CHECKLIST OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ALABAMA

156 Native Species, 5 Exotic Species

Compiled and maintained by the Alabama Natural Heritage Program

Common names appear first in the following list, but the list is alphabetized by class, order, family, genus, species, and subspecies.  Subspecies names are provided if they exist in Alabama as distinct forms, not merely as intergrades influencing other subspecies.  The list is modified from The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama (R. Mount, 1975). Current nomenclature generally follows Conant and Collins, A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central North America (1991).

Species protected by federal law and/or state rules and regulations are noted.  Exotic (non-native) species which have escaped or were released and now have (or may have) breeding populations in Alabama are also indicated.

Protected: USFWS = Federally Protected (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed as either Threatened or Endangered)
Protected: ADCNR = State Protected (Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources)

Amphibians--Class AMPHIBIA  (74)

Frogs and Toads--Order ANURA  (30)

"True" Toads--Family BUFONIDAE  (4)
American toad, Bufo americanus americanus
oak toad, Bufo quercicus
southern toad, Bufo terrestris
Fowler's toad, Bufo woodhousii fowleri

Treefrogs and Kin--Family HYLIDAE  (15)
northern cricket frog, Acris crepitans crepitans
southern cricket frog, Acris gryllus gryllus
Pine Barrens treefrog, Hyla andersonii  --Protected: ADCNR
bird-voiced treefrog, Hyla avivoca
Cope's gray treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis
green treefrog, Hyla cinerea
pine woods treefrog, Hyla femoralis
barking treefrog, Hyla gratiosa
squirrel treefrog, Hyla squirella
mountain chorus frog, Pseudacris brachyphona
northern spring peeper, Pseudacris crucifer crucifer
southern chorus frog, Pseudacris nigrita nigrita
little grass frog, Pseudacris ocularis
ornate chorus frog, Pseudacris ornata
upland chorus frog, Pseudacris triseriata feriarum

Tropical Frogs--Family LEPTODACTYLIDAE  (1)
greenhouse frog, Eleutherodactylus planirostris planirostris [exotic, established]

Narrowmouthed Toads--Family MICROHYLIDAE  (1)
eastern narrowmouth toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis

Spadefoot Toads--Family PELOBATIDAE  (1)
eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii holbrookii

"True" Frogs--Family RANIDAE  (8)
dusky gopher frog , Rana capito sevosa  --Protected: ADCNR
bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana
bronze frog, Rana clamitans ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: bronze frog, Rana clamitans clamitans
       SUBSPECIES: green frog, Rana clamitans melanota
pig frog, Rana grylio
river frog, Rana heckscheri
pickerel frog, Rana palustris
southern leopard frog, Rana utricularia
wood frog, Rana sylvatica

Salamanders--Order CAUDATA  (44)

Mole Salamanders--Family AMBYSTOMATIDAE   (6)
flatwoods salamander, Ambystoma cingulatum --Protected: ADCNR
spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum
marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum
mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum
smallmouth salamander, Ambystoma texanum
eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum

Amphiumas--Family AMPHIUMIDAE   (3)
two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means
one-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma pholeter
three-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma tridactylum

Giant Salamanders--Family CRYPTOBRANCHIDAE   (1)
eastern hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis  --Protected: ADCNR

Woodland or Lungless Salamanders--Family PLETHODONTIDAE  (26)
green salamander, Aneides aeneus   --Protected: ADCNR
seepage salamander, Desmognathus aeneus
Apalachicola salamander, Desmognathus apalachicolae
southern dusky salamander, Desmognathus auriculatus
dusky salamander, Desmognathus fuscus
seal salamander, Desmognathus monticola ssp.  --Protected: ADCNR  (Coastal Plain populations only)
mountain dusky salamander, Desmognathus ochrophaeus
brown-backed salamander, Eurycea aquatica
southern two-lined salamander, Eurycea cirrigera
long-tailed salamander, Eurycea longicauda ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: long-tailed salamander, Eurycea longicauda longicauda
       SUBSPECIES: three-lined salamander, Eurycea longicauda guttolineata
cave salamander, Eurycea lucifuga
dwarf salamander, Eurycea quadridigitata
Tennessee cave salamander, Gyrinophilus palleucus ssp. --Protected: ADCNR
spring salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus ssp.
four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum
Red Hills salamander, Phaeognathus hubrichti  --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS
eastern zigzag salamander, Plethodon dorsalis dorsalis
slimy salamanders, Plethodon glutinosus, P. grobmani, P. mississippi (three very similar species)
southern redback salamander, Plethodon serratus
Webster's salamander, Plethodon websteri
Gulf Coast mud salamander, Pseudotriton montanus flavissimus 
red salamander, Pseudotriton ruber ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: northern red salamander, Pseudotriton ruber ruber
       SUBSPECIES: southern red salamander, Pseudotriton ruber vioscai
 
