Species

Species

What are priority species?

Whether slimy or scaly, colorful or camouflaged, the many different reptiles and amphibians make our world a more exciting place. But facing exceptional declines, we are at risk of losing some of these incredible species forever. These imperiled reptiles and amphibians are priority species whose habitats the PARCA system aims to protect from further loss and fragmentation. Using scientific criteria and expert review, PARCAs are determined by factors like species rarity, richness, regional responsibility, and landscape integrity—an effort that empowers us to conserve remaining populations of these priority reptiles and amphibians nationwide.
A brown, warty amphibian sits on moist soil and moss-covered ground, blending with its natural surroundings. Its large eyes and bumpy skin are clearly visible in the close-up image, highlighting the ARC Conservancy’s vital wildlife habitat.
WESTERN SPADEFOOT
This western spadefoot will wait for months underground, emerge during a rainstorm, join a chorus of loud trills, and race to breed in pools that might last only weeks.
 
© Kevin Hutcheson

Priority Species

Priority Species

Alligator snapping turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

A large, dark brown reptile—the alligator snapping turtle—partially submerged in muddy water near the base of a tree, with a rough, ridged shell and textured skin. Green leaves and twigs from the ARC area surround the turtle.

This is the largest freshwater turtle in North America, weighing in at over 200 pounds! They have an intimidating shell and jaws that can bite through a broom handle.

© John P. Friel Ph.D.

Box turtle

Terrapene carolina

A close-up of an eastern box turtle, a striking reptile with a domed, yellow-and-black patterned shell and orange-spotted legs, sitting on rocky ground outdoors—perfect for a conservancy's wildlife showcase.

These turtles can draw inside and close up their entire shell, helping them to thrive in all kinds of climates and habitats. They also have incredibly long lifespans, up to a century.

© Scott Byrd

Bog turtle

Glyptemys muhlenbergii

A small reptile with a patterned brown shell and yellow markings on its neck rests on grass and moss, surrounded by green plants and leaves.

Along the greater Appalachians, bog turtles require open canopy wetlands with mucky soils where they bury themselves to regulate body temperature and avoid predators.

© José Garrido

Brazos water snake

Nerodia harteri

A brown reptile with dark markings slithers on sandy, rocky ground under bright sunlight.

Often confused for the venomous water moccasin, the Brazos water snake has an ontogenetic shift–meaning the adults live in a different habitat than the juveniles.

© Jeff Jenkerson

Chiricahua leopard frog

Lithobates chiricahuensis

A green and black spotted amphibian rests on a rough, light-colored rock near the edge of calm water, with part of the frog's body and the water clearly visible in the image.

Native to New Mexico, Arizona and adjacent areas of Mexico, Chiricahua leopard frogs occur in the vicinity of a variety of aquatic habitats, especially near uplands and forested habitats.

© danyz

Desert tortoise

Gopherus agassizii

A desert tortoise, a resilient reptile with a textured, brown shell, sits among dry grass and vegetation in a sunny, arid landscape.

These turtles can draw inside and close up their entire shell, helping them to thrive in all kinds of climates and habitats. They also have incredibly long lifespans, up to a century.

© Sean Krieg

Collared Lizard

Crotaphytus collaris

A colorful reptile with blue and yellow markings and an orange head stands on a rock, surrounded by green grass and blurred vegetation in the background.

These lizards are strikingly beautiful, with incredible coloration and fancy collars. They’re one of the few lizards that can run only on their hind legs.

© Eitan Grunwald

Eastern Hellbender

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

A large, dark-spotted amphibian with a broad, flat head lies on wet, rocky ground. Its mottled orange and black body blends in with the brown and gray stones, highlighting the ARC Conservancy's focus on salamander habitats.

At over two feet long with nicknames like “grampus” and “devil dog,” hellbenders are native to swift, clean, rocky streams in montane and plateau regions of the eastern United States.

© Kevin Messenger

Ensatina salamander

Ensatina eschscholtzii

A small, orange-brown amphibian with a shiny, smooth body crawls on a forest floor covered in pine needles, bark, and soil.

