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Reptiles & Amphibians of Joshua Tree National Park

The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted in Joshua Tree, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

15,039
recent observations
50
species listed
50
reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 15,039 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Joshua Tree. The most frequently seen is the Common Side-blotched Lizard, with 3,940 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Joshua Tree include Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard and Southwestern Blackhead Snake - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Coachella Valley Fringe-toed LizardSouthwestern Blackhead Snake

Most-observed reptiles & amphibians in Joshua Tree

Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
3,940 observations
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
1,784 observations
Western Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris
1,165 observations
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
1,161 observations
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
1,118 observations
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
869 observations
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
755 observations
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
582 observations
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
563 observations
Mojave Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
548 observations
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
485 observations
Desert Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus bicinctores
284 observations
Red-spotted Toad
Anaxyrus punctatus
247 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
159 observations
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
146 observations
Desert Coachwhip
Masticophis piceus
130 observations · iNaturalist
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
115 observations
Desert Night Lizard
Xantusia vigilis
93 observations
Western Banded Gecko
Coleonyx variegatus
86 observations
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
75 observations
California Tree Frog
Pseudacris cadaverina
73 observations
Western Glossy Snake
Arizona occidentalis
69 observations
Woodhouse's Toad
Anaxyrus woodhousii
59 observations
Mediterranean House Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus
57 observations
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
56 observations
Coastal Rosy Boa
Lichanura orcutti
47 observations
Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma inornata
42 observations
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma mcallii
42 observations
Blainville's Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
40 observations
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
38 observations
Mojave Shovelnose Snake
Sonora occipitalis
31 observations
Western Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
27 observations
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
19 observations
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
19 observations
Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus
18 observations
Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
16 observations
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma scoparia
15 observations
Rio Grande Leopard Frog
Lithobates berlandieri
13 observations
California Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
12 observations
Great Plains Toad
Anaxyrus cognatus
9 observations
Gilbert's Skink
Plestiodon gilberti
7 observations
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
6 observations
Spiny Softshell
Apalone spinifera
4 observations
Western Threadsnake
Rena humilis
4 observations
Mojave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
3 observations
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
3 observations
Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
2 observations
Western Black-headed Snake
Tantilla planiceps
1 observation
Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Tantilla hobartsmithi
1 observation
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus
1 observation

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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