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Wind Cave National Park
Reptiles
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Turtles
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Remarks |
| Common Snapping Turtle |
Chelydra serpentina |
Common, found along streams in park |
| Western Painted Turtle |
Chrysemys picta |
Common in suitable habitat, Smooth shell; shallow water, soft muddy bottoms |
Snakes
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Remarks |
| Red-Sided Garter Snake |
Thamnophis sirtalis |
Fairly common, red or orange bars on side; often found near water
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| Wandering Garter Snake |
Thamnophis elegans |
Abundant, found near water, may wander into dry areas |
| Western Plains Garter Snake |
Thamnophis radix |
Rare, found near prairie ponds |
| Black Hills Red-bellied Snake |
Storeria occipitomaculata |
Rare, small secretive snake, found in wooded areas |
| Plains Western Hognose Snake |
Heterodon nasicus |
Rare, sharply upturned snout; prefers dry sandy areas |
| Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer |
Coluber constrictor |
Common, olive green; active through the day |
| Bullsnake |
Pituophis melanoleucus
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Abundant, large yellowish snake with dorsal blotches |
| Pale Milk Snake |
Lampropeltis triangulum |
Rare, black, orange, and gray snake with light snout |
| Smooth Green Snake |
Opheodrys vernalis
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Rare, gentle, bright green snake, largely terrestrial
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| Prairie Rattlesnake |
Crotalus viridis |
Abundant, venomous; frequently found in rocky areas, ledges and prairie dog towns
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Lizards
Lizards may occur in the park since their known geographic ranges include this area. However, there have been no recorded observations.
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Bibliography
Reptiles and Amphibians
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Did You Know?
Wind Cave became a national park in 1903. It is one of the nation's oldest national parks. Today the park not only protects the 4th longest cave in the world, it protects an amazing prairie ecosystem and the wildlife associated with it.
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Last Updated: July 27, 2006 at 17:19 EST |
