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RORABAUGH, J. C. 2008. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HERPETOFAUNA OF MAINLAND SONORA, MÉXICO, WITH COMMENTS ONCONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT. JOURNAL OF THE ARIZONA-NEVADA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 40(1):20-65.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HERPETOFAUNA OF MAINLAND SONORA,MÉXICO, WITH COMMENTS ON CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

JAMES C. RORABAUGH, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 201 N. Bonita Ave, Suite 141, Tucson, AZ 85745

ABSTRACTBased on collections and published reports, the herpetofauna of mainland Sonora, México, includes 37 amphibian

and 139 reptile species. An additional two amphibian and five reptile species have been taken very near the Sonoranborder in contiguous habitats in Arizona, Chihuahua, or New Mexico, and almost certainly occur in Sonora, as well. Thiscompares to 15 amphibian and 95 reptile species documented in the last summary of Sonora's herpetofauna, publishedin 1945. Five taxa have been introduced, and one species is known to have been extirpated from Sonora. Seventy-three(40%) of Sonora's amphibian and reptile species are given special status under México's Lista de Especies en Riesgo orthe IUCN's Red List. Although some of the species probably do not warrant special status in Sonora, substantial threatsto amphibians and reptiles in general are widespread. Sonora's sea turtles and ranid frogs are particularly imperiled.Despite these threats, there are significant opportunities for conservation, and agencies and non-governmental organiza-tions are making good progress on several fronts to protect amphibians and reptiles, and their habitats.

INTRODUCTIONIn 1945, Charles Bogert and James Oliver pub-

lished A Preliminary Analysis of the Herpetofaunaof Sonora in which they described collections of 15species of amphibians, 9 turtle and tortoise species,38 species of lizards, and 48 species of snakes fromSonora, México. This important, seminal work wasbased on collections in 1941-1942 made in theAlamos and Güirocoba areas of southeasternSonora, as well as analysis of collections made else-where in the state, including specimens obtained byEdward H. Taylor (see Taylor 1938) and otherpioneering herpetologists of the early 20th and late19th centuries. Bogert and Oliver (1945) noted ageneral paucity of herpetological knowledge inSonora and surmised that their checklist included nomore than two-thirds of the species present. Otherssubsequently made additional, significant contribu-tions to our knowledge of Sonora's herpetofauna.Most notably, Charles H. Lowe, Jr., former pro-fessor at the University of Arizona, assisted Bogertand Oliver in the field in the early 1940s andinspired two generations of students to explore andadvance the field of herpetology in Sonora. Inrecent years, Julio Lemos Espinal, Hobart Smith,and their colleagues have made important dis-coveries in eastern Sonora, while Erik Enderson andRobert Bezy's work on the Highway 16 “transect”east of Hermosillo have extended the ranges of sev-eral tropical species. Although much collecting andstudy have occurred since 1945, no comprehensiveworks, field guides, or checklists describingSonora's herpefotauna have been published, and inthat regard, Sonora lags behind its neighboringstates of Baja California (Grismer 2002), Chihuahua

(Lemos-Espinal et al. 2004, Lemos-Espinal andSmith in press), and Sinaloa (Hardy and McDiarmid1969).

Much has changed since Bogert and Oliver(1945) described Alamos as a town of 3,000inhabitants, accessible only by “a route that is allbut impassable during the rainy season.” Theywould likely be surprised by present-day Alamos,which has evolved into a cultural center andecotourism destination for bird watchers, botanists,and amateur herpetologists that come to the area toexperience the New World tropics within a day'sdrive of Tucson and Phoenix. Bogert and Oliverprobably would not recognize the bustling, urbancenters of Hermosillo, Ciudad Obregon, andNogales, as well as the extensive agriculture on thesouthwestern coastal plain, and the tourista towns ofPuerto Peñasco, Bahía Kino, and San Carlos. Withthese and other changes has come a growingrecognition that elements of the natural world,including many amphibians and reptiles, areimperiled. This paper provides an introduction tothe amphibians and reptiles of mainland Sonora forthose interested in species' identification, dis-tributions, and ecology, but it also attempts to builda conservation context and information base for landmanagers and conservationists in the hopes offacilitating the protection and maintenance ofSonora's amphibians and reptiles and their habitats.

METHODSThe checklist of amphibians and reptiles of

mainland Sonora (Table 1) and discussions of con-servation and management herein were compiledfrom personal knowledge, published and unpub-

HERPETOFAUNA OF MAINLAND SONORA, MÉXICO g RORABAUGH 21

lished studies, books, museum collections, and com-munications with others working in Sonora. Sup-porting literature for the checklist included majorworks on the herpetofauna of México (e.g., Smithand Taylor 1966, Flores-Villela 1993, Ochoa-Ochoaand Flores-Villela 2006), regional works (e.g.,Heringhi 1969, González-Romero and Alvarez-Cárdenas 1989, Schwalbe and Lowe 2000, O'Brienet al. 2006, Rosen 2007, Rorabaugh in press), treat-ments of species groups (e.g., Rossman et al. 1996,Duellman 2001, Sherbrooke 2003, Campbell andLamar 2004, IUCN et al. 2004), and many species-or locality-specific accounts and studies. However,the literature cited herein is not intended to be acomprehensive listing of herpetological studies orpublications relevant to Sonora. Table 1 reflects allpertinent species accounts in the Catalogue ofAmerican Amphibians and Reptiles, and geograph-ical notes and articles in Herpetological Review (allissues reviewed through June 2007).

