Reptiles encompass a range of animals that include turtles, lizards, and snakes. Twenty-five species of reptiles inhabit the Santa MonicaMountains, including two turtles (one non-native), seven lizards and 16 snakes.

Reptiles are referred to as “cold-blooded” (or ectothermic) animals because they cannot maintain their body heat. Instead, they rely on gathering and losing heat from the environment. On nice, warm days in the Santa Monica Mountains, a variety of reptiles can be seen sunning on rocks or in the middle of dirt trails. An advantage of being “cold-blooded” is that it allows reptiles to survive on much less food than “warm-blooded” animals such as mammals and birds, who burn much of their food for warmth.

Most reptiles are oviparous (egg-laying), although some are also capable of giving live birth. The southern Pacific rattlesnake is the only reptile in the Santa Monica Mountains that gives birth to live young.

Click here to download a checklist of the reptiles of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.