These salamanders can be found in locations ranging from Canada to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and have geographic variation in colors and patterns.

© Wendy Herniman

Frosted flatwoods salamander

Ambystoma cingulatum

A slender amphibian with dark skin and light, wavy markings crawls along a rough, brown log with pine needles in the blurred background.

Once fairly common in the southeast coastal plain of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, flatwoods salamander populations have collapsed since the mid-20th century.

© Noah Mueller

Texas horned lizard

Phrynosoma cornutum

A horned reptile with spiky skin and brown, tan, and white markings lies camouflaged on sandy ground with small pebbles.

These horned lizards are found in the south-central and Southwestern US where they feed on ants and other small invertebrates.

© Rachel Allingham

Gila Monster

Heloderma suspectum

A close-up of a Gila monster, a lizard with black and orange patterned scales, mouth open on a sandy and rocky surface, highlighting this unique reptile often studied by the ARC Conservancy.

This large, relatively slow-moving lizard is native to the southwestern deserts, where it spends much of its time in burrows, thickets, and boulder formations.

© José Garrido

Gopher frog

Lithobates capito

A mottled brown, yellow, and gray amphibian frog sits on sandy ground with scattered debris, blending in with its surroundings due to its camouflage pattern.

Historically found in coastal plain regions from North Carolina to Alabama, gopher frog populations have dwindled to a handful of small, isolated populations in recent decades.

© Ron Grunwald

Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander

Aneides caryaensis

A slender, dark-colored amphibian with yellow spots and stripes blends into a rocky, moss-covered surface. Its elongated body is surrounded by patches of greenery and lichen.

These animals have traits that sound like superpowers. They can climb just about anything, they’re lungless, and have skin secretions that fight bacteria, viruses, and fungal infections.

© José Garrido

Gopher tortoise

Gopherus polyphemus

A gopher tortoise, a sturdy reptile with a domed brown shell and rough, scaly legs, walks on sandy ground scattered with dry leaves and grass near the conservancy.

The gopher tortoise shares its burrows with the gopher frog and other critters. They love open areas with lots of grass and a few pine trees.

© Eitan Grunwald

Houston toad

Anaxyrus houstonensis

A brown, bumpy amphibian toad sits on the forest floor among dry leaves, pine needles, and a small green plant, blending seamlessly into its natural conservancy habitat.

Restricted to a small and rapidly shrinking range in southeast Texas, Houston toads live in dry uplands and breed in embedded shallow wetlands.

© johnwilliams

Long-nosed leopard lizard

Gambelia wislizenii

A tan and gray reptile with dark spots lies on a rough, light-colored rock, blending in with its surroundings. Its head is slightly raised, and its long tail and claws are visible—a fine sight for any Conservancy or ARC visitor.

This lizard is an elegant beast with a tail that can be up to twice the length of its body. But it’s also a fearsome predator that literally eats mammals, like small mice.

© Eitan Grunwald

Ornate chorus frog

Pseudacris ornata

A brown amphibian with black markings sits on bright green moss, blending in with its surroundings. The frog’s body is sleek and its large eyes are prominent. Small green leaves are scattered on the moss.

One of the most beautiful frogs in North America, the ornate chorus frog can be dark brown, reddish, light gray, tan, or green. Even the tadpoles are stunning.

© Kevin Messenger

Louisiana pine snake

Pituophis ruthveni

A large, coiled reptile with brown and tan patterned scales lies on dry pine needles, its mouth open and fangs exposed, in a forested area near a tree trunk—an impressive sight preserved by the Conservancy.

These snakes are closely associated with pocket gophers and use the gophers’ tunnels as shelter, while also preying on the gophers themselves.

© Scott Wahlberg

Pine snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

A gopher snake, a fascinating reptile with brown and tan patterned scales, is coiled on sandy ground with some green grass and rocks in the background. Its mouth is open, showing its tongue and teeth.

These snakes can reach up to six feet long and are extremely secretive and hard to find. They’re like the ninjas of the snake world and they spend most of their lives underground.

