Reptiles & Amphibians of California
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
753,437
recent observations
50
species listed
50
reptiles & amphibians
Naturalists have logged 753,437 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 180,445 recorded sightings.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians in California
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
180,445 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
55,302 observations
Pacific chorus frog
Pseudacris regilla
48,602 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
40,069 observations
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
38,177 observations
California Newt
Taricha torosa
35,351 observations
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
29,140 observations
California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps attenuatus
28,752 observations
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
24,111 observations
Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
23,001 observations
Ensatina
Ensatina eschscholtzii
19,071 observations
Western Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris
15,948 observations
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
12,531 observations
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
11,407 observations
Arboreal Salamander
Aneides lugubris
10,311 observations
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
9,246 observations
Western Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus
8,949 observations
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
8,456 observations
Blainville's Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
8,055 observations · iNaturalist
Northwestern Pond Turtle
Actinemys marmorata
7,814 observations
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
7,788 observations
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
7,371 observations
California Tree Frog
Pseudacris cadaverina
6,939 observations · iNaturalist
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
6,928 observations
Northern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria coerulea
6,258 observations
Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
6,258 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
5,960 observations
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
5,746 observations · iNaturalist
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
5,669 observations
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
5,530 observations
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
Rana boylii
5,176 observations · iNaturalist
California Red-legged Frog
Rana draytonii
5,063 observations · iNaturalist
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
4,834 observations
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
4,729 observations
Common Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus
4,183 observations
Black-bellied Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps nigriventris
4,082 observations
Common Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia tenuis
3,860 observations
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
3,760 observations
Southern Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus vandenburgianus
3,656 observations · iNaturalist
California Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon ensatus
3,551 observations · iNaturalist
Aquatic Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus
3,544 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
3,408 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
3,292 observations
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
3,268 observations
Pacific Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon tenebrosus
3,215 observations
Orange-throated Whiptail
Aspidoscelis hyperythrus
3,145 observations · iNaturalist
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
3,133 observations
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
2,954 observations
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
2,719 observations · iNaturalist
Southern California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major
2,680 observations · iNaturalist
Reptiles & Amphibians in nearby places
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