Amphibians and Reptiles of Cameron County, Texas (83 Species)

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Amphibians and Reptiles of Cameron County, Texas (83 Species)

Generated with TSNL Ecological Database Version 1.0. 1996, 2000. Austin: Texas System of Natural Laboratories, Inc.

See also: Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas. Second Edition. (2000) by James R. Dixon

State of Texas and Other Texas Counties: Brewster Travis

AMPHIBIANS: Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders) Bufonidae (Toads) Hylidae (Treefrogs and Chorus Frogs) Leptodactylidae (Tropical Frogs) Microhylidae (Narrowmouth Toads) Pelobatidae (Spadefoot Toads) Ranidae (True Frogs) Salamandridae (Newts) Sirenidae (Sirens)

REPTILES: Anguidae (Glass and Alligator Lizards) Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles) Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles) Colubridae (Colubrids) Crocodilidae (Crocodilians) Dermochelyidae (Leatherbacks) Elapidae (Coral Snakes and Cobras) Emydidae (Box and Water Turtles) Gekkonidae (Geckos) Iguanidae (Iguanids) Kinosternidae (Musk and Mud Turtles) Leptotyphlopidae (Slender Blind Snakes) Scincidae (Skinks) Teiidae (Whiptails) Testudinidae (Tortoises) Trionychidae (Softshell Turtles) Viperidae (Vipers)

Bibliography on Notes

Bibliography on Distributions

Amphibia (Amphibians)

Sirenoidea, Caudata (Urodela) - Salamanders

1 Sirenidae (Sirens)

2 Siren intermedia texana Goin, 1957 Rio Grande siren

Frost (1985, p. 618) comments that populations along the lower Rio Grand and in adjacent Mexico may represent a species different from Siren intermedia Le Conte.

Ambystomatoidea, Caudata (Urodela) - Salamanders

2 Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)

7 Ambystoma tigrinum (Green, 1825) tiger salamander

Ambystoma tigrinum (Green) has been introduced widely throughout the State (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 2; Dixon 1987, p. 59).

Salamandroidea, Caudata (Urodela) - Salamanders

3 Salamandridae (Newts)

8 Notophthalmus meridionalis (Cope, 1880) black-spotted newt

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 3) and Dixon (1987, p. 63) state that a Falls County record is erroneous and question Victoria and Duval County records.

Anomocoela, Salientia (Anura) - Frogs and Toads

8 Pelobatidae (Spadefoot Toads)

26 Scaphiopus couchii Baird, 1854 Couch's spadefoot

27 Scaphiopus holbrookii (Harlan, 1835) eastern spadefoot

Scaphiopus holbrookii (Harlan) includes Scaphiopus hurterii Strecker (Wasserman 1968, pp. 70.1-70.2) which Collins (1991, p. 43) recently has resurrected.

Procoela, Salientia (Anura) - Frogs and Toads

9 Leptodactylidae (Tropical Frogs)

31 Leptodactylus labialis (Cope, 1877) white-lipped frog

Leptodactylus labialis (Cope) includes L. fragilis (Brocchi) (Dubois and Heyer 1992, p. 584).

32 Syrrhophus cystignathoides (Cope, 1877) Rio Grande chirping frog

Syrrhophus cystignathoides (Cope) includes S. campi Stejneger (Lynch 1972, pp. 15-16).

10 Hylidae (Treefrogs and Chorus Frogs)

35 Acris crepitans Baird, 1854 northern cricket frog

Acris crepitans Baird has been confused with A. gryllus (Le Conte) in the literature (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 7).

38 Hyla cinerea (Schneider, 1799) green treefrog

Conant (1977, p. 219) describes Cameron County introductions.

41 Pseudacris clarkii (Baird, 1854) spotted chorus frog

45 Smilisca baudinii (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) Mexican treefrog

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 8) state that a Bexar County record is erroneous.

11 Bufonidae (Toads)

48 Bufo debilis Girard, 1854 green toad

50 Bufo marinus (Linnaeus, 1758) giant toad

52 Bufo speciosus Girard, 1854 Texas toad

Bufo speciosus Girard includes B. compactilis Wiegmann (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 9).

