Field Guide

Reptiles and Amphibians

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Image of an osage copperhead
Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
The eastern copperhead is the most common venomous snake in Missouri. Its color varies from grayish brown to pinkish tan, with distinctive hourglass-shaped crossbands.
Photo of a northern watersnake rearing back in grass on land.
Northern Watersnake and Midland Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon sipedon (northern watersnake) and N. s. pleuralis (midland watersnake)
The northern watersnake and midland watersnake are Missouri's two subspecies of common watersnake. Together they occur statewide. Color is variable: gray, tan, or reddish brown with dark crossbands or blotches. The belly is cream-colored with red, brown, or black spots or half-moon markings.
Eastern gartersnake
Eastern Gartersnake and Red-Sided Gartersnake
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (eastern gartersnake) and T. s. parietalis (red-sided gartersnake)
The eastern gartersnake and red-sided gartersnake are Missouri's most common gartersnakes. The color is variable, but there are normally three yellowish stripes, one down the back and one on each side. There are narrow black bars between the scales along the upper lip.
Photo of an eastern snapping turtle walking on land with algae on shell.
Eastern Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
A large aquatic turtle with a big pointed head, long thick tail, and small lower shell, the eastern snapping turtle is common throughout the state, anywhere there is permanent water.
Photo of a western ratsnake curled up in grasses under a fence.
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
The western ratsnake, a glossy black snake, is one of Missouri’s largest and most familiar snakes. Its size and dark color make it seem imposing, but it is as harmless to humans as it is bad news for rodents.
Image of a lined snake
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineatum
The lined snake looks similar to a gartersnake. It is brown to grayish brown, with three lighter-colored stripes down the length of its body and a double row of half-moon-shaped markings along the belly. It occurs mainly in the northwestern part of the state, along the northern border, with a separate population in the St. Louis area.
Dusty hog-nosed snake curled on a sand prairie
Dusty Hog-Nosed Snake
Heterodon gloydi
In Missouri, the dusty hog-nosed snake is found only in a few southeastern counties. This nonvenomous snake is a species of conservation concern. Like other hog-nosed snakes, it has several interesting defensive behaviors.
See Also

About Reptiles and Amphibians in Missouri

Missouri’s herptiles comprise 43 amphibians and 75 reptiles. Amphibians, including salamanders, toads, and frogs, are vertebrate animals that spend at least part of their life cycle in water. They usually have moist skin, lack scales or claws, and are ectothermal (cold-blooded), so they do not produce their own body heat the way birds and mammals do. Reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, are also vertebrates, and most are ectothermal, but unlike amphibians, reptiles have dry skin with scales, the ones with legs have claws, and they do not have to live part of their lives in water.