Reptiles

NPS Photo by Brandon Cintron Gerena

Many of the best-known Everglades residents fall within this fascinating class of animals. More than 50 distinct kinds of reptiles inhabit the park. These species range from the formidable American crocodile to the diminutive green anole.

 

(Key: 🟥 = Federally Endangered (E), 🟧 = Federally Threatened (T), 🟪 = Invasive/Exotic (I), ❓ = Unknown (U), 🟩 = Common (C))

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Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, caimans, and alligators)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status	Everglades Spotlight
American alligator	Alligator mississippiensis	🟧 T	Needs protection to ensure its survival.
Common caiman	Caiman crocodilus	🟪 I	Introduced species altering food webs.
American crocodile	Crocodylus acutus	🟧 T	At risk, yet still holding a presence here.

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Order Squamata (lizards and snakes)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status	Everglades Spotlight
Eastern coachwhip	Masticophis flagellum	❓ U	Details scarce — possibly misidentified.
Eastern hognose snake	Heterodon platyrhinos	❓ U	Limited sightings — status uncertain.
Eastern glass lizard	Ophisaurus ventralis	❓ U	A mysterious presence in the Everglades.
Tropical house gecko	Hemidactylus mabouia	🟪 I	Aggressively competing with native wildlife.
Tokay gecko	Gekko gecko	🟪 I	Non-native species — ecological threat.
Indopacific gecko	Hemidactylus garnotii	🟪 I	Aggressively competing with native wildlife.
Boa constrictor	Constrictor constrictor	🟪 I	Invasive species disrupting native ecosystems.
Brown anole	Anolis sagrei	🟪 I	Invasive species disrupting native ecosystems.
Knight anole	Anolis equestris	🟪 I	Unwelcome guest with rapid spread.
Black and white tegu	Salvator merianae	🟪 I	Introduced species altering food webs.
Eastern indigo snake	Drymarchon corais	🟥 E	Monitored closely due to population decline.
Common iguana	Iguana iguana	🟪 I	Unwelcome guest with rapid spread.
Black spiny-tailed iguana	Ctenosaura similis	🟪 I	Invasive species disrupting native ecosystems.
Northern curly-tailed lizard	Leiocephalus carinatus	🟪 I	Invasive species altering native food chains.
Peter's Rock Agama	Agama picticauda	🟪 I	A flashy invader with a bold basking style.

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Order Testudines (turtles and tortoises)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status	Everglades Spotlight
Florida chicken turtle	Deirochelys reticularia	🟩 C	A regular in the Everglades’ lush habitat.
Florida redbelly turtle	Pseudemys nelsoni	🟩 C	A regular in the Everglades’ lush habitat.
Peninsula cooter	Pseudemys floridana	🟩 C	A regular in the Everglades’ lush habitat.
Diamondback terrapin	Malaclemys terrapin	🟩 C	A regular in the Everglades’ lush habitat.
Florida mud turtle	Kinosternon subrubrum	🟩 C	A regular in the Everglades’ lush habitat.
Striped mud turtle	Kinosternon baurii	🟩 C	Often spotted basking in the Florida sun.
Florida snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina	🟩 C	A familiar face in the park's ecosystem.
Loggerhead	Caretta caretta	🟧 T	Federally threatened but still holding on.
Atlantic ridley	Lepidochelys kempii	🟥 E	One of the park’s rarest treasures.
Atlantic hawksbill	Eretmochelys imbricata	🟥 E	Monitored closely due to population decline.
Atlantic leatherback	Dermochelys coriacea	🟥 E	Monitored closely due to population decline.
Green turtle	Chelonia mydas	🟥 E	One of the park’s rarest treasures.
Stinkpot	Sternotherus ordoratus	🟩 C	Well-adapted to the wetland environment.
Florida softshell	Apalone ferox	🟩 C	A classic part of the park's natural rhythm.
Florida box turtle	Terrapene carolina	🟩 C	A regular in the Everglades’ lush habitat.

 

¹Meshaka, W.E., Loftus, W.F., and Steiner, T. (2000) The Herpetofauna of Everglades National Park. Florida Scientist, 63 (2), 84-103.

²Steiner, T., and Loftus, W.F. (1991) Amphibians & Reptiles of Everglades National Park. Miami: Everglades Association.