Reptiles of Arizona

Arizona boasts a wide variety of reptiles, especially in the desert. Since reptiles are ectothermic, regulating their body temperature by absorbing environmental heat, the consistently sunny weather and warm temperatures mean reptiles can flourish. There are two major orders of reptiles that dominate. The Testudines includes turtles and tortoises, while the Squamata includes snakes and lizards. There hundreds of species of reptiles in the state including 12 species of viper.

  1. Coachwhip

    • The coachwhip snake comes in several varieties including the Sonoran coachwhip, the lined coachwhip and the red racer, which is the most widely distributed. They grow to be about 68 inches and are predatory, capable even of feeding on rattlesnakes. The coachwhip prefers desert scrub land and while it is nonvenomous, it is quick to bite.

    King Snake

    • Several varieties of king snake live in Arizona, including the California king snake, the western black king snake and the desert king snake. They can reach about 56 inches and have a base coloring of black or brown but often exhibit stripes of yellow or tan. They are distributed through most of southern and western Arizona, especially the California king snake.

    Sonoran Coral Snake

    • The Sonoran coral snake is spread through southern and central Arizona and is highly venomous. It grows to be about 24 inches long and is banded with black, yellow and red bands. Other nonvenomous snakes in Arizona have similar patterns, like the western shovel-nosed snake and the Sonoran shovel-nosed snake. The coral snake, which is related to cobras and mambas, has red bands touching yellow on each side.

    Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

    • The western diamondback is the most well known and largest of the nearly one dozen Arizona rattler species. It is a venomous snake famous for its rattling tail, which it uses to warn would-be predators of the danger of getting too close, though it will prefer to retreat before striking. Like other pit vipers, it has heat sensors in small pits on its head. It is located throughout western, central and southern Arizona.

    Sidewinder

    • Another famous Arizona resident, the sidewinder is rattling pit viper that includes several subspecies. It is only about 25 inches long, but its very dangerous. It gets its name from its sideways locomotion, which leaves J-shaped marks in the desert sands where it lives.

    Desert Tortoise

    • The desert tortoise is distributed throughout western, southern and central Arizona and has a domed shell about 15 inches in diameter. It prefers desert scrub land and is mostly active in the daytime. Like all tortoises, it is entirely terrestrial. It is a federally protected species.

    Arizona Mud Turtle

    • The Arizona mud turtle is one of three species of mud turtle found in the state. About 6 inches in length, it has a flat carapace and tends to seek out temporary sources of water like pools, ponds, ditches and even cattle tanks.

    Spiny Softshell Turtle

    • The spiny softshell turtle lives in the rivers, ponds and lakes of Arizona and prefers quiet, shallow waters. Its leathery shell is disc shaped and it is easily identified by its odd snout, which looks a bit like a short trunk or snorkel. It is carnivorous, but will eat plants as well.

    Gila Monster

    • The gila monster is a rounded lizard a little over a foot long with a short tail and distinctive black and reddish pink markings on the body. It is a rare venomous lizard that distributes poison from glands in its lower jaw, but it is not normally aggressive unless provoked. It is a protected species in Arizona.

    Goode's Horned Lizard

    • One of a handful of horned lizard species, the Goode's Horned Lizard is found in far southwestern Arizona in the desert. It has two horny protrusions behind the eyes, tan, orange and black markings and a white underbelly. It lives off a diet of insects and spiders.