Reptiles

There are approximately 19 native reptilian species that might reside within the park boundaries. Might, because most observations of reptiles have been incidental, and samplings are limited. The official species list shows designations for most of them as unconfirmed and probably present, with only 2 positively known to be present. Those are the short-horned lizard Phrynosoma dougsaii and the sagebrush lizard Sceloporus gracious.

 

This garter snake was observed moving between volcanic rocks along the shore of Wizard Island.

NPS Photo/Linda Powell 2018

Garter Snakes

Historically three garter snake species are recorded as present in the park. All three are so similar that one would need genetic analysis to tell the difference between the three. This makes it difficult to confirm if there are three species or one species in the park.

There are many different color variations in any given species of garter snake. Some of the garter snakes observed on Wizard Island look black, and lack any stripes. This is likely due to melanism, an increase in the dark color pigment, and a common occurance in reptiles. It does not generate a new species. The identification of the exact species on Wizard Island is unknown as is true for those throughout the park.

Garter snakes commonly eat insects and amphibians. They will opportunistically take baby mammals from dens, baby birds and eggs from nest, etc.

 

Crater Lake Reptile Species List

Use the dropdown menu below to select the Crater Lake National Park reptile species checklist. Once your selection appears on the page, choose to download the information or click "view PDF" to generate a printable version of your report. Use the blue print button at the top of the document to print the report, or click the blue-and-white export symbol to save the report.

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

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Species attribute definitions

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