Reptiles & Amphibians of California
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
758,915
recent observations
50
species listed
50
reptiles & amphibians
Naturalists have logged 758,915 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 182,238 recorded sightings.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians in California
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
182,238 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
55,612 observations
Pacific chorus frog
Pseudacris regilla
49,015 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
40,251 observations
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
38,575 observations
California Newt
Taricha torosa
35,413 observations
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
29,350 observations
California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps attenuatus
28,776 observations
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
24,280 observations
Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
23,172 observations
Ensatina
Ensatina eschscholtzii
19,097 observations
Western Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris
16,072 observations
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
12,570 observations
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
11,534 observations
Arboreal Salamander
Aneides lugubris
10,324 observations
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
9,336 observations
Western Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus
8,999 observations
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
8,494 observations
Blainville's Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
8,090 observations · iNaturalist
Northwestern Pond Turtle
Actinemys marmorata
7,856 observations
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
7,848 observations
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
7,418 observations
California Tree Frog
Pseudacris cadaverina
6,974 observations · iNaturalist
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
6,947 observations
Northern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria coerulea
6,369 observations
Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
6,307 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
5,984 observations
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
5,797 observations · iNaturalist
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
5,713 observations
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
5,587 observations
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
Rana boylii
5,230 observations · iNaturalist
California Red-legged Frog
Rana draytonii
5,089 observations · iNaturalist
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
4,861 observations
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
4,758 observations
Common Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus
4,308 observations
Black-bellied Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps nigriventris
4,083 observations
Common Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia tenuis
3,875 observations
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
3,800 observations
Southern Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus vandenburgianus
3,714 observations · iNaturalist
California Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon ensatus
3,597 observations · iNaturalist
Aquatic Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus
3,579 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
3,429 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
3,314 observations
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
3,293 observations
Pacific Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon tenebrosus
3,275 observations
Orange-throated Whiptail
Aspidoscelis hyperythrus
3,163 observations · iNaturalist
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
3,151 observations
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
2,985 observations
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
2,732 observations · iNaturalist
Southern California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major
2,681 observations · iNaturalist
Reptiles & Amphibians in nearby places
Out spotting reptiles & amphibians in California?
Take Huck with you. Identify any reptiles & amphibian you find in seconds and build your collection.
Get HuckLove reptiles & amphibians? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.