Mudpuppies and Waterdogs--Family PROTEIDAE  (4)
Alabama waterdog, Necturus alabamensis
Gulf Coast waterdog, Necturus beyeri
mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus
Black Warrior waterdog, Necturus sp

Newts--Family SALAMANDRIDAE  (1)
eastern newt, Notophthalmus viridescens ssp.
      SUBSPECIES: central newt, Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis
      SUBSPECIES: red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens

Sirens--Family SIRENIDAE  (3)
lesser siren, Siren intermedia
greater siren, Siren lacertina
undescribed siren, Siren sp.

Reptiles--Class REPTILIA  (86)

Crocodilians--Order CROCODYLIA  (1)

Alligators and Caimans--Family ALLIGATORIDAE  (1)
American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis   --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS

Lizards and Snakes--Order SQUAMATA

Lizards--Suborder LACERTILIA  (15)

Glass Lizards--Family ANGUIDAE  (3)
slender glass lizard, Ophisaurus attenuatus
mimic glass lizard, Ophisaurus mimicus
eastern glass lizard, Ophisaurus ventralis

Geckoes--Family GEKKONIDAE  (2)
Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus [exotic, established]
Indo-Pacific gecko, Hemidactylus garnotii [exotic, possibly established]

Spiny Lizards and Kin--Family PHRYNOSOMATIDAE  (2)
Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum [exotic, possibly established]
eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus

Anoles--Family POLYCHRIDAE  (2)
green anole, Anolis carolinensis
brown anole, Anolis sagrei  [exotic, possibly established]

Skinks--Family SCINCIDAE  (6)
southern coal skink, Eumeces anthracinus pluvialis 
northern mole skink, Eumeces egregius similis 
five-lined skink, Eumeces fasciatus
southeastern 5-lined skink, Eumeces inexpectatus
broad-headed skink, Eumeces laticeps
ground skink, Scincella lateralis

Whiptails--Family TEIIDAE  (1)
six-lined racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus

Snakes--Suborder SERPENTES  (40)

Colubrids--Family COLUBRIDAE  (34)
worm snake, Carphophis amoenus ssp.
      SUBSPECIES: eastern worm snake, Carphophis amoenus amoenus
      SUBSPECIES: midwest worm snake, Carphophis amoenus helenae
scarlet snake, Cemophora coccinea
black racer, Coluber constrictor ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: northern black racer, Coluber constrictor constrictor
       SUBSPECIES: southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus
ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus ssp.
eastern indigo snake, Drymarchon corais couperi --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS
corn snake, Elaphe guttata guttata
gray rat snake, Elaphe obsoleta spiloides
mud snake, Farancia abacura ssp.
      SUBSPECIES: eastern mud snake, Farancia abacura abacura
      SUBSPECIES: western mud snake, Farancia abacura reinwardti 
rainbow snake, Farancia erytrogramma erytrogramma
eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos
southern hognose snake Heterodon simus  --Protected: ADCNR
mole kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster ssp.
      SUBSPECIES: prairie kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster
      SUBSPECIES: mole kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata
common kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula
       SUBSPECIES: eastern kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula getula
       SUBSPECIES: speckled kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki 
       SUBSPECIES: black kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula niger
milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum
       SUBSPECIES: scarlet kingsnake, Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides  
       SUBSPECIES: red milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum syspila 
       SUBSPECIES: eastern milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
eastern coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum flagellum  --Protected: ADCNR
Gulf salt marsh snake, Nerodia clarkii clarkii --Protected: ADCNR
green water snake, Nerodia cyclopion
plainbelly water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster ssp.
banded water snake, Nerodia fasciata fasciata
Florida green water snake, Nerodia floridana
diamondback water snake, Nerodia rhombifer
midland water snake, Nerodia sipedon
brown water snake, Nerodia taxispilota
rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus
pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: black pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi --Protected: ADCNR
       SUBSPECIES: northern pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus --Protected: ADCNR
       SUBSPECIES: Florida pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus --Protected: ADCNR
glossy water snake, Regina rigida sinicola 
queen snake, Regina septemvittata
pine woods snake, Rhadinaea flavilata
north Florida swamp snake, Seminatrix pygaea pygaea
midland brown snake, Storeria dekayi wrightorum 
northern red-bellied snake, Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata
southeastern crowned snake, Tantilla coronata
eastern ribbon snake, Thamnophis sauritus sauritus
eastern garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
rough earth snake, Virginia striatula
smooth earth snake, Virginia valeriae ssp.