© Eitan Grunwald

Red Hills salamander

Phaeognathus hubrichti

A close-up of a dark brown amphibian salamander with smooth, shiny skin, resting on dry leaves and soil. Its elongated body and prominent eyes stand out against natural forest floor debris—a scene celebrated by the Conservancy.

This highly specialized species is restricted to the Red Hills region of southern Alabama, where it occurs on the damp, hardwood-dominated slopes of steep ravines. 

© Kevin Messenger

San Francisco garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia

A colorful reptile, this garter snake with red, black, and green scales is coiled on sandy ground—its head slightly raised and eyes alert, a vivid sight on any ARC Conservancy trail.

Limited to a small area southwest of downtown San Francisco, this colorful type of garter snake lives in the vicinity of a precious few remaining freshwater aquatic habitats.

© Andre Giraldi

Red-legged frog

Rana draytonii

A brown and orange frog sits camouflaged among dry grass, twigs, and pine needles on the forest floor—an elusive inhabitant often monitored by ARC Conservancy teams during their reptile and amphibian surveys.

These frogs have dorsal spots, vocal sacs, tympanic membranes, and glorious red legs. They eat everything from fish and dragonflies, to worms and snails.

© Grze Swis

Southern hognose snake

Heterodon simus

A coiled snake with a patterned, brown and black body is camouflaged among dry pine needles and grass on the forest floor—its presence highlighting the care of local Conservancy efforts.

Using their upturned snout as a shovel, these snakes dig to avoid predators, escape weather extremes, and sniff out their favorite food (toads).

© Ryan McGreevy

Weller’s salamander

Plethodon welleri

A dark, slender amphibian with shiny, smooth skin lies on bright green moss. The salamander’s body curves in an S shape, its textured back contrasting with the soft, leafy moss background.

One of the most beautiful creatures you’ll ever see, their dark black body is splashed with metallic gold patches and looks like it could’ve been forged by a master jeweler.

© Dean Stavrides

Wood turtle

Glyptemys insculpta

A wood turtle, a fascinating reptile with a brown, textured shell and orange markings, crawls on a gravel surface. Its head is extended forward, and its legs show red and black coloring—a remarkable sight for any conservancy or ARC project.

These turtles a strikingly beautiful, with orange scales, golden-rimmed eyes, and yellow plastrons. They’re also very smart and are as capable as lab rats at finding food in a maze.

© Laura Gaudette

Western Chicken Turtle

Deirochelys reticularia miaria

A reptile with a dark shell and yellow-striped neck stretches its head upward while resting on dry leaves and grass in a sunlit forest area.

These turtles actually got their name not because of a physical feature, but because of how they apparently taste–like chicken.  They also have absurdly long necks.

© mfeaver

Alligator snapping turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

A large, dark brown reptile—the alligator snapping turtle—partially submerged in muddy water near the base of a tree, with a rough, ridged shell and textured skin. Green leaves and twigs from the ARC area surround the turtle.

This is the largest freshwater turtle in North America, weighing in at over 200 pounds! They have an intimidating shell and jaws that can bite through a broom handle.

© John P. Friel Ph.D.

Bog turtle

Glyptemys muhlenbergii

A small reptile with a patterned brown shell and yellow markings on its neck rests on grass and moss, surrounded by green plants and leaves.

Along the greater Appalachians, bog turtles require open canopy wetlands with mucky soils where they bury themselves to regulate body temperature and avoid predators.

© José Garrido

Box turtle

Terrapene carolina

A close-up of an eastern box turtle, a striking reptile with a domed, yellow-and-black patterned shell and orange-spotted legs, sitting on rocky ground outdoors—perfect for a conservancy's wildlife showcase.

These turtles can draw inside and close up their entire shell, helping them to thrive in all kinds of climates and habitats. They also have incredibly long lifespans, up to a century.

© Scott Byrd

Brazos water snake

Nerodia harteri

A brown reptile with dark markings slithers on sandy, rocky ground under bright sunlight.

Often confused for the venomous water moccasin, the Brazos water snake has an ontogenetic shift–meaning the adults live in a different habitat than the juveniles.

© Jeff Jenkerson

Chiricahua leopard frog

Lithobates chiricahuensis

A green and black spotted amphibian rests on a rough, light-colored rock near the edge of calm water, with part of the frog's body and the water clearly visible in the image.

