Western Banded Gecko

Reptiles > Geckos

The Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) is an enchanting, delicate nocturnal reptile native to the sun-baked deserts of the American Southwest. Unlike the majority of tropical geckos that lack eyelids and possess sticky adhesive toe pads, this primitive desert...

Sierra Garter Snake

Reptiles > Snakes

The Sierra Garter Snake (Thamnophis couchii) is a highly specialized, semi-aquatic colubrid snake endemic to the pristine granite river systems and tumbling snowmelt streams of California’s Sierra Nevada. Unlike terrestrial garter snakes that hunt in grassy...

Great Basin Collared Lizard

Reptiles > Lizards

The Great Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores), also celebrated as the Desert Collared Lizard, is a fierce, athletic reptile native to the sun-scorched boulder piles and basalt canyons of the American Great Basin. Instantly recognized by its broad, massive...

Santa Cruz Garter Snake

Reptiles > Colubrids

The Santa Cruz Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus), also widely known as the Aquatic Garter Snake, is a handsome, semi-aquatic predator native to the rocky streams and coastal woodlands of California and Oregon. Frequently observed swimming with effortless grace through...

Forest Sharp-tailed Snake

Reptiles > Colubrids

The Forest Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia longicauda) is a diminutive, secretive woodland reptile endemic to the ancient, fog-drenched redwood and conifer forests of northern California and southern Oregon. Named for the sharp, thorn-like spine at the very tip of its...

Northwestern Garter Snake

Reptiles > Colubrids & Harmless Snakes

The Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) is a gentle, charming, and extraordinarily polymorphic harmless serpent native to the lush maritime habitats of the Pacific Northwest. Famous among herpetologists as one of the most colorfully variable snakes in...

Gilbert’s Skink

Reptiles > Lizards & Skinks

Gilbert’s Skink (Plestiodon gilberti) is a large, handsome, smooth-scaled lizard endemic to the sun-drenched oak foothills and chaparral canyons of California. Famous for the extraordinary, high-contrast neon coloration of its juveniles—which sport an...

Western Pond Turtle

Reptiles > Turtles

The Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata), also known as the Pacific Pond Turtle, is the only native freshwater turtle widely distributed along the Pacific Coast of North America. Renowned for its shy, wary nature and intricately marbled olive-brown carapace, this...

Texas Night Snake

Reptiles > Snakes

The Texas Night Snake (Hypsiglena jani) is a small, secretive, rear-fanged colubrid native to the rocky canyonlands and arid scrub of the American Southwest and Mexico. Instantly recognizable by its striking cat-like vertical pupil eyes and three prominent dark brown...

Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Reptiles > Colubrids

The Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon) is a lightning-fast, non-venomous diurnal serpent native to the sunny meadows and brushy foothills of the American West. Revered by herpetologists for its incredible agility and intense visual curiosity,...