Reptiles & Amphibians of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted in Carlsbad Caverns, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
932
recent observations
50
species listed
50
reptiles & amphibians
Naturalists have logged 932 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Carlsbad Caverns. The most frequently seen is the Southwestern Fence Lizard, with 103 recorded sightings.
Rarer finds confirmed in Carlsbad Caverns include Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Southwestern Blackhead Snake and Texas Blind Snake - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians in Carlsbad Caverns
Southwestern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus cowlesi
103 observations
Common Checkered Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tesselatus
75 observations
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail
Aspidoscelis exsanguis
70 observations
Eastern Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
66 observations
Crevice Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus poinsettii
55 observations
Rio Grande Cooter
Pseudemys gorzugi
52 observations
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
51 observations
Red-spotted Toad
Anaxyrus punctatus
43 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
34 observations
Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake
Crotalus ornatus
28 observations
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus
26 observations
Greater Earless Lizard
Cophosaurus texanus
25 observations
Texas Toad
Anaxyrus speciosus
20 observations
Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus
19 observations
Rio Grande Leopard Frog
Lithobates berlandieri
19 observations
Couch's Spadefoot
Scaphiopus couchii
17 observations
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
17 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
15 observations
Mountain Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora grahamiae
14 observations
Arizona Striped Whiptail
Aspidoscelis arizonae
14 observations · iNaturalist
Black-necked Garter Snake
Thamnophis cyrtopsis
12 observations
Great Plains Ratsnake
Pantherophis emoryi
12 observations
Texas Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma cornutum
12 observations
Rock Rattlesnake
Crotalus lepidus
10 observations
Mediterranean House Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus
10 observations
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
9 observations
Roundtail Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma modestum
9 observations
Chihuahuan Nightsnake
Hypsiglena jani
9 observations
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
7 observations
Ornate Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata
7 observations
Striped Whipsnake
Masticophis taeniatus
6 observations
Mexican Hognose Snake
Heterodon kennerlyi
6 observations
Texas Banded Gecko
Coleonyx brevis
6 observations
Chihuahuan Green Toad
Anaxyrus debilis
6 observations
Great Plains Skink
Plestiodon obsoletus
6 observations
Trans-pecos Ratsnake
Bogertophis subocularis
5 observations
Many-lined Skink
Plestiodon multivirgatus
5 observations
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
4 observations
Common Spotted Whiptail
Aspidoscelis gularis
4 observations
Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Tantilla hobartsmithi
3 observations
Texas Blind Snake
Rena dulcis
3 observations
Yellow Mud Turtle
Kinosternon flavescens
3 observations
Great Plains Ground Snake
Sonora episcopa
3 observations
Mexican Spadefoot
Spea multiplicata
2 observations
Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans
2 observations
Gray-banded Kingsnake
Lampropeltis alterna
2 observations
Greater Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma hernandesi
2 observations
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
2 observations
Western Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma mavortium
1 observation
Plains Black-headed Snake
Tantilla nigriceps
1 observation
Reptiles & Amphibians in nearby places
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