53 Bufo valliceps Wiegmann, 1833 Gulf Coast toad

55 Bufo woodhousii Girard, 1854 Woodhouse's toad

Diplaciocoela, Salientia (Anura) - Frogs and Toads

12 Ranidae (True Frogs)

57 Rana berlandieri Baird, 1859 Rio Grande leopard frog

Rana berlandieri Baird, blairi Mecham, Littlejohn, Oldham, Brown, & Brown, and sphenocephala Cope formerly were considered subspecies of R. pipiens (Schreber) and their distributions have not yet been determined completely (Hillis 1981, pp. 312-318).

13 Microhylidae (Narrowmouth Toads)

66 Gastrophryne olivacea (Hallowell, 1856) Great Plains narrowmouth toad

Microhyla often replaces Gastrophyrne in the literature (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 11).

67 Hypopachus variolosus (Cope, 1866) sheep frog

The San Patricio County record reported in Dixon (1987) should be for Calhoun County (JRD).

Reptilia (Reptiles)

Testudines (Chelonia) - Turtles

15 Kinosternidae (Musk and Mud Turtles)

71 Kinosternon flavescens (Agassiz, 1857) yellow mud turtle

16 Emydidae (Box and Water Turtles)

81 Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff, 1793) diamondback terrapin

82 Pseudemys concinna (Le Conte, 1830) river cooter

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, pp. 12-13) question Brewster and Culberson County records and state that Pseudemys concinna (Le Conte) and P. floridana (Le Conte) often are confused and that Chrysemys sometimes replaces Pseudemys.

84 Pseudemys gorzugi Ward, 1984 Rio Grande cooter

Pseudemys gorzugi Ward formerly was considered a subspecies of P. concinna (Le Conte) (Ernst 1990, p. 461.1; Collins 1991, p. 43). Chrysemys sometimes replaces Pseudemys in the literature (Seidel and Smith 1986, pp. 242-243).

88 Terrapene ornata (Agassiz, 1857) western box turtle

Terrapene ornata (Agassiz) often is found outside its natural range as a released pet (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 15).

90 Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792) slider

Trachemys scripta (Schoepff) formerly included T. gaigeae (Hartweg) as a subspecies (Ernst 1992, pp. 538.2-538.3). Conant (1977, p. 219) describes Cameron County introductions.

17 Testudinidae (Tortoises)

91 Gopherus berlandieri (Agassiz, 1857) Texas tortoise

Goperus berlandieri (Agassiz) often is found outside its natural range as a released pet (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 15).

18 Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)

92 Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) loggerhead

94 Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) hawksbill

95 Lepidochelys kempi (Garman, 1880) Atlantic ridley

Lepidochelys kempi (Garman) formerly was considered a subspecies of L. olivacea (Eschscholtz) (Raun and Gehlbach, p. 15).

19 Dermochelyidae (Leatherbacks)

96 Dermochelys coriacea (Linnaeus, 1766) leatherback

20 Trionychidae (Softshell Turtles)

98 Apalone spinifera (Le Seuer, 1827) spiny softshell

Meylan (1987) and Ernst and Barbour (1989, p. 103) refer Trionyx spiniferus Le Seuer to Apalone spinifera (Le Seuer), but Ernst et al. (1994, pp. 103-104) consider this action premature.

Crocodilia - Crocodilians

21 Crocodilidae (Alligators and Caimans)

99 Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin, 1803) American alligator

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 16) state that Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin) often is introduced outside its natural range and question records of former occurrence along the Rio Grande. Conant (1977, p. 219) discusses introductions in Cameron County.

Sauria (Lacertilia) - Lizards, Squamata - Lizards and Snakes

22 Gekkonidae (Geckos)

100 Coleonyx brevis Stejneger, 1893 Texas banded gecko

105 Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Mediterranean gecko

Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus) has been introduced at many Texas cities (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 17; Conant 1977, p. 219; Dixon 1987, p. 90).

23 Iguanidae (Iguanids)

106 Anolis carolinensis (Voigt, 1832) green anole

Atascosa, Brown, Cameron, Frio, Hidalgo, Maverick, Menard, Uvalde, and Willacy County records may represent introductions (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 17; Conant 1977, p. 219; Dixon 1987, p. 90).

107 Anolis sagrei Duméril & Bibron, 1837 brown anole

Anolis sagrei Dumeril & Bibron recently has been introduced to Texas (Dixon 1987, p. 90).

111 Ctenosaura pectinata (Wiegmann, 1834) western spiny-tailed iguana

Ctenosaura pectinata (Wiegmann) has been established by man in Brownsville (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 17; Conant 1977, p. 218; Dixon 1987, p. 92).

