Reptiles

"Rattlesnakes are only too plentiful everywhere; along the river bottoms, in the broken, hilly ground, and on the prairies and the great desert wastes alike...If it can it will get out of the way, and only coils up in its attitude of defence when it believes that it is actually menaced." Theodore Roosevelt

North Dakota has a sparse fauna of amphibians and reptiles. While individual populations may get quite high, species diversity is low. The semi-arid climate provides only marginal conditions for breeding and hibernation of amphibians, while low winter temperatures and the short growing season appear to be primary limiting factors for reptiles. Several of the species listed below are very rare or infrequently found and are in quite localized populations.

Slimy or dry, snakes, lizards, and salamanders are some of the most feared and misunderstood members of the animal kingdom. The prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is the only poisonous reptile in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They have more reason to fear us than we do them. The rattlesnake will ignore or avoid us unless surprised or provoked. Do not attempt to capture or kill snakes. Observe and enjoy them from a distance and remember that all wildlife is protected in a national park.

Common sense and an appreciation for the benefits and beauty of reptiles and amphibians will protect both them and you.

Order	Common Name	Scientific Name
REPTILES	Common Snapping Turtle	Chelydra serpentina
	Western Painted Turtle	Chrysemys picta
	Soft-shelled Turtle	Trionyx muticus
	Sagebrush Lizard	Sceloporus graciosus
	Short-horned Lizard	Phrynosoma douglassi
	Western Plains Garter Snake	Thamnophis radix
	Red-sided Garter Snake	Thamnophis sirtalis
	Western Smooth Green Snake	Opheodrys vernalis
	Plains Hognose Snake	Heterodon nasicus
	Yellow-bellied (Blue) Racer	Coluber constrictor
	Bullsnake (Gopher Snake)	Pituophis melanoleucus
	Prairie Rattlesnake	Crotalus viridis

 

Yellow-bellied racer