Examination of collection data for the 9,150+specimens from Sonora in the University of Arizonaherpetology collection (UAZ) was invaluable inclarifying species' distributions and presence. Infor-mation in Table 1 also reflects collection data andspecimens at the American Museum of Natural His-tory (AMNH); Arizona State University herpetol-ogy collection (ASU); Bishop Museum of NaturalHistory (BMNH); California Academy of Science(CAS), including Stanford University collections(SU); Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates(CUMV); the Field Museum of Natural History(FMNH); Harvard University Museum of Compara-tive Zoology (MVZ); Los Angeles County Museum(LACM); Louisiana State University Museum ofNatural History (LSUMZ); Michigan State Univer-sity Museum (MSUM); Museo de Zoología, Uni-versidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM);Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ); NationalMuseum of Natural History (USNM); RoyalOntario Museum (ROM); San Diego Natural His-tory Museum (SDNHM); Slater Museum of NaturalHistory (PSM); University of Colorado Museum atBoulder (UCM); University of Kansas Natural His-tory Museum (KU); University of Michigan Mus-eum of Zoology (UMMZ); University of Texas atArlington (UTA); University of Texas at Austin(TNHC), and University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).Databases available on HerpNET <www.herpnet.org> also provided lists of specimens but notspecific locality data for the following museums:Brigham Young University (BYU), Monty L. BeanLife Science Museum (BYUH), Florida Museum ofNatural History (FLMNH), Illinois Natural HistorySurvey (INHS), and University of Illinois Museumof Natural History (UIMNH).

The following persons provided informationabout species' distributions, habitat use, or otherinformation: Randy Babb, Peggy Turk Boyer,George Bradley, Charles Conner, David Dickey,Eric Dugan, Erik Enderson, José Rafael CampoyFavela, Richard Feeney, Aaron Flesch, Carl Frank-lin, Anny Peralta García, Stephen Hale, WendyHodges, Andy Holycross, Randy Jennings, ThomasJones, Mariko Kageyama, Howard Lawler, JulioLemos Espinal, Brent Martin, Stephanie Meyer,Charles Painter, Ami Pate, Bill Radke, Ian Recchio,Ramses Rodriguez, Georgina Santos Barrera,Martha M. Gómez Sapiens, Cecil Schwalbe, JeffreySeminoff, Hobart Smith, Ángelo Soto Centeno,Sally Stefferud, Kenneth Tighe, Tom Van Deven-der, and Robert G. Webb. Julio Lemos Espinalprovided in depth review and comment on Table 1,unpublished data and manuscripts, and manycommon names used in Sonora. Sherry Barrett, ErikEnderson, George Ferguson, Stephen Hale, Georg-ina Santos Barrera, and Tom Van Devenderreviewed drafts of this paper, provided valuablecomments and suggestions, and shared unpublisheddata and observations.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe Checklist

Table 1 lists 39 amphibian and 144 reptilespecies for mainland Sonora, their scientific andcommon names, habitats in which species are found,and notes on descriptions, distribution, habits, con-servation status, and other topics. Marine speciesthat can be observed on or from the Sonoran coastare included, but island species of the Gulf of Cali-fornia are not (see Grismer 2002 for descriptions ofthese species). Scientific names for species occur-ring in the United States mostly follow Crother et al.(2000, 2003). Common names for Arizona speciesfollow Brennan and Holycross (2006), which arelargely taken from Crother et al. (2000, 2003).Common names of other species occurring in theU.S. follow Crother et al. (2000, 2003). Names ofspecies occurring entirely outside of the U.S. gen-erally follow Liner (1994) as updated by Liner(1996) and Flores-Villela and Canseco-Márquez(2004). However, many of Liner's (1994, 1996)common names are not widely used in Sonora,where amphibians and reptiles are often known bylocal names that vary regionally, and the same namemay be used for a group of similar species. WhereI knew of common names used in Sonora, they areincluded in Table 1 (see Bogert and Oliver 1945,Zweifel and Norris 1955, Schwalbe and Lowe 2000,Grismer 2002, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente yRecursos Naturales 2002, Nabhan 2003, and Camp-

22 HERPETOFAUNA OF MAINLAND SONORA, MÉXICO g RORABAUGH

bell and Lamar 2004 for additional Spanish com-mon names). Scientific names vary from the aboveauthors for newly described species, cases in whichsubspecies have recently been elevated to speciesstatus, and other recent taxonomic revisions. Forexample, the checklist uses the genus name“Plestiodon” for skinks (Brandley et al. 2005) and“Craugastor” for Sonoran barking frogs (Crawfordand Smith 2005), and follows Mulcahey et al. (2006)regarding the taxonomy of the Sonoran horned lizard(Phrynosoma goodei), Faivovich et al. (2005) for thelowland burrowing treefrog (Smilisca fodiens) anddwarf Mexican treefrog (Tlalocohyla smithii), Smithet al. (2005a) for the file-tail ground snake(Procinura aemula), and Peters and Orejas-Miranda(1970) for Clifton's lizard eater (Mastigodryascliftoni). Nomenclature changes for amphibians asproposed by Frost et al. (2006) are not reflected inthe checklist, as the scientific community has notyet had time to evaluate those proposals. For thissame reason, Collins' (2006) reclassification ofsnake families was also not adopted. Unresolvedtaxonomic issues are noted in the third column ofTable 1.

Included in Table 1 are seven species that likelyoccur or occurred historically in Sonora, but forwhich no museum specimens or published accountsare known. All occur just outside of Sonora in con-tiguous habitats (Plains spadefoot, Spea bombifrons;Plains leopard frog, Rana blairi; shortnose skink,Plestiodon brevirostris; red-backed whiptail,Aspidoscelis xanthonota; New Mexico threadsnake,Leptotyphlops dissectus; Plains black-headed snake,Tantilla nigriceps; and massasauga, Sistruruscatenatus [see Degenhardt et al. 1996, Campbelland Lamar 2004, Lemos-Espinal et al. 2004,Brennan and Holycross 2006]). Stephanie Meyer(pers. comm. 2005) reported loud, chirping geckosfrom a hotel in Navojoa that may be the commonhouse gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), a widelyintroduced species in the tropics; however, thatreport has not been investigated and the species wasnot included in the checklist. The status of themarbled toad (Bufo marmoreus) in Sonora isunresolved, as well. UNAM contains six Sonoranspecimens labeled as marbled toads – three from 43km southeast of Alamos, and three from near SanNicolás on Highway 16. In 2006, George Ferguson(pers. comm.) reported three toads that may havebeen this species in Arroyo Santa Bárbara, approxi-mately 24 km east of Alamos. However, the mar-bled toad can be easily confused with juvenile canetoads (Bufo marinus) and Sinaloa toads (B.mazatlanensis), and thus is not included in Table 1.Specimen LACM 65154, which was until recentlylabeled as a marbled toad from southeastern Sonora,

was actually a misidentified juvenile cane toad (RFeeney, pers. comm. 2006).

