Big Cypress

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Big Cypress National Preserve Florida Reptiles of the Swamp... Probably the most noticeable animal within the Everglades and the Big Cypress Swamp is the American alligator. This large reptile is commonly seen during the winter dry seasons when water is scarce. Other reptiles include snakes, crocodillians, skinks, geckos, turtles and lizards. Reptiles are animals that have scales and breath air. Many of the species classified in this group lay eggs. These animals are often misunderstood and feared. However, they play a vital role in the environment. For example, if it were not for alligators making “gator holes” many species that depend on water would perish during South Florida’s dry season. Watching wildlife the responsible way... The thrill of watching a wild animal in its native surroundings is spectacular and awe inspiring. While visiting Big Cypress National Preserve, or any other natural area, remember: • A  ll wildlife is wild and unpredictable. Stay a safe distance from any wild animal —15 feet is recommended. • View wildlife with respect. • Never feed wildlife. • All plants and animals within national park areas are protected, it is illegal to collect any wildlife without special permits. Compare the American crocodile photo (above) with the Amerian alligator photo (cover page). Can you discern the differences in appearance? CROCODILIANS Alligators ___American alligator Scientific Name Alligator Mississippiensis Also known as: Florida, Louisiana, or Mississppi alligator, gator Crocodiles ___American crocodile Crocodylus acutus Also known as: Caiman de la costa, cocodrilo de tumbes, Central American alligator, cocodrilo, lagarto How You Behave Can Save Do Not Feed or Harass Wildlife EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA! Big Cypress Reptiles Scientific Name SCALED REPTILES Legless Lizards ___Slender glass lizard ___Island glass lizard ___Eastern glass lizard Ophisaurus attenuatus Ophisaurus compressus Ophisaurus ventralis Snakes ___Burmese python* ___Florida scarlet snake ___Everglades racer ___Southern ringneck snake ___Eastern inidgo snake ___Corn snake ___Yellow rat snake ___Everglades rat snake ___Eastern mud snake ___Eastern hog-nosed snake ___Florida kingsnake ___Eastern kingsnake ___Scarlet kingsnake ___Eastern coachwhip ___Florida green water snake ___Mangrove salt marsh snake ___Brown water snake ___Rough green snake ___Striped crayfish snake ___South Florida swamp snake ___Florida brown snake ___Peninsula ribbon snake ___Common garter snake Python molorus bivittaus Cemophora coccinea coccinea Coluber constrictor paludicola Diadophis punctatus punctatus Drymarchon corais couperi Elaphe guttata guttata Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni Farancia abacura abacura Heterodon platirhinos Lampropeltis getula floridana Lampropeltis getula getula Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides Masticophis flagellum flagellum Nerodia floridana Nerodia clarkii compressicauda Nerodia taxispilota Opheodrys aestivus Regina alleni Seminatrix pygaea cyclas Storeria dekayi victa Thamnophis sauritus sackenii Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Iguana iguana Elapids Venomous ___Eastern coral snake Micrurus fulvius fulvius Eumeces inexpectatus Scincella lateralis Vipers Venomous ___Dusky pigmy rattlesnake ___Eastern diamondback rattlesnake ___Florida cottomouth Sistrurus miliarius barbouri Crotalus adamanteus Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti Blind snakes ___Brahminy blind snake* Rhamphotyphlops braminus TURTLES, TORTOISES, TERRAPINS Snapping turtles ___Florida snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina osceola Small Turtles ___Striped mud turtle ___Florida mud turtle ___Common musk turtle Kinosternon baurii Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri Sternotherus odoratus Box and water turtles ___Peninsula cooter ___Florida red-bellied turtle ___Florida chicken turtle ___Florida box turtle Pseudemys floridana peninsularis Pseudemys nelsoni Deirochelys reticularia chrysea Terrapene carolina bauri Tortoises ___Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus Softshelled Turtles ___ Florida softshell turtle Apalone ferox LIZARDS Geckos ___Indo-Pacific gecko* ___Mediterranean gecko* ___Cosmopolitan house gecko* Hemidactylus garnotii Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus Hemidactylus mabouia Anoles ___Green anole ___Brown anole* Anolis carolinensis Anolis sagrei Iguanas ___Green iguana* Skinks ___Southeastern five-lined skink ___Ground skink reptile name* = introduced species Scientific Name Reptiles of Big Cypress... Left to right: Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis); Corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata);Scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides); Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius). Reptile Checklist_FINAL.indd on HQ shareall, interp publications, 2,000 printed, 10/2011, stored at Oasis and WC