Reptiles
Reptiles include our snakes and lizards. Although in many ways similar to amphibians, their scaly skin and the amniotic sac of their eggs enable them to live their entire lives on land. Many people are afraid of reptiles, but they play an important role as predators in our ecosystems. Lizards feed heavily on insects, while snakes keep populations of small rodents at bay. California has 84 native reptiles of which five are endemic to the state. Half (42) of these species are considered to be threatened by habitat loss, pollution and human population growth.
Reptilia
Squamata
Anguidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Elgaria multicarinata |
Southern alligator lizard |
Colubridae
| Species |
Common name |
| Diadophis punctatus |
Ringneck snake |
Iguanidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Sceloporus occidentalis |
Western fence lizard |
Return to species lists