115 Holbrookia propinqua Baird & Girard, 1852 keeled earless lizard

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 19) and Dixon (1987, p. 93) question a Real County record.

116 Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan, 1825) Texas horned lizard

Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan) often is found outside its natural range as a released pet (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 18).

121 Sceloporus grammicus Wiegmann, 1828 mesquite lizard

Dixon (1987, p. 96) states that Kleberg and Refugio County records represent introductions.

124 Sceloporus olivaceus Smith, 1934 Texas spiny lizard

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 19) state that Sceloporus olivaceus Smith formerly was included in S. spinosus Wiegmann and was confused with S. undulatus (Latreille). They and Dixon (1987, p. 19) question East Texas records.

126 Sceloporus undulatus (Latreille, 1802) eastern fence lizard

Sceloporus olivaceus Smith and S. undulatus (Latreille) often are confused in the literature (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 19).

127 Sceloporus variabilis Wiegmann, 1834 rosebelly lizard

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 20) and Dixon (1987, p. 98) state Dallas, El Paso, and Lee County records are erroneous.

128 Urosaurus ornatus (Baird & Girard, 1852) tree lizard

24 Scincidae (Skinks)

134 Eumeces obsoletus (Baird & Girard, 1852) Great Plains skink

136 Eumeces tetragrammus (Baird, 1858) four-lined skink

Eumeces tetragrammus (Baird) includes E. brevilineatus Cope (Lieb 1990, p. 492.2). Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 21-22) and Dixon (1987, p. 101) question Baylor, Brewster, Burnet, Cooke, Henderson, and Limestone County records.

25 Teiidae (Whiptails)

140 Cnemidophorus gularis Baird & Girard, 1852 Texas spotted whiptail

Cnemidophorus exsanguis Lowe, C. gularis Baird & Girard, and C. sacki Wiegmann often are confused (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 22). Dixon (1987, p. 103) questions Anderson, Cass, Harrison, Henderson, and Morris County records.

142 Cnemidophorus laredoensis McKinney, Kay, & Anderson, 1973 Laredo striped whiptail

145 Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Linnaeus, 1766) six-lined racerunner

26 Anguidae (Glass and Alligator Lizards)

150 Ophisaurus attenuatus Cope, 1880 slender glass lizard

Ophisaurus attenuatus Cope originally was described as a subspecies of O. ventralis (Linnaeus) (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 24; Dixon 1987, p. 106). Dixon (1987, p. 106) questions a Kerr County record.

Serpentes (Ophidia) - Snakes, Squamata - Lizards and Snakes

27 Leptotyphlopidae (Slender Blind Snakes)

151 Leptotyphlops dulcis (Baird & Girard, 1853) Texas blind snake

Dixon (1987, p. 107) questions a Montgomery County record.

28 Colubridae (Colubrids)

153 Arizona elegans Kennicott, 1859 glossy snake

157 Coluber constrictor Linnaeus, 1758 racer

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 25) question a Real County record.

158 Coniophanes imperialis (Baird, 1859) black-striped snake

160 Drymarchon corais (Boie, 1827) indigo snake

161 Drymobius margaritiferus (Schlegel, 1837) speckled racer

Drymobius margaritiferus (Schlegel) may be extirpated from Cameron County (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 26), though B. Whitney observed three specimens in 1981 (Tennant 1984, p. 312). Dixon (1987, p. 111) questions Hidalgo and Kleberg County records.

163 Elaphe guttata (Linnaeus, 1766) corn snake

164 Elaphe obsoleta (Say, 1823) rat snake

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 26) and Dixon (1987, p. 112) question Culberson and Reeves County records. Dixon (1987, p. 112) confirms a Cameron County record.

166 Ficimia streckeri Taylor, 1931 Mexican hooknose snake

Ficimia streckeri Taylor formerly was considered a subspecies of F. olivacea Gray (Tennant 1984, p. 233).

168 Heterodon nasicus Baird & Girard, 1852 western hognose snake

Records of Heterodon nasicus Baird & Girard in Bowie, Calhoun, Comal, Coryell, Goliad, Hays, Limestone, and Montogery Counties actually represent H. platirhinos Latreille (pers. comm. D.R. Platt).