Habitats in the second column of Table 1 corre-spond to biotic communities. “Highlands” refers toChihuahuan Desertscrub/grasslands and/or oak-pineforests and woodlands depicted in Figure 1. Conser-vation status of species according to the World Con-servation Union (IUCN) Red list and the “Lista deEspecies en Riesgo” (Secretaria de Medio Ambientey Recursos Naturales 2002) is provided in the thirdcolumn.

It is beyond the scope of this paper to providekeys, descriptions, or photographs of all 183 amphib-ian and reptile species in Table 1. However, photo-graphs of 144 Sonoran species shared with Chihua-hua and/or Arizona can be found in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004) and Brennan and Holycross (2006),respectively. Additionally, keys to all species presentin Chihuahua are presented in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004), and Brennan and Holycross (2006) includebrief descriptions of each Arizona species. Photo-graphs, descriptions, keys, and species accounts forall five marine turtles and the yellow-bellied seasnake (Pelamis platurus), as well as other speciesfound in Baja California and islands of the Gulf ofCalifornia can be found in Grismer (2002). Together,these three readily available documents containphotographs and descriptions of 154 of the 183species in Table 1. Appendix 1 contains photographsof nine more species not found in these references, aswell as images of other representative Sonoranamphibians and reptiles. In the first column of Table1 the reader is referred to recent and availableliterature that contain photographs, descriptions, orkeys for most species; and also indicate if a photo isincluded in Appendix 1. For the remaining species,the third column of Table 1 provides comparisons tosimilar taxa and brief descriptions that should beuseful for preliminary field identifications. Morecomprehensive descriptions, keys, and photographscan be found in Smith and Taylor (1966), Hardy andMcDiarmid (1969), Iverson (1992), Degenhardt et al.(1996), Rossman et al. (1996), Duellman (2001),Sherbrooke (2003), Stebbins (2003), Van Devenderand Ferguson (2003), Campbell and Lamar (2004),images at <http://www.desertmuseum.org/center/research.php>, and other references listed in theLiterature Cited herein.

Consistent with the predictions of Bogert andOliver (1945) that their list of 110 species waslikely no more than two-thirds of the actual herpeto-fauna, the checklist in Table 1 contains 183 species,176 of which have been confirmed with specimensand/or published accounts. Although access toremote locations is now far better, and much workhas occurred since Bogert and Oliver's (1945) classic


preliminary herpetofauna was published, manyareas of Sonora are still poorly explored herpetolog-ically. As more field and taxonomic work is con-ducted, numbers of species will no doubt continueto grow and distributions will change from thoseportrayed in Table 1. In addition, there are likelymuseum collections not examined herein that wouldimprove information in Table 1. As a result, thispaper is no more than an introduction to the herp-etofauna of Sonora. A comprehensive description of

Sonora's amphibians and reptiles will have to waituntil further work can be conducted.

Conservation and ManagementTable 1 reveals that 73 (40%) of Sonora's 183

amphibian and reptile species are ascribed specialstatus on either México's “Lista de Especies enRiesgo” or the IUCN's Red List. Some are includedon these lists because of threats elsewhere within

Figure 1. Vegetation communities of Sonora and adjacent areas. Drawn by Alberto Búrquez Montijo.


their ranges, and although from that broader per-spective they may warrant special status, in Sonorathese species may be fairly secure. Examples includethe zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides),common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), coach-whip (Masticophis flagellum), and the largerrattlesnakes as well as the sidewinder (Crotaluscerastes). In Sonora, these species are well-represented within their ranges and their populationsare fairly robust to various kinds of humandisturbance. Many of these are “Pr” species, whichis a category on México's list indicating possiblethreat, but not enough information is available tocategorize the species as threatened or endangered.Two Pr species, the Río Grande leopard frog (Ranaberlandieri) and spiny softshell turtle (Apalonespinifera), are only represented as introduced species,and in Sonora do not warrant protection. The tigersalamander, listed as Pr, occurs as both a nativesubspecies (Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi) onlyknown in Sonora from Rancho Los Fresnos north-west of Cananea, and an introduced subspecies (A. t.mavortium) in the Arizona/Sonora borderlands. Pro-tection of the introduced form is also not warranted.

Other species not provided special status maydeserve such status in Sonora. The narrow-headedand West Coast gartersnakes (Thamnophisrufipunctatus and T. valida, respectively) are bothaquatic habitat specialists that could be affected byintroduction of non-native fishes or other potentialpredators. The montane streams where the narrow-headed gartersnake occurs have been impacted bylogging, while the coastal habitats of the West Coastgartersnake have been largely converted to agricul-ture. Another sensitive species, the sheep frog(Hypopachus variolosus), was eliminated from one ofvery few sites known in Sonora when its breedingpond west of Alamos was altered by chicken farmingoperations (Schwalbe and Lowe 2000). Sheep frogshave only been observed at a single locality inrecent years. The Sonoran green toad (Buforetiformis) has likely declined due to drought andconversion of desert lands to agriculture (Santos-Barrera and Pacheco-Rodriguez 2004). If the Plainsleopard frog exists in northeastern Sonora, thenbased on its declining status in Arizona, it shouldprobably be considered a special status species inSonora, as well.

Five taxa in Table 1 are intentional or accidentalintroductions and additions to Sonora's herpetofauna(barred tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinummavortium; Río Grande leopard frog; Americanbullfrog, Rana catesbeiana; spiny softshell turtle;and Mediterranean gecko). Only one species haslikely been extirpated from the state in recent times– the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

occurred on the coast as far north as the mangrovelagoon at Punta Sargento, and possibly on occasionto the Río Colorado delta (Mead and Baez 2003). Itwas last observed in January 1973 in El Ciego estu-ary near Guaymas (Navarro 2003). American croco-diles were presumably extirpated due to habitat des-truction (Mead et al. 2006) and probably hunting.

