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This page will show some of the reptiles & amphibians in
Alabama that are endangered, protected and
threatened.
Alabama that are endangered, protected and
threatened.
The Gopher Tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus) is a large land turtle that burrows dens
underground.
These land turtles dig burrows up to nine feet deep and 20 to 30 feet long with a large
chamber at the bottom. These provide important escape cover, and refuge for many species of
other animals in the sand hills-longleaf pine community. Gopher tortoises are herbivores
that feed primarily on wiregrass, broadleaf grasses, legumes and nonlegume forbs. They are
considered opportunistic feeders and will usually eat what is available to them. Hatchlings
are preyed upon by a wide variety of reptilian, avian and mammalian predators. Tortoises
grow slowly and are long-lived. Greatly reduced from historic abundance; locally
common in only a few protected areas. Loss of habitat and historic over hunting have
caused a large statewide decline of tortoise populations.
underground.
These land turtles dig burrows up to nine feet deep and 20 to 30 feet long with a large
chamber at the bottom. These provide important escape cover, and refuge for many species of
other animals in the sand hills-longleaf pine community. Gopher tortoises are herbivores
that feed primarily on wiregrass, broadleaf grasses, legumes and nonlegume forbs. They are
considered opportunistic feeders and will usually eat what is available to them. Hatchlings
are preyed upon by a wide variety of reptilian, avian and mammalian predators. Tortoises
grow slowly and are long-lived. Greatly reduced from historic abundance; locally
common in only a few protected areas. Loss of habitat and historic over hunting have
caused a large statewide decline of tortoise populations.
Status: Protected
Gopher Tortoise
Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
Status:Endangered
The Alabama Red-bellied Turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) is the state reptile of Alabama, around
one foot in length. The females are slightly larger with a carapace (upper shell) length
reaching 15 inches. Carapace color may be greenish to dark brown or black with yellowish,
pale yellow to red with or without dark markings. Their range is restricted to the
Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It has the smallest distribution of
any North American turtle species. Habitat loss and fatalities from crossing roads is the two
biggest reasons for this turtles decline. Some steps have been made by the state to help save
this turtle. Click on the link to the left for more information on what is being done.
one foot in length. The females are slightly larger with a carapace (upper shell) length
reaching 15 inches. Carapace color may be greenish to dark brown or black with yellowish,
pale yellow to red with or without dark markings. Their range is restricted to the
Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It has the smallest distribution of
any North American turtle species. Habitat loss and fatalities from crossing roads is the two
biggest reasons for this turtles decline. Some steps have been made by the state to help save
this turtle. Click on the link to the left for more information on what is being done.
Link to
Gopher
Tortoise
Council
Gopher
Tortoise
Council
Link to Save
the Redbelly
the Redbelly
Southern Hog-nosed Snake
Status: Endangered
The Southern hognose snakes (Heterodon simus) is a fairly small, heavy-bodied snakes that
reach about 24 in (61 cm) in length. Southern hognose snakes often put on threat displays
(including neck spreading, hissing, and playing dead ) when confronted by a predator.
Female southern hognose snakes are larger than males. Hognose snakes feed almost
exclusively on toads, although they will occasionally consume other prey. They seem to be
immune to poisons produced by toads, and are equipped with enlarged teeth (called rear
fangs) in the back of their mouths that are used to puncture inflated toads so that they may
be more easily swallowed. Southern hognose snakes have apparently declined in recent
years and are of conservation concern throughout their range. Habitat loss is the main
reason for their decline.
reach about 24 in (61 cm) in length. Southern hognose snakes often put on threat displays
(including neck spreading, hissing, and playing dead ) when confronted by a predator.
Female southern hognose snakes are larger than males. Hognose snakes feed almost
exclusively on toads, although they will occasionally consume other prey. They seem to be
immune to poisons produced by toads, and are equipped with enlarged teeth (called rear
fangs) in the back of their mouths that are used to puncture inflated toads so that they may
be more easily swallowed. Southern hognose snakes have apparently declined in recent
years and are of conservation concern throughout their range. Habitat loss is the main
reason for their decline.
Eastern Indigo Snake
Status: Threatened
Gopher Tortoise
range
range
The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a large nonvenomous, stout bodied snake
averaging six to seven feet in length. The largest individual recorded was
eight-and-a-half-feet. It is the largest snake in the United States. The Indigo Snake is smooth
scaled and uniform glossy blue-black throughout its body except for some reddish orange
or cream color suffusion on its throat, cheeks and chin. This coloration varies with some
individuals having distinct coloration and others with no coloration.
Indigos are found in the lower coastal plain along with the burrowing gopher tortoise.
They use the burrows not only for refuge, but also for breeding and reproduction. The
indigo snake is thought to be the main predator of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake
and data has shown the rattlesnake to be a preferred food item. The greatest threats to the
snake are loss of habitat, the practice of putting gas down a burrow by rattlesnake hunters,
and the pet trade.
averaging six to seven feet in length. The largest individual recorded was
eight-and-a-half-feet. It is the largest snake in the United States. The Indigo Snake is smooth
scaled and uniform glossy blue-black throughout its body except for some reddish orange
or cream color suffusion on its throat, cheeks and chin. This coloration varies with some
individuals having distinct coloration and others with no coloration.
