell) is dark with yellowish blotches and has no hinges. Males have a strongly concaved plastron, while females are flat. Young have distinct growth rings within each scute (plate) on carapace.

Glyptemys muhlenbergii

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (males 3.5 to 6.25; females 7.0 to 10.75 inches in length) having a low-keeled olive-green to brown carapace (upper shell) with intricate yellow lines, resembling roads or waterways on a map. Yellowish lines, over dark green skin, occur on the head, neck, and limbs with a distinct yellow dot behind eye. Plastron (lower shell) is light yellow, with brown borders along scutes (plates) in juveniles. Males have longer, thicker tails, while females are larger with broad heads.

Graptemys geographica

A medium-sized turtle (males 3.5 to 6.5 inches; females 5.0 to 10.25 inches in length) with a distinct large, yellowish rectangular or oval patch behind each eye. Carapace (upper shell) is olive-green to brown with dark smudges on the scutes (plates); covered with intricate yellow lines, resembling roads or waterways on a map.

Along the backbone of the shell is a blunt keel and the back end of the shell is serrated. Head, neck, and limbs are dark green with thin yellow lines. Yellow spots also occur below each eye and below that on the lower jaw. Plastron is dull yellow with grayish color along the margins of the scutes. Eyes are bright yellow with a black horizontal slit.

Graptemys ouachitensis

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (males 3.5 to 5.75 inches; females 5.0 to 10.75 inches in length) with a prominently keeled brown or olive carapace (upper shell) and yellow lines on the head, neck, and legs. False Map subspecies has a backward, yellow “L” mark behind eye with narrow, yellow neck stripes touching the edge of each eye.

Mississippi Map subspecies has yellow crescent behind eye and neck stripes do not touch edge of eye. Carapace is covered with intricate yellow lines resembling roads or waterways on a map and dark smudges on the scutes (plates). Rear of carapace is very serrated. Plastron is dull yellow with dark markings.

Graptemys pseudogeographica

A large, aquatic turtle (9.0 to 12.0 inches in length) with a wide, brown to nearly black carapace (upper shell) showing a reticulate pattern of orangish-yellow lines. Marginal scutes (plates) have wide, yellow borders.

Numerous yellowish stripes on head, neck, and chin (5 between the eyes). Dark, donut-shaped markings under the marginal plates. Adult males have longer claws (middle 3) on the front legs and longer tails than females. Young are more brightly colored than adults.

Pseudemys concinna

A small, high-domed turtle (4.5 to 6.0 inches in length) with highly variable colors and patterns. Most specimens have yellowish to orange spots or blotches intermixed with a dark brown or black background on the shell and skin. The carapace (upper shell) has a keel running down the center and is more pronounced in juveniles.

Plastron (lower shell) is hinged towards the shell’s front third, allowing the front and back to close tight. Males have a concaved plastron, a longer tail, and red eyes (usually); head and forelimbs may be bright orange. Females have a flat plastron, brown eyes, and a higher domed carapace. Young have a light yellow spot on each scute (plate).

Terrapene carolina

A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (adults average 5.0 to 8.0 inches in length, max 11.5+ inches but bigger ones have been reported) with a carapace (upper shell) ranging from dark green to brown to almost black with yellowish markings.

Head, neck, and limbs are striped yellow over a green or brownish skin. Lower jaw is rounded rather than flattened. Plastron (lower shell) is yellow with each plate usually having a dark spots.

Trachemys scripta

A round, flattened aquatic turtle (males 4.5 to 7.0; females 6.5 to 14.0 inches in length) with a long, tubular snout.

Carapace (upper shell) is smooth and olive-gray or brown; males have faint dots and dashes while females have mottled blotches. The plastron (lower shell) is a plain gray or cream color.

A light stripe, with a dark, thin border, extends from the eye down each side of the neck.

Adult females are larger and have longer hind claws.

Males have longer, thicker tails. Young are olive-colored and covered with dots.

Apalone mutica

A round, flattened aquatic turtle (males 5.0 to 9.25; females 7.0 to 17.0 inches in length) with a long, tubular snout.  The brown-to-olive-gray carapace (upper shell) feels like sandpaper and has small spines on the front edge.  Young females and males have distinct black dots and circles on the carapace, while adult females have brown or gray blotches.  Limbs are strongly spotted and a light stripe, with a dark, thin border, extends from the eye down each side of the neck.  Plastron is cream-colored with no markings. Males have longer, thicker tails.

Apalone spinifera

A small, shiny, smooth-scaled snake (7.5 to 11.0 inches in length) with a sharp contrast between brown back and pink belly; often having an iridescent sheen. Head is small and pointed with tiny eyes. Tail is short and pointed. Young are darker and smaller. Eastern Wormsnake has separate prefrontal and intranasal scales (scales between nose and eyes).

Carphophis amoenus

A slender, small to medium-sized snake (14.0 to 20.0 inches in length) with smooth scales and a striking color pattern. Wide red bands, bordered in black, are separated by cream or light yellow all the way from head to tail. Small, dark spots may dot the lighter areas on older specimens. Head is red and pointed. The belly is white or cream-colored. Males have longer tails. Young are similar to adults.

Cemophora coccinea

A large, slender, solid black snake (36.0 to 60.0 inches in length) with smooth and shiny scales.

Throat and chin have some white, and eye color (iris) is brown or dark amber.

The belly is dark gray to dark blue in color. Males are slightly larger than females.

Young are lighter in color with dark gray, brown, or reddish-brown pattern on the back.

Northern and Southern Black Racers can only be distinguished by internal anatomical differences.

Coluber constrictor

Ringneck snakes are small — 10 – 15 in (25 – 38 cm) — slender snakes that are generally grayish with a yellow or orange band around the back of the neck and a yellow or orange underside.

Diadophis punctatus