Sea turtles stand out as a particularly threatenedgroup. All five of Sonora's sea turtles are listed as indanger of extinction by the Mexican governmentand as endangered or critically endangered on theIUCN's Red List. All have declined substantially offthe coast of Sonora. A long history of harvestingturtles as well as incidental catch in fish and shrimpnets and longlines in the Gulf of California havecontributed to that decline (Seminoff and Nichols2007). But threats to sea turtles in the Gulf are onlypart of the conservation context of these popula-tions, because all five species breed exclusively orlargely on beaches as far away as southern Méxicoand Japan (Resendiz et al. 1998, Seminoff andNichols 2007). When they leave the Gulf, Sonora'ssea turtles die from pollution-related disease; inten-tional harvest for food, aphrodisiacs, and the jewelryand souvenir industry; incidental capture in nets; boatstrikes; destruction or disturbance of beaches wheresea turtles nest; ingestion of trash and debris; andpredation of nests by people and dogs. Nets ofshrimp trawlers can be particularly efficient at catch-ing and drowning sea turtles in the Gulf, but turtleexcluder devices are now required on all trawlers.Shrimp aquaculture on the coast is an increasinglypopular alternative to catching wild shrimp; over100 shrimp farms exist on about 24,000 ha of theSonoran coast. Although not yet documented inSonora, pollution from shrimp farms is thought to killsea turtles in the Mediterranean Sea.

In 1991 all sea turtles in México and its waterswere protected by presidential decree; however, thelaw is difficult to enforce. Some intentional harvestof turtles still occurs despite the law, and sometrawlers are probably still operating without turtleexcluder devices (Grismer 2002, Nabhan 2003,Seminoff and Nichols 2007). For such prohibitionsto be effective, an understanding of the need forconservation must be promoted at the communitylevel. Several organizations and groups are workingto develop community-based conservation programstargeting sea turtles and other imperiled species ofthe Gulf of California. An example can be found onthe north-central Sonoran coast, where sea turtleshave played an important role in the diet, legends,songs, and cultural identity of the native Seri(Coomcáac) people. The Seri recognize sea turtlesare declining and that their extinction would repre-sent a great cultural loss. With the help of Drs. Gary


Nabhan and Jeffrey Seminoff, and staff from theArizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Seri haverecruited local fisherman and villagers into sea turtleconservation (see Nabhan 2003). A training sessionco-taught by biologists and Seri elders for Seriyouth “para-ecologists” introduced conservationtechniques and simple monitoring protocols to pro-mote conservation of Sonora's sea turtles. On theBaja peninsula, Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias– an alliance of communities, fishing cooperatives,NGOs, tourism outfitters, scientists, governmentagencies, and others – is also working to promotethe ecological, economic, and cultural role of seaturtles in the Gulf of California. In the upper Gulf,CEDO (El Centro Intercultural de Estudios deDesiertos y Océanos), located in Puerto Peñasco,and staff at the Reserva de la Biósfera Alto Golfo deCalifornia y Delta del Río Colorado, conduct publicand community outreach to promote conservation ofsea turtles and other sensitive resources. Effortssuch as these can contribute significantly to a globalsea turtle conservation program, which is needed toensure the continued existence of these species inthe Gulf of California and elsewhere. Seminoff andNichols (2007) are cautiously optimistic that seaturtles can be successfully conserved in the Gulf ofCalifornia, and believe that populations off the coastof Sonora may be slowly recovering.

Another particularly threatened group is thenative ranid frogs, including most leopard frogs, theTarahumara frog (Rana tarahumarae), and cascadefrog (R. pustulosa). The endangerment of the groupis due largely to their dependence on permanent ornearly permanent water, which in an arid land suchas Sonora is invariably used or altered by humanactivities. Native ranid frogs are particularly vulner-able to predation by introduced species, such as theAmerican bullfrog, sport fishes, and crayfish(Orconectes virilis and Procambarus clarkii). Theapparent disappearances of lowland leopard frogs(R. yavapaiensis) from the Río Colorado and low-land and Chiricahua (R. chiricahuensis) leopardfrogs from the Río San Pedro are probably largelydue to these introduced predators. Ranid frogs havealso been affected by a fungal skin disease – chytri-diomycosis or “Bd” – which may have been spreadaround the globe by introductions of infectedAfrican clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis; Weldon et al.2004). In Sonora, the disease has been documentedin several populations of Tarahumara frogs, as wellas lowland and northwest México (R. magnaocularis)leopard frogs, and the cascade frog (Hale et al. 2005),and it has likely been a primary cause in somedeclines and disappearances of these and other ranidfrog populations. Wetlands are often the ultimatesinks for a variety of environmental contaminants,

and amphibians in general are sensitive to pollution.Until recently, airborne pollution from copper smel-ters in southeastern Arizona and northeasternSonora resulted in acidic rainfall and high levels ofcadmium that may have been toxic to Tarahumarafrogs and other ranid frogs, and may have madefrogs more susceptible to disease (Hale et al. 1995,2005). These smelters are now closed or areequipped with pollution control scrubbers, so thisthreat should be waning. Toxins in agriculturalchemicals used in the Río Colorado valley, in theextensive agricultural fields in southwestern Sonora,and elsewhere, likely affect some species, as well.Declines of ranid frogs are occurring within thecontext of a global loss of amphibian biodiversitythat has become very apparent over the last 15 years(Stuart et al. 2004). The status of amphibians ingeneral, but particularly highly aquatic forms,should be monitored closely in Sonora. Declines ofamphibians may serve as an indicator of environ-mental degradation that could affect a variety ofspecies, including Sonora's human inhabitants.

