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Reptiles of the United States  
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A Guide to the Reptiles &
Amphibians of the United States
U.S. Reptile Guide snakes lizards Turtles turtles salamanders Alligators of the US
Snakes of the U.S.

Obesity Clues From Research On How Burrowing Frogs Survive Years Without Food
Burrowing frogs can survive buried for several years without food or water. Scientists have discovered that the metabolism of their cells changes radically during the dormancy period allowing the frogs to maximize the use of their limited energy resources. This discovery could prove to have important applications in the long term for treating energy-related disorders such as obesity.
Boy Or Girl? In Lizards, Egg Size Matters
Whether baby lizards will turn out to be male or female is a more complicated question than scientists would have ever guessed, according to a new report. The study shows that for at least one lizard species, egg size matters.
Water Snake Startles Fish So They Flee Into Its Jaws
Forget the old folk tales about snakes hypnotizing their prey. The tentacled snake from South East Asia has developed a more effective technique. The small water snake has found a way to startle its prey so that the fish turn toward the snake's head to flee instead of turning away.
Illegal Trade In Vietnam's Marine Turtles Continues Despite National Ban
Marine turtles are vanishing from Viet Nam's waters and illegal trade is largely to blame says a new study.
New Species Of Phallus-shaped Mushroom Named After California Academy Of Sciences Scientist
As part of ongoing research on Sao Tome and Principe, a new Phallus mushroom has been discovered and described. Phallus drewesii belongs to a group of mushrooms known as stinkhorns which give off a foul, rotting meat odor. There are 28 other species of Phallus fungi worldwide, but this particular species is notable for its small size, white net-like stem, and brown spore-covered head. It is also the only Phallus species to curve downward instead of upward.
 

An Online Guide to the Reptiles & Amphibians of the United States


Herpedia™.com is not a reference for keeping reptiles or amphibians in your home, nor is it a truely scientific type encyclopedia that covers all of the different biological difference between two subspecies (i.e. genetic diferences). It leans more to listing and identifying the species & subspecies of every reptile and amphibian in North America that have been recognized to date. Information such as the scientific name, distribution maps, photographs, and information pages for each that contain the size, general description, range, habitat, mating/breeding, etc.

 

Amphibians

There are two of the three major groups of amphibians present in the United States and they are represented by 194 species. They are the salamanders (including newts) (112 species) and the frogs & toads (82 species).

Salamanders resemble lizards in that they have slender bodies, long tails, distinct body regions, and usually front and hinds legs of nearly the same size. Like most amphibians, they have a moist scaleless skin. Salamanders lack the scales, claws, and external ear opening that are present in lizards.

Frogs and Toads are easily identified by their hind feet. True frogs have webbed toes, Tree frogs have toe pads and webbing, Toads have tubercles and no webbing, Spadefoot Toads have a horny projection (the spade) and no webbing.

Reptiles

There are some 283 species of native and introduced species of reptiles in the U.S. They are represented by Crocodilians (3 species), turtles (59 species), lizards (115 species), amphisbaenid (1 species), and snakes (115 species).

Crocodilians, with their size alone, are easily identified as the giants of the reptiles in the U.S. Their size, massive heads, protruding eyes and nostrils, and heavily muscular bodies, compressed tails distinguish them from their cousins, the lizards.

Turtles are recognized by everyone by their shells, which are generally used to distinguish species.

Snakes are the most specializes group of reptiles. They are distinctive in having a long scaled body. Unlike lizards, they have no arms or legs, external ear openings, or eyelids.

Lizards share characteristics with the crocodilians and snakes, but unlike the crocodilians they lack the size, and unlike snakes, they have arms, legs, eyelids, and external ear openings. Snakes and lizards have three types of scales: smooth, keeled, and granular.

And the single species of Amphisbaenid is found in Florida and has a long limbless body that resembles an earthworm. The body scales have formed into rings that encircle the body.

 
 

 

 

 

Our Community of Reptile and Amphibian Sites


Below are listed links to our other reptile and amphibian sites. You will find some that contain information on just certain species, others provide information on keeping them in captivity, one that will help you find a rescue or shelter in your area so you can adopt or surrender a reptile, one to find a vet that will take your reptile, amphibian or other exotic pet, and finally one that is a full feature reptile community containing reptile forums, classifieds, auctions, galleries, and much more! Take a few minutes and stop by our other sites to read and learn about reptiles and amphibians.


Herp Kingdom     Reptile Rescue League     Herp Vet Directory     Reptile Care Sheets     East Coast Hots     Coral Snakes


 
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Reptiles & Amphibians Listed by State


Want to know what reptiles and amphibians are in your state? Now you can get a complete list of all reptiles and amphibians for each state in our "The Reptiles & Amphibian of the United States" state directory. Want to see how this project is coming along? Click Here

 

 

 

 

 

Recommended Reptile & Amphibian Books at Amazon.com


         

 

 

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