Native to New Mexico, Arizona and adjacent areas of Mexico, Chiricahua leopard frogs occur in the vicinity of a variety of aquatic habitats, especially near uplands and forested habitats.

© danyz

Collared Lizard

Crotaphytus collaris

A colorful reptile with blue and yellow markings and an orange head stands on a rock, surrounded by green grass and blurred vegetation in the background.

These lizards are strikingly beautiful, with incredible coloration and fancy collars. They’re one of the few lizards that can run only on their hind legs.

© Eitan Grunwald

Desert tortoise

Gopherus agassizii

A desert tortoise, a resilient reptile with a textured, brown shell, sits among dry grass and vegetation in a sunny, arid landscape.

These turtles can draw inside and close up their entire shell, helping them to thrive in all kinds of climates and habitats. They also have incredibly long lifespans, up to a century.

© Sean Krieg

Eastern Hellbender

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

A large, dark-spotted amphibian with a broad, flat head lies on wet, rocky ground. Its mottled orange and black body blends in with the brown and gray stones, highlighting the ARC Conservancy's focus on salamander habitats.

At over two feet long with nicknames like “grampus” and “devil dog,” hellbenders are native to swift, clean, rocky streams in montane and plateau regions of the eastern United States.

© Kevin Messenger

Ensatina salamander

Ensatina eschscholtzii

A small, orange-brown amphibian with a shiny, smooth body crawls on a forest floor covered in pine needles, bark, and soil.

These salamanders can be found in locations ranging from Canada to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and have geographic variation in colors and patterns.

© Wendy Herniman

Texas horned lizard

Phrynosoma mcallii

A horned reptile with spiky skin and brown, tan, and white markings lies camouflaged on sandy ground with small pebbles.

These horned lizards are found in the south-central and Southwestern US where they feed on ants and other small invertebrates.

© Rachel Allingham

Frosted flatwoods salamander

Ambystoma cingulatum

A slender amphibian with dark skin and light, wavy markings crawls along a rough, brown log with pine needles in the blurred background.

Once fairly common in the southeast coastal plain of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, flatwoods salamander populations have collapsed since the mid-20th century.

© Noah Mueller

Gila Monster

Heloderma suspectum

A close-up of a Gila monster, a lizard with black and orange patterned scales, mouth open on a sandy and rocky surface, highlighting this unique reptile often studied by the ARC Conservancy.

This large, relatively slow-moving lizard is native to the southwestern deserts, where it spends much of its time in burrows, thickets, and boulder formations.

© José Garrido

Gopher frog

Lithobates capito

A mottled brown, yellow, and gray amphibian frog sits on sandy ground with scattered debris, blending in with its surroundings due to its camouflage pattern.

Historically found in coastal plain regions from North Carolina to Alabama, gopher frog populations have dwindled to a handful of small, isolated populations in recent decades.

© Ron Grunwald

Gopher tortoise

Gopherus polyphemus

A gopher tortoise, a sturdy reptile with a domed brown shell and rough, scaly legs, walks on sandy ground scattered with dry leaves and grass near the conservancy.

The gopher tortoise shares its burrows with the gopher frog and other critters. They love open areas with lots of grass and a few pine trees.

© Eitan Grunwald

Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander

Aneides caryaensis

A slender, dark-colored amphibian with yellow spots and stripes blends into a rocky, moss-covered surface. Its elongated body is surrounded by patches of greenery and lichen.

These animals have traits that sound like superpowers. They can climb just about anything, they’re lungless, and have skin secretions that fight bacteria, viruses, and fungal infections.

© José Garrido

Houston toad

Anaxyrus houstonensis

A brown, bumpy amphibian toad sits on the forest floor among dry leaves, pine needles, and a small green plant, blending seamlessly into its natural conservancy habitat.

Restricted to a small and rapidly shrinking range in southeast Texas, Houston toads live in dry uplands and breed in embedded shallow wetlands.