Livestock grazing is probably the most wide-spread human use of Sonora's landscapes. Grazingby cattle, goats, and other livestock has reducedvegetation cover and helped change grasslands toshrublands. Rangelands are often heavily grazed,with effects particularly apparent during drought. Insome areas of northeastern Sonora, it is estimatedranchers run as many as two to five times as manycattle as their ranges can support in the long term(Walker and Pavlakovich-Kochi 2003). The effectsof overgrazing are many, but precisely how amphib-ians and reptiles are affected is poorly studied. Astudy in Arizona showed that the number of lizardspecies and abundance of lizards declined signifi-cantly in heavily grazed areas (Jones 1981). Speciesdependant upon wetlands, streams, rivers, and pondscan be especially affected because cattle often con-gregate near water, trampling and eating streamsidevegetation, and fouling water quality. In recentdecades, ranchers have embarked on a campaign toimprove rangelands by planting buffelgrass(Pennisetum ciliare), which was imported fromAfrica or the Middle East. These habitat conver-sions, coupled with subsequent fires that buffelgrassfuels, destroy native plant communities and arechanging vast areas of Sonoran Desert, thornscrub,and to a lesser extent, tropical deciduous forest, intoopen African-like savannas. Buffelgrass has invadedmore than two-thirds of Sonora, and 1.6 million hamay have been deliberately cleared and seeded withthe species (Búrquez-Montijo et al. 2002). Again,although the effects on Sonora's herpetofauna havenot been well-studied; many species are probablyadversely affected; especially arboreal lizards and


snakes, but also those not adapted to fire such as thedesert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). In addition,dense stands of buffelgrass may impede the move-ment of some species, such as horned lizards(Phrynosoma).

A variety of other human activities affectSonora's herpetofauna. Conversion of much of thesouthwestern coastal plain, an area southeast ofBahía Kino, and the Río Colorado Valley to agricul-ture has benefitted a few species, including someamphibians, but much of the reptile fauna and sev-eral amphibian species have been eliminated fromthese areas. A few, mostly habitat generalists suchas common kingsnakes and gophersnakes (Pituophiscatenifer), persist in good numbers in agriculture.Mining has caused localized severe impacts to habi-tats in some areas, such as the copper mines atCananea, and revisions to Mexican mining laws in1992 made it simpler and less expensive for miningcompanies, including foreign firms, to operate inSonora. Logging in the Municipio de Yécoraincreased dramatically after the completion ofMéxico 16, and by 2003, most of the commercialtimber had been cut in the Yécora area (VanDevender and Ferguson 2003). Most of the wooded,higher montane areas of Sonora are too difficult toaccess for commercial logging, but that couldchange in the future if new roads are constructed.Finally, many people in Sonora are superstitious orhave unfounded fears of amphibians and reptiles,and many animals are killed indiscriminately.

Although human activities are affectingSonora's herpetofauna, in many ways habitats areless altered than in neighboring Arizona, wherenon-native predators are comparatively numerous,diverse, and widespread; most major rivers aredammed or dried up; and forests are subject tocatastrophic fire due to climate change coupled witha long history of fire suppression that has lead to abuild up of woody fuels. Significant opportunitiesexist in Sonora for working with landowners,ejidatarios, communities, conservation organiza-tions, government agencies, and others to build

support for amphibian and reptile conservationbefore problems such as those in Arizona fullymanifest. Protected areas, such as the El BosqueNacional y Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Ajos-Bavispe, which covers eight mountain ranges innortheastern Sonora, the Reserva de la Biósfera AltoGolfo de California y Delta del Río Colorado,Reserva de la Biósfera Pinacate y Gran Desierto deAltar, El Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Sierrade Alamos- Río Cuchujaqui, and others can be keyto protecting Sonora's herpetofauna and other floraand fauna (Solís-Herrera 2000, Búrquez andMartínez-Yrízar 2007). However, designation ofsuch areas needs to be followed up with develop-ment and implementation of management plans,working with landowners and ejidatarios within andnear the reserves, and staffing the reserves ade-quately to implement plans, monitor species andhabitats, and provide enforcement. In most pro-tected areas much work is yet to be done.

There is a growing awareness of the specialnature of Sonora's remarkable herpetofauna and theneed to protect this legacy. The conservation workof state (CEDES - La Comisión de Ecología yDesarrollo Sustentable del Estado de Sonora) andfederal (e.g. CONANP - La Comisión Nacional deÁreas Naturales Protegidas) agencies, andnon-governmental organizations such as BIDA(Biodiversidad y Desarrollo Armónico), Naturalia,Pronatura, The Nature Conservancy, and others, isgaining momentum, and there is reason to beoptimistic about maintaining Sonora's herpetofaunalbiodiversity. As with the successful initial workwith sea turtle conservation, a critical need is towork with local communities, ejiditarios, andlandowners to foster conservation values foramphibians and reptiles, whether those values beeconomic or cultural. If the people of Sonora seevalue in conserving amphibians and reptiles, thenmaintaining herpetofaunal biodiversity into thefuture will become a much easier goal to achieve.


Table 1. Checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of mainland Sonora, México. Status is given according toMéxico’s “Lista de Especies en Riesgo” (Norma Official Mexicana NOM-059-ECOL-2001), including P = indanger of extinction, A = threatened, and Pr = species of special protection; but also according to the IUCN’sRed List, including CR = critically endangered, EN = endangered, VU = vulnerable, NT = near threatened, andLR/nt = low risk, near threatened.

Scientific (Common) NamesReferences Habitat

Descriptions, Distribution, Status, andOther Notes

AMPHIBIANS

AMBYSTOMATIDAE

Ambystoma rosaceum (Tarahumarasalamander, SalamandraTarahumara, Ajolote) Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. ( 2004).

Highlands; thornscrub(marginal)

Montane streams, pools, and impoundedsprings in the Sierra el Pinito east to theSierras de los Ajos, el Tigre, and SanLuis; and south at least to the SierraSahuaribo E of San Bernardo (G.Ferguson, pers. comm. 2006). Larvaemottled with black on a cream or yellowbackground. Status = Pr

Ambystoma tigrinum (Tigersalamander, Salamandra tigre,Ajolote)Photo, descriptions and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlands Known from the Los Fresnos CiénegaNW of Cananea (S. Stefferud, pers.comm. 2006), where it is presumablynative. An introduced subspecies occurselsewhere in the Northeast near theArizona border and has also beencollected at the Pozo Municipal, PuertoPeñasco. Larvae olive or tan colored withno dark markings. Status = Pr

PLETHODONTIDAE

Pseudoeurycea bellii (Bell's falsebrook salamander, Tlaconete pinto)Keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).

