Reptiles & Amphibians of San Diego, California
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted near San Diego, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians near San Diego
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
19,764 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
5,067 observations
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
4,150 observations
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
3,013 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
2,240 observations
Pacific chorus frog
Pseudacris regilla
2,152 observations
Orange-throated Whiptail
Aspidoscelis hyperythrus
1,994 observations · iNaturalist
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
1,759 observations
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
1,605 observations
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
1,368 observations
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
1,235 observations
Southern California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major
1,005 observations · iNaturalist
Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
953 observations
Blainville's Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
922 observations · iNaturalist
Western Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris
798 observations
Western Spadefoot
Spea hammondii
664 observations
Western Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus
644 observations
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
642 observations
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
640 observations
Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
639 observations · iNaturalist
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
408 observations · iNaturalist
Coastal Rosy Boa
Lichanura orcutti
315 observations · iNaturalist
San Diegan Legless Lizard
Anniella stebbinsi
305 observations · iNaturalist
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
297 observations
Moorish Gecko
Tarentola mauritanica
260 observations · iNaturalist
Coast Night Snake
Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus
235 observations · iNaturalist
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus laevis
201 observations
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
198 observations
Mediterranean House Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus
167 observations
Granite Night Lizard
Xantusia henshawi
163 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
163 observations · iNaturalist
Western Threadsnake
Rena humilis
153 observations · iNaturalist
Brahminy Blindsnake
Indotyphlops braminus
135 observations
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
126 observations
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
113 observations
California Tree Frog
Pseudacris cadaverina
111 observations · iNaturalist
Western Black-headed Snake
Tantilla planiceps
87 observations
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
74 observations
California Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
73 observations · iNaturalist
Western Banded Gecko
Coleonyx variegatus
71 observations
Gilbert's Skink
Plestiodon gilberti
61 observations · iNaturalist
Baja California Coachwhip
Masticophis fuliginosus
45 observations · iNaturalist
Western Glossy Snake
Arizona occidentalis
45 observations · iNaturalist
Flat-tailed House Gecko
Hemidactylus platyurus
43 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Anole
Anolis sagrei
40 observations
Western Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma mavortium
33 observations · iNaturalist
Arboreal Salamander
Aneides lugubris
33 observations
Arroyo Toad
Anaxyrus californicus
24 observations · iNaturalist
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
23 observations
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
16 observations