Indigos are found in the lower coastal plain along with the burrowing gopher tortoise.
They use the burrows not only for refuge, but also for breeding and reproduction. The
indigo snake is thought to be the main predator of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake
and data has shown the rattlesnake to be a preferred food item. The greatest threats to the
snake are loss of habitat, the practice of putting gas down a burrow by rattlesnake hunters,
and the pet trade.
Status: HIGH CONSERVATION CONCERN
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is the largest species of feet,
although the average adult is four to five feet. When encountered, the diamondback will
often remain motionless until a threat is perceived or the snake is actually touched. A
defensive posture is a coiled position with rattle erect, buzzing, and head near center of the
coil. The act of striking can extend up to two-thirds the length of the snake. The eastern
diamondback rattlesnake feeds primarily on small mammals such as rabbits, mice, and rats.
Other food items include squirrels and ground-dwelling birds. The diamondback will often
use gopher tortoise burrows for refuge, especially during cold weather. Overwintering in
stump holes and gopher tortoise burrows, where it is vulnerable to “gassing” by snake
hunters. Infrequently encountered where formerly common, and now absent from many
areas of historic occurrence.
although the average adult is four to five feet. When encountered, the diamondback will
often remain motionless until a threat is perceived or the snake is actually touched. A
defensive posture is a coiled position with rattle erect, buzzing, and head near center of the
coil. The act of striking can extend up to two-thirds the length of the snake. The eastern
diamondback rattlesnake feeds primarily on small mammals such as rabbits, mice, and rats.
Other food items include squirrels and ground-dwelling birds. The diamondback will often
use gopher tortoise burrows for refuge, especially during cold weather. Overwintering in
stump holes and gopher tortoise burrows, where it is vulnerable to “gassing” by snake
hunters. Infrequently encountered where formerly common, and now absent from many
areas of historic occurrence.
Gopher Frog
Status: Endangered
The Gopher Frog (Rana sevosa) is a stout-bodied, large-headed frog that grows up to four
inches head-body length, with a thick ridge of skin extending down the back behind each eye.
Toes taper to rounded points, snout is somewhat pointed, and back is rough-textured and
warty. The gopher frog is currently known to breed at only five isolated wetlands in
southern Alabama. Due to a rapid decline in amount and quality of breeding and
nonbreeding habitat, the new threat of disease, and their close association with the
threatened gopher tortoise, this species of frog faces and uncertain fate.
inches head-body length, with a thick ridge of skin extending down the back behind each eye.
Toes taper to rounded points, snout is somewhat pointed, and back is rough-textured and
warty. The gopher frog is currently known to breed at only five isolated wetlands in
southern Alabama. Due to a rapid decline in amount and quality of breeding and
nonbreeding habitat, the new threat of disease, and their close association with the
threatened gopher tortoise, this species of frog faces and uncertain fate.
Red Hills Salamander
Status: Threatened
The Red Hills Salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti) is the State Amphibian of Alabama. It is a
large (max. total length approx approx. 10 in.) terrestrial salamander with a prehensile tail
almost as long (47 percent of total length) as body. Body and tail uniformly dark brown to
dark gray. Front (four toes) and hind legs (five toes) relatively short and stout. Only
terrestrial vertebrate confined to Alabama. Amount of suitable habitat remaining for the
species within its small geographic distribution was last estimated to be 54,900 acres. Habitat
loss is the main reason for its decline.
large (max. total length approx approx. 10 in.) terrestrial salamander with a prehensile tail
almost as long (47 percent of total length) as body. Body and tail uniformly dark brown to
dark gray. Front (four toes) and hind legs (five toes) relatively short and stout. Only
terrestrial vertebrate confined to Alabama. Amount of suitable habitat remaining for the
species within its small geographic distribution was last estimated to be 54,900 acres. Habitat
loss is the main reason for its decline.
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Status: Protected
The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater turtle in
the world. Average weight is between 150-175lbs, the world record weight being 236lbs. The
alligator snapping turtle is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting.
Some are hunted for their shells. There are accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught
both purposefully and accidentally on recreational fishing lines called "trot lines."
Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made from
snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a
protected species in Alabama.
the world. Average weight is between 150-175lbs, the world record weight being 236lbs. The
alligator snapping turtle is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting.
Some are hunted for their shells. There are accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught
both purposefully and accidentally on recreational fishing lines called "trot lines."
Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made from
snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a
protected species in Alabama.
Much of the information on
this page is taken from
www.outdooralabama.com
and is an incredible resource
for all of Alabama's wildlife.
this page is taken from
www.outdooralabama.com
and is an incredible resource
for all of Alabama's wildlife.
Alabama Reptile Rescue Sanctuary is a
nonprofit and tax-exempt
organization
under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).
Donations are tax deductible.
nonprofit and tax-exempt
organization
under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).
Donations are tax deductible.
Conservation