Highlands In Sonora, known only from moistconiferous forest near Rancho El PuertoWSW of Yécora. May occur elsewherein eastern mountains. Status = A, VU

BUFONIDAE

Bufo alvarius (Sonoran Desert toad,Sapo grande, Sapo verde) Photo in Appendix A. Photos,descriptions and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;uncommon in tropicaldeciduous forest andhighlands

This large toad is found throughout mostof Sonora except for the arid westernGran Desierto and higher easternmountains. May be extirpated from RíoColorado. Breeds in permanent water aswell as ephemeral rain pools and cattletanks in summer.

Bufo cognatus (Great Plains toad,Sapo, Sapo de las GrandesPlanicies) Photos, descriptions andkeys in Degenhardt et al. (1996)and Grismer (2002). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub; highlands

Widespread, except for the arid westernGran Desierto, higher eastern mountains,and tropical deciduous forest. Breeds inbackwater pools along streams, rainpools, agricultural ditches, and cattletanks.




Bufo debilis (Green toad, Sapoverde) Photo, descriptions and keysin Degenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands Known from south of Agua Prieta toFronteras. Expected elsewhere ingrasslands and valleys in the Northeast.Breeds in ephemeral rain pools and cattletanks during summer. Status = Pr

Bufo kelloggi (Little Mexican toad,Sapito)

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest(marginal)

Primarily southern and central coastalplain, but records inland to nearHermosillo and north to near Santa Ana(ca. 85 km south of Nogales). Breeds in avariety of habitats (e.g., streams, cattletanks, agriculture). Hybridizes with B.retiformis and B. punctatus. Small (<45mm snout-urostyle length [SUL]),yellow-brown toad with dark blotches,elongate parotoids, and prominent cranialcrests. B. punctatus has round, smallparotoids. B. retiformis is green with darkreticulations and reduced cranial crests.

Bufo marinus (Cane toad, Sapogigante)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Thornscrub; tropicaldeciduous forest

Primarily Southwest, particularly inagricultural and rural areas. Also recordsat Guajaray, Rancho Güirocoba, and nearAlamos. Breeds in a variety of habitats,often in disturbed areas. Sonora's largesttoad (to 18 cm SUL). Massive, elongatedparotoids.

Bufo mazatlanensis (Sinaloa toad,Sapo pinto, Sapo sinaloense)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Sonoran Desert, thornscrub,tropical deciduous forest,highlands

Primarily foothills from Sinaloan bordernorth to near Magdalena andBacadehuachi. On the coast north toGuaymas area. ~Round parotoids aboutthe size of the eye and prominent cranialcrests

Bufo mexicanus (Mexican toad,Sapo del suroeste)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Highlands Permanent rivers and streams withsandbars in the mountains from Yécoraarea north to Bacerac and Rio Saracachieast-northeast of Cucurpe, and likelyelsewhere in the east. Taxonomy ofspecimens from Mazocahui and RanchoLa Brisca (NE of Cucurpe) need furtherstudy (E. Enderson, pers. comm. 2006).Heel tubercles usually blackened inadults. Cranial crests weak or absent.Light bar across eyelids. Status = NT

Bufo occidentalis (Pine toad, Sapode pino)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Highlands Streams in the Yécora area to at least1,900 m, possibly in the Sierra el Tigre,and likely elsewhere in the higher easternmountains. Heel tubercles not blackened.Cranial crests in adults more prominentthan in B. mexicanus.




Bufo punctatus (Red-spotted toad,Sapo pinto, Sapo manchas rojas)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert, thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest;highlands

Found throughout Sonora, except at thehighest elevations and in the valleys ofthe Gran Desierto. Breeds in permanentor ephemeral pools.

Bufo retiformis (Sonoran greentoad, Sapo sonorense)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Breeds in summer in ephemeral rainpools and cattle tanks in valley bottomsfrom Imuris west to Caborca andSonoyta, and south to Hermosillo andpossibly as far as Navojoa, but apparentintergradation with B. kelloggi south ofHermosillo obscures southern limits. Mayoccur on edge of croplands. Declineshave occurred west of Hermosillo due todrought and habitat conversion. Status =Pr

Bufo woodhousei (Woodhouse'stoad, Sapo de Woodhouse, Sapo)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlands Río Colorado Valley and river valleys innortheast south at least to vicinity ofHuásabas (Río Bavispe). Common inagriculture and along slow-moving riversand streams, backwaters, and lakes.

HYLIDAE

Hyla arenicolor (Canyon treefrog,Rana, Ranita de cañon)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest;highlands

Widespread, but absent from aridnorthwest and southwestern coastal plain.Breeds in rocky intermittent or permanentstream courses and pools. Marginal inSonoran Desert.

Hyla wrightorum (Mountaintreefrog, Ranita de montaña)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands includinggrasslands and montanewoodland communities

Rancho Los Fresnos northwest ofCananea (Maldonado-Leal et al. in press),and near Yécora and Nácori Chico.Likely occurs elsewhere in the easternmountains. Breeds in summer inephemeral or permanent pools, streams,and wet meadows.

Pachymedusa dacnicolor (Mexicanleaf frog, Ranita verduzca, Ranaverde)Photo in Appendix A. Photos andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).

Tropical deciduous forest;highlands (marginal)

Southeastern foothills north to nearSahuaripa. Breeds in ephemeral orpermanent pools and streams, typicallywith emergent or overhanging vegetation.Active year round.




Smilisca baudinii (Mexicantreefrog, Rana trepadora, Rana)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Tropical deciduous forest Southern Sonora. Breeds in rivers, creeks,and ponds primarily in the foothills northto at least Tónichi.

Smilisca fodiens (Lowlandburrowing treefrog, Ranita minera,Rana)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest

In foothills and lowlands from NácoriChico, Imuris,, and possibly as far west asRío Sonoyta south to Sinaloa. Breeds inephemeral rain pools and cattle tanksduring summer.

