NPS, G. Wagner
Snapping turtle crossing the road
Only a few species of reptiles occur within Pipestone National Monument. Turtles enjoy the waters of Pipestone Creek and the ephemeral ponds that occur throughout the prairie. Garter snakes and skinks prefer the Sioux quartzite prairie. The following reptiles have been recorded within Pipestone National Monument:
Family
Common Name Scientific name
| Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae) |
| Common Snapping Turtle |
Chelydra serpentina |
| Pond, Marsh, and Box Turtles (Emydidae) |
| Western Painted Turtle |
Chrysemys picta |
| Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae) |
| Western Plains Garter Snake |
Thamnophis sp. |
| Skinks (Scincidae) |
| Northern Prairie Skink |
Eumeces spetentrionalis |