Coral Snakes--Family ELAPIDAE  (1)
eastern coral snake, Micrurus fulvius fulvius   VENOMOUS

Vipers--Family VIPERIDAE   (5)
copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix ssp. VENOMOUS
     SUBSPECIES: southern copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix
     SUBSPECIES: northern copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson
cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus  ssp.  VENOMOUS
     SUBSPECIES: Florida cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti
     SUBSPECIES: western cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma
     SUBSPECIES: eastern cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus
eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus   VENOMOUS
timber (canebrake) rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus   VENOMOUS
pigmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius ssp.  VENOMOUS
     SUBSPECIES: dusky pigmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri 
     SUBSPECIES: Carolina pigmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius miliarius
     SUBSPECIES: western pigmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius streckeri 

Turtles--Order TESTUDINES   (30)

Sea Turtles--Family CHELONIIDAE   (4)
loggerhead, Caretta caretta    --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS
green turtle, Chelonia mydas --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS
Atlantic hawksbill , Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS
Atlantic ridley, Lepidochelys kempii  --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS

Snapping Turtles--Family CHELYDRIDAE   (2)
common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina serpentina
alligator snapping turtle, Macroclemys temminckii  --Protected: ADCNR

Leatherback Sea Turtle--Family Dermochelyidae   (1)
leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea  --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS

Box and Water Turtles--Family EMYDIDAE  (14)
painted turtle, Chrysemys picta ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: southern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta dorsalis
       SUBSPECIES: midland painted turtle, Chrysemys picta marginata
       SUBSPECIES: eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta picta
eastern chicken turtle, Deirochelys reticularia reticularia
Barbour's map turtle, Graptemys barbouri  --Protected: ADCNR
Ernst's map turtle, Graptemys ernsti  --Protected: ADCNR
common map turtle, Graptemys geographica
black-knobbed sawback, Graptemys nigrinoda ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: southern black-knobbed sawback, Graptemys nigrinoda delticola 
       SUBSPECIES: northern black-knobbed sawback, Graptemys nigrinoda nigrinoda
Ouachita map turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica ouachitensis
Alabama map turtle, Graptemys pulchra --Protected: ADCNR
Mississippi diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin pileata  --Protected: ADCNR
Alabama red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys alabamensis  --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS (Alabama's official state reptile)
river cooter, Pseudemys concinna concinna
Florida cooter, Pseudemys floridana floridana
box turtle, Terrapene carolina ssp. --Protected: ADCNR
slider Trachemys scripta ssp.
      SUBSPECIES: red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegans
      SUBSPECIES: yellow-bellied slider Trachemys scripta scripta

Mud and Musk Turtles--Family KINOSTERNIDAE  (5)
eastern mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum
razorback musk turtle, Sternotherus carinatus
flattened musk turtle, Sternotherus depressus  --Protected: ADCNR and USFWS
loggerhead musk turtle, Sternotherus minor ssp.
     SUBSPECIES: loggerhead musk turtle, Sternotherus minor minor
     SUBSPECIES: stripe-necked musk turtle, Sternotherus minor peltifer
common musk turtle (stinkpot), Sternotherus odoratus

Tortoises--Family TESTUDINIDAE  (1)
gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus  --Protected: ADCNR (rangewide) and USFWS (Mobile, Washington, & Choctaw counties)

Softshell Turtles--Family TRIONYCHIDAE  (3)
Florida softshell, Apalone ferox
smooth softshell, Apalone mutica ssp.
       SUBSPECIES: Gulf Coast smooth softshell turtle, Apalone mutica calvata 
       SUBSPECIES: midland smooth softshell turtle, Apalone mutica mutica
spiny softshell, Apalone spinifera ssp.
      SUBSPECIES: Gulf Coast spiny softshell, Apalone spinifera aspera 
      SUBSPECIES: eastern spiny softshell, Apalone spinifera spinifera

End of list.

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