Phoenix Zoo - Arizona Trail

The range extends from central and southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico southward in the Sierra Madre Occidental to Jalisco and Colima, Nayarit, southeast Zacatecas and southwest Aguascalientes, Mexico (Loeza-Corichi and Flores-Villela 1995, Stebbins 2003, Quintero-Díaz et al. 1999, Vázquez and Quintero 2005, Webb 1962, Webb 1970). In Arizona, the species occurs in the Huachuca, Santa Rita, Pajarito, and Chiricahua Mountains (Stebbins 2003). In New Mexico, it occurs throughout the Mogollon Plateau and in several isolated mountain ranges to the south, eastward to Socorro, Sierra, and Dona Ana counties (Degenhardt et al. 1996). The elevational range extends from 2,400 feet to about 9,000 feet (730 to 2,770 m asl) (Stebbins 2003). less ↑

The eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), also called common collared lizard,Oklahoma collared lizard or collared lizard, is a North American lizard that can reach a foot (30 cm) in length (including the tail), with a large head and powerful jaws. They are well known for the ability to run on their hind legs, looking like small theropod dinosaurs. Found in Missouri, Texas, western states, and parts of Kansas, the collared lizard is the state reptile of the... less ↑

The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum, /ˈhiːlə/ HEE-lə) is a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. A heavy, slow-moving lizard, up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) long, the Gila monster is the only venomous lizard native to the United States and one of only two known species of venomous lizards in North America, the other being its close relative, the Mexican beaded lizard (H. horridum). Though the Gila monster... less ↑

Ctenosaura hemilopha, also known as the cape spinytail iguana , is a species of spinytail iguana endemic to Baja California. It is arboreal and primarily herbivorous, although it can be an opportunistic carnivore. Males may grow up to 100 centimeters (39 in) in length, while females are smaller, with a length of up to 70 centimeters (28 in). Five subspecies are currently recognized. less ↑

This species is restricted to a limited area in extreme southwestern United States and extreme northwestern Mexico. The range includes scattered areas of suitable habitat in southwestern Arizona (south of the Gila River; mainly in the Mohawk and Yuma dune systems, Yuma County, and the Pinta Sands, Pima County) and northwestern Sonora south to at least Tepoca Bay (Pough 1977, Stebbins 2003). In Arizona, the known elevational range is 49 to 275 m asl. less ↑

Arizona elegans is a species of medium-sized colubrid snake commonly referred to as the glossy snake or the faded snake, which is endemic to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus Arizona has only one officially recognized species, A. elegans, with several subspecies. Some have recommended that A. elegans occidentalis be granted full species status. less ↑

This species is known from central and southeastern Arizona (now rare) and extreme southwestern New Mexico in the United States, south through the highlands of western and southern Mexico to Oaxaca, at elevations of 53 to 2,590 m asl (175 to 8,500 feet) (Roden and Schwalbe 1988, Rossman et al. 1996, Stebbins 2003). The Mexican distribution extends from southwestern New Mexico down the Sierra Madre Occidental and western edge of the Chihuahuan Desert to the southern mountains of the Mexican altiplano around Mexico City. There is an isolated population in Sierra Madre del Sur (Rosen and Schwalbe 1988). In New Mexico, this snake is known from the lower Gila Basin, along Duck and Mule creeks in Grant County and near Virden in Hildago County (Hubbard and Eley 1985 cited by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 1997); may now be eliminated from Duck Creek (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 1997). In Arizona, it is known from the Santa Cruz Valley east and generally south of the Gila River; also from Agua Fria River, Oak Creek, Verde River, and several upper Salt/Black River sites (Arizona Game and Fish Department 1998). There is an unsubstantiated report from southwestern Texas (Rosen and Schwalbe 1988). See De Queiroz and Smith (1996) for evidence of former occurrence in southern Nevada and adjacent Arizona. less ↑

Senticolis triaspis, also known as green rat snake, is a long (160 cm), green or olive green snake with the light yellow ventral side. They usually inhabit evergreen forests and grassland. They are well distributed in the Baboquivari, Pajarito, Atascosa, Santa Rita, Empire, Patagonia, Chiricahua, Swisshelm, Pedregosa, and Peloncillo mountains of southeastern Arizona. Senticolis triaspis consume small animals such as lizards, killing them by deadly constriction. They are primarily diurnal. During reproduction, they are able to lay... less ↑

The species' range extends from southeastern Arizona (isolated population in Oak Creek Canyon, central Arizona), New Mexico, and central Texas in the United States, southward into northern Mexico as far as Hidalgo (Stebbins 2003). Its elevational range extends from sea level to over 1,980 m asl (6,500 feet), but in the western part of the range this snake seldom occurs below 1,370 m (4,500 feet) (Stebbins 2003). less ↑

Pituophis catenifer is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to North America. Six subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies, Pituophis catenifer catenifer, described here. This snake is often mistaken for a diamondback rattlesnake but can be easily distinguished from a rattlesnake by the lack of black and white banding on its tail, and by the shape of its head which is narrower than a rattlesnake's. less ↑

The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) is a nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to the western United States and northern Mexico. It is a relatively small subspecies of the common kingsnake and is naturally found in a wide variety of habitats. One of the most popular snakes in captivity, the California kingsnake can vary widely in appearance due to numerous naturally occurring and captive-developed color morphs. less ↑

Lampropeltis triangulum, commonly known as a milk snake or milksnake, (French: Couleuvre tachetée; Spanish: Culebra-real coralillo) is a species of king snake. There are 24 subspecies of milk snakes. Lampropeltis elapsoides, the scarlet kingsnake, was formerly classified as the subspecies L. t. elapsoides, but is now recognized as a distinct species. The subspecies have strikingly different appearances, and many of them have their own common names. Some authorities suggest that this species may be split into... less ↑

Western Hognose snakes are relatively small, stout-bodied snakes found throughout the Great Plains states of the U.S. from Canada to Mexico. Their color and pattern is highly variable from subspecies to subspecies, although most specimens appear much like the infamous rattlesnake to the untrained eye. This optical bluff, used in conjunction with a wide array of other clever defense tactics, makes these snakes quite unique among North American serpents. less ↑

Crotalus lepidus klauberi is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the southern United States, in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and northern Mexico, including the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí and Jalisco. The epithet klauberi is in honor of the herpetologist, and rattlesnake expert Laurence M. Klauber. less ↑

Crotalus viridis nuntius is a venomous pitviper subspecies native primarily to the desert plateau of the northeastern portion of the American state of Arizona, but also ranges into northwestern New Mexico. Named for the Native American Hopi tribe, which inhabits the region, its range overlaps that of the nominate subspecies and some interbreeding is believed to occur. The taxonomy of the C. viridis group is a matter of debate, many considering the various subspecies to be... less ↑

See Desert Tortoise
Recently, on the basis of DNA, geographic, and behavioral differences between desert tortoises east and west of the Colorado River, it was decided that two species of desert tortoises exist: the Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and Morafka's desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai).[4] Gopherus morafkai occurs east of the Colorado River in Arizona as well as in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Mexico. This species may be a composite of two species.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopherus_agassizii less ↑

The desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii and Gopherus morafkai) are species of tortoise native to the Mojave desert and Sonoran desert of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and the Sinaloan thornscrub of northwestern Mexico.Gopherus agassizii is distributed in western Arizona, southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah. The species name agassizii is in honor of Swiss-American zoologist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz. Recently, on the basis of DNA, geographic, and behavioral differences between desert tortoises east... less ↑