Reptiles & Amphibians of California
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
769,640
recent observations
50
species listed
50
reptiles & amphibians
Naturalists have logged 769,640 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 186,255 recorded sightings.
Rarer finds confirmed in California include Foothill Yellow-legged Frog, California Red-legged Frog and California Giant Salamander - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians in California
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
186,255 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
56,776 observations
Pacific chorus frog
Pseudacris regilla
49,521 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
40,806 observations
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
39,095 observations
California Newt
Taricha torosa
35,440 observations
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
29,730 observations
California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps attenuatus
28,842 observations
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
24,607 observations
Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
23,448 observations
Ensatina
Ensatina eschscholtzii
19,180 observations
Western Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris
16,327 observations
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
12,681 observations
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
11,744 observations
Arboreal Salamander
Aneides lugubris
10,362 observations
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
9,455 observations
Western Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus
9,061 observations
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
8,555 observations
Blainville's Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
8,151 observations
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
7,954 observations
Northwestern Pond Turtle
Actinemys marmorata
7,939 observations
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
7,449 observations
California Tree Frog
Pseudacris cadaverina
7,057 observations
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
7,007 observations
Northern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria coerulea
6,529 observations
Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
6,406 observations
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
6,024 observations
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
5,890 observations
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
5,796 observations
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
5,660 observations
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
Rana boylii
5,338 observations
California Red-legged Frog
Rana draytonii
5,139 observations
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
4,908 observations
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
4,821 observations
Common Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus
4,453 observations
Black-bellied Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps nigriventris
4,085 observations
Common Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia tenuis
3,906 observations
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
3,857 observations
Southern Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus vandenburgianus
3,757 observations
California Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon ensatus
3,646 observations
Aquatic Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus
3,621 observations
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
3,474 observations
Pacific Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon tenebrosus
3,357 observations
Mojave Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
3,350 observations
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
3,305 observations
Orange-throated Whiptail
Aspidoscelis hyperythrus
3,209 observations
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
3,202 observations
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
3,033 observations
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
2,754 observations
Southern California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major
2,678 observations
Reptiles & Amphibians in nearby places
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