Washington is home to 25 native species of reptiles, including 6 species of native turtles (2 freshwater turtles and 4 sea turtles), 7 species of lizards, and 12 species of snakes. Besides the native reptiles, several species of freshwater turtles have been introduced to Washington. None of the native reptiles are found only in Washington.
We invite you to explore the diversity of northwestern reptiles as shown below in our checklist. You can see pictures and learn more about many of these species by clicking on the links below. Photographs and information about more species will be added soon, so check back regularly!
Common Garter Snake.
Photo by Marc Hayes
Order Testudines (Turtles)
Family
Family Chelydridae (snapping turtles)
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Chelydra serpentina, snapping turtle (introduced)
Family Emydidae (pond turtles)
Family Cheloniidae (sea turtles)
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Caretta caretta, loggerhead turtle
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Chelonia mydas, green turtle
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Lepidochelys olivacea, pacific ridley
Family Dermochelyidae (leatherback turtle)
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Dermochelys coriacea, leatherback turtle
Order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Family
Family Boidae (boas)
Family Colubridae (common snakes)
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Coluber constrictor, racer
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Contia tenuis, sharp-tailed snake
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Diadophis punctatus, ringneck snake
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Hypsiglena torquata, right snake
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Lampropeltis zonata, California mountain kingsnake
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Masticophis taeniatus, striped whipsnake
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Pituophis melanoleucus, gopher snake
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Thamnophis elegans, western terrestrial garter snake
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Thamnophis ordinoides, northwestern garter snake
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Thamnophis sirtalis, common garter snake
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T. s. concinnus, red-spotted garter snake
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T. s. fitchi, valley garter snake
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T. s. pickeringi, Puget Sound garter snake
Family Viperidae (vipers and pit vipers)
Family Phrynosomatidae (spiny lizards)
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Phrynosoma douglassii, short-horned lizard
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Sceloporus graciosus, sagebrush Lizard
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Sceloporus occidentalis, western fence lizard
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Uta stansburiana, side-blotched Lizard
Family Scincidae (skinks)
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Eumeces skiltonianus, western skink
Family Anguidae (alligator lizards)
