Reptiles & Amphibians of San Diego, California
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted near San Diego, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
56,355
recent observations
50
species listed
50
reptiles & amphibians
Naturalists have logged 56,355 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near San Diego. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 20,202 recorded sightings.
Rarer finds confirmed near San Diego include Green Sea Turtle - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians near San Diego
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
20,202 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
5,161 observations
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
4,221 observations
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
3,062 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
2,260 observations
Pacific chorus frog
Pseudacris regilla
2,194 observations
Orange-throated Whiptail
Aspidoscelis hyperythrus
2,046 observations · iNaturalist
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
1,786 observations
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
1,700 observations
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
1,384 observations
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
1,257 observations
Southern California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major
1,020 observations · iNaturalist
Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
957 observations
Blainville's Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
946 observations · iNaturalist
Western Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris
817 observations
Western Spadefoot
Spea hammondii
667 observations
Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
656 observations · iNaturalist
Western Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus
652 observations
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
651 observations
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
647 observations
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
417 observations · iNaturalist
Coastal Rosy Boa
Lichanura orcutti
322 observations · iNaturalist
San Diegan Legless Lizard
Anniella stebbinsi
307 observations · iNaturalist
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
298 observations
Moorish Gecko
Tarentola mauritanica
272 observations · iNaturalist
Coast Night Snake
Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus
240 observations · iNaturalist
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
207 observations
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus laevis
204 observations
Mediterranean House Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus
172 observations
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
165 observations · iNaturalist
Western Threadsnake
Rena humilis
155 observations · iNaturalist
Granite Night Lizard
Xantusia henshawi
140 observations · iNaturalist
Brahminy Blindsnake
Indotyphlops braminus
140 observations
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
131 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
75 observations
California Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
73 observations · iNaturalist
Western Banded Gecko
Coleonyx variegatus
71 observations
Gilbert's Skink
Plestiodon gilberti
63 observations · iNaturalist
Flat-tailed House Gecko
Hemidactylus platyurus
45 observations · iNaturalist
Baja California Coachwhip
Masticophis fuliginosus
45 observations · iNaturalist
Western Glossy Snake
Arizona occidentalis
45 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
25 observations · iNaturalist
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
23 observations
Indo-Pacific House Gecko
Hemidactylus garnotii
17 observations · iNaturalist
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