List of reptiles of Massachusetts

This is a list of Massachusetts reptiles. It includes all reptiles currently found in Massachusetts. It does not include species found only in captivity.

Snakes

Name Species/Authority Order Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Northern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
SnakeViperidaeRare; Endangered in the state; Found in Norfolk, Berkshire, and Hampden Counties
Black racer
Coluber constrictor
SnakeColubridaeLocally Common although Declining; Statewide except Nantucket
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
SnakeViperidaeEndangered in the state; Very Rare; Found in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Norfolk counties
Eastern worm snake
Carphophis ameonus amoenus
SnakeColubridaeRare and Threatened in the Commonwealth; found only in the Southern Connecticut River Valley in Hampden and Hampshire Counties
Ring-necked snake
Diadophis punctatus
SnakeColubridaeCommon and Widspread in the Commonwealth; Statewide
Eastern hog-nosed snake
Heterodon platirhinos
SnakeColubridaeUncommon; Distribution is spotty however it's not found in Berkshire, Nantucket, and Dukes County
Eastern Milk snake
Lampropeltis triangulum
SnakeColubridaeCommon; Statewide
Northern water snake
Nerodia sipedon
SnakeColubridaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County
Smooth green snake
Opheodrys vernalis
SnakeColubridaeCommon but Declining due to habitat loss; Statewide
Black Rat snake
Pantherophis obsoletus
SnakeColubridaeEndangered in the Commonwealth; Very Rare; Found only in Southern Worcester County and the Connecticut River Valley
DeKay's brown snake
Storeria dekayi
SnakeColubridaeCommon; Statewide except Martha's Vineyard island and Nantucket
Brahminy blind snake
Ramphotyphlops braminus
SnakeTyphlopidaeIntroduced; Reported to occur only in and around Boston; Status unclear
Northern redbelly snake
Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata
SnakeColubridaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket
Ribbon snake
Thamnophis sauritus
SnakeColubridaeCommon but Declining; Statewide
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
SnakeColubridaeCommon; Statewide

Turtles

Name Species/Authority Order Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Loggerhead sea turtle
Caretta caretta
TurtleCheloniidaeCoastal waters of Southeastern Mass; One record in Essex County in 2008; Endangered federally and in the Commonwealth
Green sea turtle
Chelonia mydas
TurtleCheloniidaeReported from Dukes, Nantucket, and Cape Cod; Very Rare; Listed as Threatened in the Commonwealth and Endangered Federally
Common snapping turtle
Chelydra serpentina
TurtleChelydridaeCommon; Statewide
Painted turtle
Chrysemys picta
TurtleEmydidaeCommon; Statewide
Spotted turtle
Clemmys guttataTurtleEmydidaeLocally Common to Uncommon; statewide except Northern Berkshire County and Suffolk County
Leatherback sea turtle
Dermochelys coriaceaTurtleDermochelyidaeCoastal Southeastern waters; Rare; Endangered
Blanding's turtle
Emydoidea blandingiiTurtleEmydidaeScattered populations in Eastern Mass; Rare; Threatened in the Commonwealth
Hawksbill sea turtle
Eretmochelys imbricataTurtleCheloniidaeRare vagrant; Recorded in 1909, 1968, and 1989; Endangered
Wood turtle
Glyptemys insculptaTurtleEmydidaeUncommon; Statewide anywhere north and west of Bristol County and Plymouth County; Listed as Special Concern
Bog turtle
Glyptemys muhlenbergiiTurtleEmydidaeVery Rare; Found only in Berkshire County; Endangered in the Commonwealth and Federally
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
Lepidochelys kempiiTurtleCheloniidaeRecorded from Cape Cod, Dukes County, and Nantucket; Listed as Endangered in the Commonwealth
Diamondback terrapin
Malaclemys terrapinTurtleEmydidaeUncommon; Found in Cape Cod, Plymouth County, and Bristol County; Listed as Threatened Federally and in the Commonwealth
Northern red-bellied cooter
Pseudemys rubriventrisTurtleEmydidaeRare; Found only in Plymouth County; Listed as Endangered
Eastern musk turtle
Sternotherus odoratusTurtleKinosternidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket Counties
Eastern box turtle
Terrapene carolina carolinaTurtleEmydidaeUncommon; Statwide except possibly Nantucket; Listed as Special Concern
Red-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegansTurtleEmydidaeIntroduced; May occur Statewide and probably Common

Lizards

Name Species/Authority Order Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Common Five-lined Skink
Plestidon fasciatus
LizardScincidaeExtirpated; Formerly Western and Southern Massachusetts, but is now extinct in these areas due to habitat loss

References

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