© johnwilliams

Long-nosed leopard lizard

Gambelia wislizenii

A tan and gray reptile with dark spots lies on a rough, light-colored rock, blending in with its surroundings. Its head is slightly raised, and its long tail and claws are visible—a fine sight for any Conservancy or ARC visitor.

This lizard is an elegant beast with a tail that can be up to twice the length of its body. But it’s also a fearsome predator that literally eats mammals, like small mice.

© Eitan Grunwald

Louisiana pine snake

Pituophis ruthveni

A large, coiled reptile with brown and tan patterned scales lies on dry pine needles, its mouth open and fangs exposed, in a forested area near a tree trunk—an impressive sight preserved by the Conservancy.

These snakes are closely associated with pocket gophers and use the gophers’ tunnels as shelter, while also preying on the gophers themselves.

© Scott Wahlberg

Ornate chorus frog

Pseudacris ornata

A brown amphibian with black markings sits on bright green moss, blending in with its surroundings. The frog’s body is sleek and its large eyes are prominent. Small green leaves are scattered on the moss.

One of the most beautiful frogs in North America, the ornate chorus frog can be dark brown, reddish, light gray, tan, or green. Even the tadpoles are stunning.

© Kevin Messenger

Pine snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

A gopher snake, a fascinating reptile with brown and tan patterned scales, is coiled on sandy ground with some green grass and rocks in the background. Its mouth is open, showing its tongue and teeth.

These snakes can reach up to six feet long and are extremely secretive and hard to find. They’re like the ninjas of the snake world and they spend most of their lives underground.

© Eitan Grunwald

Red Hills salamander

Phaeognathus hubrichti

A close-up of a dark brown amphibian salamander with smooth, shiny skin, resting on dry leaves and soil. Its elongated body and prominent eyes stand out against natural forest floor debris—a scene celebrated by the Conservancy.

This highly specialized species is restricted to the Red Hills region of southern Alabama, where it occurs on the damp, hardwood-dominated slopes of steep ravines. 

© Kevin Messenger

Red-legged frog

Rana draytonii

A brown and orange frog sits camouflaged among dry grass, twigs, and pine needles on the forest floor—an elusive inhabitant often monitored by ARC Conservancy teams during their reptile and amphibian surveys.

These frogs have dorsal spots, vocal sacs, tympanic membranes, and glorious red legs. They eat everything from fish and dragonflies, to worms and snails.

© Grze Swis

San Francisco garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia

A colorful reptile, this garter snake with red, black, and green scales is coiled on sandy ground—its head slightly raised and eyes alert, a vivid sight on any ARC Conservancy trail.

Limited to a small area southwest of downtown San Francisco, this colorful type of garter snake lives in the vicinity of a precious few remaining freshwater aquatic habitats.

© Andre Giraldi

Southern hognose snake

Heterodon simus

A coiled reptile with a patterned, mottled brown and black body lies on the ground among dry pine needles and grass.

Using their upturned snout as a shovel, these snakes dig to avoid predators, escape weather extremes, and sniff out their favorite food (toads).

© Ryan McGreevy

Weller’s salamander

Plethodon welleri

A dark, slender amphibian with shiny, smooth skin lies on bright green moss. The salamander’s body curves in an S shape, its textured back contrasting with the soft, leafy moss background.

One of the most beautiful creatures you’ll ever see, their dark black body is splashed with metallic gold patches and looks like it could’ve been forged by a master jeweler.

© Dean Stavrides

Western Chicken Turtle

Deirochelys reticularia miaria

A reptile with a dark shell and yellow-striped neck stretches its head upward while resting on dry leaves and grass in a sunlit forest area.

These turtles actually got their name not because of a physical feature, but because of how they apparently taste–like chicken.  They also have absurdly long necks.

© mfeaver

Wood turtle

Glyptemys insculpta

A wood turtle, a fascinating reptile with a brown, textured shell and orange markings, crawls on a gravel surface. Its head is extended forward, and its legs show red and black coloring—a remarkable sight for any conservancy or ARC project.

These turtles a strikingly beautiful, with orange scales, golden-rimmed eyes, and yellow plastrons. They’re also very smart and are as capable as lab rats at finding food in a maze.

©Laura Gaudette

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