221 Amphibians and Reptiles Encyclopedia

Common name : Loggerhead turtle Scientific name : Macrochelys temminckii Family : Chelydridae Native to : South-Eastern United States Interesting fact : It lures fish and frogs by wiggling its bright red worm-like structure in its tongue. Conservation status : Vulnerable Spikes on the back and a powerful jaw give it the look of an […]

Common name : Algerian sand lizard Scientific name : Psammodromus algirus Family : Lacertidae Native to : Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, France, Italy, Morocco and Portugal Interesting fact : Males announce the breeding season by developing blue spots near the shoulders. Conservation status : Least Concern Sand racers lead a terrestrial life and can be found

Common name : Texas diamond-back Scientific name : Crotalus atrox Family : Viperidae Native to : United States and Mexico Interesting fact : The pit behind its nostril detects heat and can tell a predator and prey apart. Conservation status : Least Concern These venomous snakes lack the pigment melanine and appear light in colour.

Common name : Texas rat snake, Pilot black snake Scientific name : Elaphe o. obsoleta Family : Colubridae Native to : Central North America Interesting fact : They pretend to be venomous by rattling their tails. Conservation status : Least Concern Albinos are white and not black as they lack the enzyme for the black

Scientific name : Necturus alabamensis Family : Proteidae Native to : Alabama Interesting fact : They are called waterdogs from a wrong belief that they produce barking sounds like dogs. Conservation status : Endangered Bushy gills from the larval stage are carried for life by these aquatic salamanders. This is an example of ‘neoteny’ where

Common name : Alabama red-bellied turtle Scientific name : Pseudemys alabamensis Family : Emydidae Native to : Alabama Interesting fact : Official reptile of Alabama Conservation status : Endangered This shy freshwater turtle’s favourite pastime is basking on logs along the edges of ponds, streams and rivers. The top of the shell has red stripes

Common name : Rhinocerous viper, River jack Scientific name : Bitis nasicornis Family : Viperidae Native to : West and Central Africa Interesting fact : Small triangular head with two to three rhino-like horns above each nostril Conservation status : Least concern This highly venomous, 2 to 4 feet long snake, blends in with rainforests