Washington is home to 25 native species of reptiles, including 6 species of native turtles (2 freshwater turtles and 4 sea turtles), 7 species of lizards, and 12 species of snakes. Besides the native reptiles, several species of freshwater turtles have been introduced to Washington. None of the native reptiles are found only in Washington.

We invite you to explore the diversity of northwestern reptiles as shown below in our checklist. You can see pictures and learn more about many of these species by clicking on the links below. Photographs and information about more species will be added soon, so check back regularly!

• Chelydridae (snapping turtles)
• Emydidae (pond turtles)
• Cheloniidae (sea turtles)
• Dermochelyidae (leatherback turtle)

Family Chelydridae (snapping turtles)

• Chelydra serpentina, snapping turtle (introduced)

Family Emydidae (pond turtles)

• Chrysemys picta, painted turtle
• Clemmys marmorata, western pond turtle

Family Cheloniidae (sea turtles)

• Caretta caretta, loggerhead turtle
• Chelonia mydas, green turtle
• Lepidochelys olivacea, pacific ridley

Family Dermochelyidae (leatherback turtle)

• Dermochelys coriacea, leatherback turtle

• Phrynosomatidae (spiny lizards)
• Scincidae (skinks)
• Anguidae (alligator lizards)




• Boidae (boas)
• Colubridae (common snakes)
• Viperidae (vipers and pit vipers)

Family Boidae (boas)

• Charina bottae, rubber boa

Family Colubridae (common snakes)

• Coluber constrictor, racer
• Contia tenuis, sharp-tailed snake
• Diadophis punctatus, ringneck snake
• Hypsiglena torquata, right snake
• Lampropeltis zonata, California mountain kingsnake
• Masticophis taeniatus, striped whipsnake
• Pituophis melanoleucus, gopher snake
• Thamnophis elegans, western terrestrial garter snake
• Thamnophis ordinoides, northwestern garter snake
• Thamnophis sirtalis, common garter snake
• T. s. concinnus, red-spotted garter snake
• T. s. fitchi, valley garter snake
• T. s. pickeringi, Puget Sound garter snake

Family Viperidae (vipers and pit vipers)

• Crotalus viridis, western rattlesnake

Family Phrynosomatidae (spiny lizards)

• Phrynosoma douglassii, short-horned lizard
• Sceloporus graciosus, sagebrush Lizard
• Sceloporus occidentalis, western fence lizard
• Uta stansburiana, side-blotched Lizard

Family Scincidae (skinks)

• Eumeces skiltonianus, western skink

Family Anguidae (alligator lizards)