173 Lampropeltis getula (Linnaeus, 1766) common kingsnake

174 Lampropeltis triangulum (Lacepède, 1788) milk snake

Lampropeltis triangulum (Lacepède) includes L. doliata (Linnaeus) (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 28).

175 Leptodeira septentrionalis (Kennicott, 1859) cat-eyed snake

Dixon (1987, p. 117) questions a Kleberg County record.

177 Masticophis flagellum (Shaw, 1802) coachwhip

178 Masticophis schotti Baird & Girard, 1853 Schott's whipsnake

Masticophis schotti Baird & Girard formerly was considered a subspecies of M. taeniatus (Hallowell) (Camper and Dixon 1994, pp. 1 & 33-35; Camper 1996, p. 638.2).

182 Nerodia erythrogaster (Forster, 1771) plainbelly water snake

Nerodia erythrogaster (Forster) includes Natrix erythrogaster (Forster) (Rossman and Eberle 1977, p. 42). Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 29) question a Cameron County record and Dixon (1987, p. 118) questions a Starr County record.

183 Nerodia fasciata (Linnaeus, 1766) southern water snake

Nerodia fasciata includes Natrix fasciata (Rossman and Eberle 1977, p. 42) and once was considered a race of N. sipedon (Linnaeus) (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 30). Conant (1977, pp. 217-218) states that Cameron County records are introductions.

185 Nerodia rhombifer (Hallowell, 1852) diamondback water snake

Nerodia rhombifer (Hallowell) includes Natrix rhombifer (Hallowell) (Rossman and Eberle 1977, p. 42).

187 Opheodrys aestivus (Linnaeus, 1766) rough green snake

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 30) state the Armstrong and El Paso County records are erroneous.

188 Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin, 1803) bullsnake

Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin) includes western races once assigned to P. catenifer (Blainville) (Smith and Kennedy 1951, p. 96) and formerly included P. ruthveni Stull (Collins 1991, p. 43; Reichling 1995, p. 194).

192 Rhinocheilus lecontei Baird & Girard, 1853 longnose snake

194 Salvadora grahamiae Baird & Girard, 1853 mountain patchnose snake

Salvadora grahamiae Baird & Girard includes S. lineata Schmidt (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 31).

195 Sonora semiannulata Baird & Girard, 1853 ground snake

Sonora semiannulata Baird & Girard includes S. episcopa (Kennicott) (Tennant 1984, pp. 114-115).

196 Storeria dekayi (Holbrook, 1842) brown snake

Storeria dekayi (Holbrook) includes S. tropica Cope (Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 32). Dixon (1987, p. 124) states that Crosby and Lubbock County records may be introductions.

200 Tantilla gracilis Baird & Girard, 1853 flathead snake

Dixon (1987, p. 125) questions Brewster, Hale, Kent, Lamb, and Randall County records.

202 Tantilla nigriceps Kennicott, 1860 plains blackhead snake

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 33) and Dixon (1987, p. 125) question a McLennan County record.

203 Thamnophis cyrtopsis (Kennicott, 1860) blackneck garter snake

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 33) and Dixon (1987, p. 126) state that a Cameron County record is erroneous and question a McLennan County record.

204 Thamnophis marcianus (Baird & Girard, 1853) checkered garter snake

205 Thamnophis proximus (Say, 1823) western ribbon snake

Thamnophis proximus (Say) formerly was considered a subspecies of T. sauritus (Linnaeus) (Rossman 1962, pp. 741 & 747; Raun and Gehlbach 1972, p. 34).

29 Elapidae (Coral Snakes and Cobras)

212 Micrurus fulvius (Linnaeus, 1766) North American coral snake

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 35) and Dixon (1987, p. 130) question a Reeves County record. They and Degenhardt et al. (1996, p. 339) state that Texas records of Micruroides euryxanthus (Kennicott) are erroneous.

30 Viperidae (Vipers)

214 Agkistrodon piscivorus (Lacepède, 1789) cottonmouth

Raun and Gehlbach (1972, p. 35), Conant (1977, p. 219), and Dixon (1987, p. 131) question Cameron, Fisher, Maverick, Sterling, and Val Verde County records.

215 Crotalus atrox Baird & Girard, 1853 western diamondback rattlesnake

Dixon (1987, p. 131) states that a Jefferson County record is erroneous.

221 Sistrurus catenatus (Rafinesque, 1818) massasauga