List of reptiles of West Virginia

Northern red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)
Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina)
Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
Northern pine snake (P. m. melanoleucus)
Snake handlers worshipping with a timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Eastern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Black rat snakes (Pantherophis obsoletus) mating
Northern copperhead (A. c. mokasen)
Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

There are 39 species of reptiles whose ranges include at least parts of the state of West Virginia, USA. With 20 species of snakes, 13 turtle species, and 6 lizard species, the state's reptile diversity is high. However, many of these species are declining in population due to habitat destruction, water pollution, and the killing of reptiles out of ignorant fear.[1]

The taxa

The following letters indicate the likelihood of finding each animal in West Virginia:[2]

CCommonCan be commonly seen in suitable habitat within current range.
UUncommonSeldom seen because habitat restricted and/or behavior secretive.
RRareNot often present even in suitable habitat.

In addition, the IUCN classifies two of these species as endangered EN, one as vulnerable VU, and one as near-threatened NT.

Order Testudines (turtles)

Family Chelydridae (snapping turtles)

Family Emydidae (pond turtles)

Family Kinosternidae (mud turtles and musk turtles)

Family Trionychidae (softshells)

Order Squamata (scaled reptiles)

Family Phrynosomatidae (spiny lizards)

Family Teiidae (whiptails)

Family Scincidae (skinks)

Family Colubridae (colubrid snakes)

Family Viperidae (vipers)

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/RepAmph.shtm
  2. ↑ http://www.wvdnr.gov/Publications/PDFFiles/amphibian%20checklist2.pdf
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