Tlalocohyla smithii (DwarfMexican treefrog, Rana enanaMexicana)


Isolated records from Navojoa north towest of Hermosillo. Also Arroyo SantaBárbara east-northeast of Alamos (E.Enderson, pers. comm. 2006). May occuron Río Cuchujaqui. Breeds primarily inephemeral, sluggish streams and ponds.Small (<37 mm SUL), yellow or tantreefrog, with or without brown flecking.

LEPTODACTYLIDAE

Craugastor augusti (Barking frog,Rana amarilla labradora, Rana)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Thornscrub; tropicaldeciduous forest; highlands

Rocky areas, caves, and mines in theeastern mountains and foothills fromArizona to Sinaloa. As with otherSonoran barking frogs, eggs are laid inmoist places in summer; which hatch intofrogs rather than tadpoles. Has skin foldbetween the tympana. To 95 mm SUL.

Craugastor occidentalis (Taylor'sbarking frog, Rana costeña)

Tropical deciduous forest In Sonora, only known fromChoquincahui area and Sierra de Alamosin the southeast. Very little known aboutthe habits of this small frog. Lacks skinfold between the tympana, and comparedto C. tarahumarensis, it is smaller (<45mm SUL), has smooth skin, and is gray,tan, or brown.

Craugastor tarahumaraensis(Tarahumara barking frog, Ranaladrona amarilla)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004).

Highlands (montanewoodland communities)

In Sonora, only known from Yécora area,may occur elsewhere in pine-oakwoodlands in eastern mountains. Can befound under bark and leaves. Lacks skinfold between the tympana. Greenish frogwith irregular dark spots. Status = Pr,VU.

Leptodactylus melanonotus(Sabinal frog, Ranita del sabinal,Ranita)Photo in Appendix A.


Lowlands and foothills from Hermosilloarea south to Sinaloa. Eggs laid in foamnests in burrows near rivers, streams, andother wet areas. Occasional inagriculture. To 41 mm SUL.




Syrrhophus interorbitalis(Spectacled chirping frog, Ranitade lentes, Rana-chirriadoraanteojuda)

Highlands (montanewoodland communities);tropical deciduous forest

A single specimen from Hwy 16, 26 kmeast of Yécora (Enderson and Bezy2007). A specimen from the SierraChinipas, Chihuahua (Lemos-Espinal,pers. comm. 2006), near the Sonoranborder east of San Bernardo, suggests itlikely occurs in the mountains to thesouth, as well. Small (<31 mm SUL),delicate, greenish frog with irregular,connected dark spots and a distinctivelight bar between the eyes. Status = Pr.

MICROHYLIDAE

Gastrophryne olivacea (GreatPlains narrow-mouthed toad, Ranitaolivo, Sapito, Rana pajarito) Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Occurs throughout most of Sonora exceptthe Gran Desierto and the highestnortheastern mountains. Breeds primarilyin ephemeral pools and cattle tanksduring summer. To 41 mm SUL. Status= Pr.

Hypopachus variolosus (Sheepfrog, Rana ovejera, Sapito)

Tropical deciduous forest Alamos area and Río Cuchujaqui. Asingle known extant population. Breedsin ephemeral pools in summer. Similar toGastrophryne but usually larger (to 50mm SUL) and ventral surface is mottled(white or white with small dark spots inGastrophryne).

SCAPHIOPODIDAE

Spea bombifrons (Plains spadefoot,Sapo de espuela de los llanos)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands includingChihuahuan Desert andgrasslands

Unconfirmed for Sonora. However, likelyoccurs in northeastern valleys. Breeds inephemeral rain pools and cattle tanks insummer.

Scaphiopus couchii (Couch'sspadefoot, Sapo de espuela, Sapo)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert, thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest;highlands

Widespread, but absent from mountainsand valleys above about 1830 m. Breedsin ephemeral rain pools and cattle tanksin summer.

Spea multiplicata (Mexicanspadefoot, Sapo montícola deespuela)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlands Primarily northern valleys from Sonoytaeast to Sierra San Luis and south toArizpe. Breeds in ephemeral rain poolsand cattle tanks in summer.




RANIDAE

Rana berlandieri (Río Grandeleopard frog, Rana leopardo)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Introduced from New Mexico or Texas inthe 1960s or 1970s. Found in the RíoColorado Valley, including the RíoColorado, Ciénega de Santa Clara, andadjacent agriculture (see Rorabaugh andServoss 2006). Status = Pr.

Rana blairi (Plains leopard frog,Rana de llano)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands (grasslands) Unconfirmed for Sonora, but may occurin cattle tanks and ponds near AguaPrieta in the northeast.

Rana catesbeiana (Americanbullfrog, Rana mugidora, Rana detoro)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlands Introduced. Río Colorado Valley, as wellas rivers, ponds, and croplands in theNortheast. Recorded at Vícam east ofCiudad Obregón; may occur elsewhere insouthwestern croplands.

Rana chiricahuensis (Chiricahualeopard frog, Rana de Chiricahua)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Rivers, ciénegas, cattle tanks, and otherwetlands in mountains and valleys fromYécora north to Sierra San Luis complexand Nogales area. Status = A, VU.

Rana forreri (Forrer's grass frog,Rana del zacate)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Southwestern coastal plain south ofPitaya (southeast of Empalme) and PresaAlvaro Obregón. Breeds in permanentwater, including agricultural areas. Largefrog, posterior dorsolateral folds notmedially displaced and more or lesscontinuous. Status = Pr.

Rana magnaocularis (NorthwestMéxico leopard frog, Ranaleopardo del noreste de México,Rana)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Sonoran Desert (marginal);thornscrub; tropicaldeciduous forest

From Moctezuma, and vicinities ofHermosillo and Guaymas south intoSinaloa. Breeds in lower montane as wellas coastal streams, rivers, and pools. Alsooccurs in agriculture on the southwesterncoastal plain. Similar to R. yavapaiensisbut lacks ventral yellow coloration, adultmales have conspicuous vocal sacs, andpattern on rear of thigh more similar to Rberlandieri or R. blairi.




