Field Guide to Dallas, Texas’s Reptiles · Amphibians A NOTE FOR EXPLORERS This guide is meant to inspire exploration and learning. Always verify species identification using multiple sources before drawing any conclusions. Stay safe: Observe wildlife from a respectful distance and follow local regulations. Do not disturb or handle wild reptiles or amphibians. Species data and images sourced from iNaturalist.org. Consider contributing your own observations and/or supporting their work. Dallas, Texas Herps Field Guide 1 HERPS Pond Slider Trachemys scripta A common semi-aquatic turtle with vibrant juvenile markings, it can become invasive in non-native areas, impacting local ecosystems. Green Anole Anolis carolinensis A small to medium-sized lizard, it exhibits green to brown coloration and can change hues. Found in the southeastern U.S., it’s arboreal and territorial. Texas Spiny Lizard Sceloporus olivaceus A common phrynosomatid lizard of the south-central U.S. and northeastern Mexico, it prefers mesquite trees and is known for its spiny texture. Rough Earthsnake Virginia striatula A small, nonvenomous snake found in the Southeastern U.S., it prefers forested areas and urban gardens, feeding mainly on invertebrates. Blanchard’S Cricket Frog Acris blanchardi A small, warty-skinned frog found in wetlands, it faces population declines due to habitat loss and environmental factors. Distinctive call. Gulf Coast Toad Incilius nebulifer A common toad found along the Gulf Coast, inhabiting diverse environments from prairies to towns, with breeding in various pools. Dallas, Texas Herps Field Guide 2 Mediterranean House Gecko Hemidactylus turcicus Small, nocturnal lizards from the Mediterranean, they thrive near human habitats and are known for their distinctive calls and predatory behavior. Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera A large freshwater turtle with a leathery carapace and spiny projections, found in diverse habitats across North America. River Cooter Pseudemys concinna This freshwater turtle inhabits rivers and lakes in the eastern U.S., known for basking on logs and a diverse diet of plants and small animals. Diamondback Watersnake Nerodia rhombifer A nonvenomous snake found near slow-moving waters, it features a diamond-patterned back and can grow up to 180 cm long. Little Brown Skink Scincella lateralis A small, abundant skink found in eastern U.S. forests, it has a coppery brown back, short legs, and prefers leaf litter habitats. Rough Greensnake Opheodrys aestivus A nonvenomous, arboreal snake, it features bright green coloration for camouflage and primarily feeds on insects in moist habitats. Dallas, Texas Herps Field Guide 3 Eastern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix A widespread venomous pit viper in the eastern U.S., this species features distinctive hourglass markings and prefers wooded habitats. Plain-Bellied Watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster A large, nonvenomous snake with a patternless belly, found near freshwater in the southeastern U.S. Faces habitat loss and road mortality. Broad-Banded Copperhead Agkistrodon laticinctus This venomous pit viper is found in central U.S. and parts of Mexico, characterized by broad bands and a secretive, nocturnal nature. American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus A large true frog native to eastern North America, it inhabits various water bodies and is known for its distinctive bellowing call. Green Treefrog Dryophytes cinereus A common arboreal species in the U.S., this nocturnal frog varies in color, thrives near water, and exhibits complex mating behaviors. Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina A large freshwater turtle with a rugged shell, known for its powerful jaws and long lifespan, inhabits diverse aquatic environments. Dallas, Texas Herps Field Guide 4 PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS • Acris blanchardi - (c) Andy Kraemer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Agkistrodon contortrix - (c) Eric Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Agkistrodon laticinctus - (c) johnwilliams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by johnwilliams • Anolis carolinensis - (c) Roberto R. Calderón, some rights reserved (CC BY- NC), uploaded by Roberto R. Calderón • Apalone spinifera - (c) cgbb2004, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Chelydra serpentina - (c) lwolfartist, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Dryophytes cinereus - (c) David G. Barker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by David G. Barker • Hemidactylus turcicus - (c) Ty Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ty Smith • Incilius nebulifer - (c) Jeromi Hefner, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Lithobates catesbeianus - (c) bubbacho, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Nerodia erythrogaster - (c) Shreybae, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Nerodia rhombifer - (c) Eric N. Rittmeyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Opheodrys aestivus - (c) johnwilliams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Pseudemys concinna - (c) Chris Evers, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Sceloporus olivaceus - (c) John Brush, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by John Brush • Scincella lateralis - (c) Richard Coldiron, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Richard Coldiron • Trachemys scripta - no rights reserved, up- loaded by Glenn Berry • Virginia striatula - (c) Ty Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ty Smith