Rana pustulosa (Cascade frog,Rana de cascada)Photo in Appendix A.

Tropical deciduous forest Extreme southeastern Sonora in montanecreeks and canyons. Hybridizes withTarahumara frog at Arroyo el Cobre nearChoquincahui. Similar to R.tarahuamarae, but has bolderdorsolateral folds and light stripe onupper lip. Status = Pr.

Rana tarahumarae (Tarahumarafrog, Rana de tara, Rana cuajo,Sibo'li de tara [tadpoles])Photo in Appendix A. Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Rugged, lower montane canyons andplunge pools from near Magdalena andBavispe south through the easternmountains to Sinaloa and east intoChihuahua. Status = VU.

Rana yavapaiensis (Lowlandleopard frog, Rana de Yavapai,Rana)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;highlands

Streams, rivers, ciénegas, cattle tanks,and other wetlands at lower elevations inthe northeast south to Hwy 16. Extirpatedfrom Río Colorado. Status = Pr.

REPTILES

CROCODYLIDAE

Crocodylus acutus (Americancrocodile, Cocodrilo Americano,Xepe ano heepni)

Marine environments in theGulf of California

Occurred in coastal wetlands and riverdeltas perhaps as far north as the RíoColorado delta. Now extirpated. Lastobserved in 1973 near Guaymas. Status= Pr, VU.

CHELONIIDAE

Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle,Tortuga caguama, Tortuga perica,Xpeyo)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).


Large (to 0.95 m in the Gulf) and rareturtle of the Gulf of California. Notknown to nest in Sonora. Status = P, EN.

Chelonia mydas (Green turtle,Parlama, Tortuga negra, Tortugaprieta, Moosni)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).


Large (to 1.1 m) marine turtle of the Gulfof California. Most commonlyencountered marine turtle off the Sonorancoast. Small numbers nest on centralcoastal beaches. Status = P, EN.

Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbillturtle, Carey, Perico, Moosniquipáacalc)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).


Large (to 0.9 m, but most are 0.3-0.5 m inthe Gulf) marine turtle, which is morecommon in the southern Gulf. May enterrivers or creeks on the coast. Not knownto nest in Sonora. Their shells are highlyprized for illegal production of jewelryand souvenirs. Status = P, CR.




Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive ridleyturtle, Tortuga golfina, Golfina,Moosni otác)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).


Large (to 0.7 m) marine turtle of the Gulfof California. Nests uncommonly onbeaches as far north as Puerto Peñascoand El Golfo de Santa Clara. Status = P,EN.

DERMOCHELYIDAE

Dermochelys coriacea(Leatherback turtle, Laúd, Sietefilos, Moosnípol) Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).


Large (to 2.4 m, but typically <1.0 m inthe Gulf) and rare marine turtle. Nestsrarely on central and possibly southerncoastal beaches (Seminoff and Nichols2007). Status = P, CR.

GEOEMYDIDAE

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima(Painted wood turtle, Tortuga pinta,Tortuga colorado)Photo in Appendix A.

Tropical deciduous forest Found along streams and arroyos in thefoothills of extreme Southeast (e.g.,Alamos, Choquincahui, and Güirocoba).Semi-aquatic. Keeled carapace and lackswebbing between toes. Status = Pr.

EMYDIDAE

Terrapene nelsoni (Spotted boxturtle, Tortuga del monte, Tortugade caja, Juanon)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


A terrestrial turtle found in woodlandsfrom the Sierra de Batuc, ~10 km east ofNácori Chico (A. Flesch, pers. comm.2006), and possibly the Sierra Huachinerasouth to Alamos, Güirocoba, and Sinaloa.Carapace dark with light spots. Status =Pr.

Terrapene ornata (Western boxturtle, Tortuga de adornos)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Thornscrub (marginal);highlands

A terrestrial turtle found primarily invalley grasslands and Chihuahuan Desertnorth of Santa Ana (ca. 85 km south ofNogales) and Arizpe to Arizona duringthe summer. Status = LR/nt.

Trachemys nebulosa (Fuerte slider,Jicotea Fuerte, Tortuga de agua,Tortuga Juan)

Tropical deciduous forest An aquatic turtle of the Río Cuchujaquiand other permanent water in the RíoFuerte drainage. Taxonomy of SonoranTrachemys follows Seidel (2002). OnlyTrachemys in its range in Sonora.

Trachemys yaquia (Yaqui slider,Jicotea Yaqui, Tortuga de agua)Photo in Appendix A.


An aquatic turtle of rivers, presas, andother permanent water of the Ríos Sonoraand Bavispe south to the Río Mayo. OnlyTrachemys in its range.

KINOSTERNIDAE

Kinosternon alamosae (Alamosmud turtle, Casquito de Alamos,Tortuga de agua)Photo in Appendix A.


An aquatic pond turtle found from theRío Sonora near Ures south to Guaymasand Alamos, and into Sinaloa. One pairof short chin barbels. No distinct stripesor reticulations on face. Elevated 10th

marginal scute.




Kinosternon arizonense (Arizonamud turtle, Tortuga de los charcos,Tortuga de agua, Xtamáaija)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub An aquatic pond turtle from near Altarand Nogales south to near Tecoripa andPitaya SE of Guaymas. Similar to K.alamosae but elevated 9th and 10th

marginal scutes.

Kinosternon integrum (Mexicanmud turtle, Casquito de burro,Tortuga de agua)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Thornscrub; tropicaldeciduous forest; highlands(marginal)

An aquatic turtle of foothill ponds andstreams from the Sierra el Chinito E ofBaviácora (Enderson et al. 2007) southinto Sinaloa. Three or more pairs of shortchin barbels, has stripes and reticulationson face. Status = Pr

Kinosternon sonoriense (Sonoramud turtle, Casquito de Sonora,Tortuga de agua, Xtamáaija)Photo in Appendix A. Photo,descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;highlands includingChihuahuan Desert,grasslands, and montanewoodland communities

An aquatic stream and pond turtleprimarily in the northeast south toYécora.Isolated populations on the Río Sonoytaand adjacent wetlands, and on the RíoAltar. Likely extirpated from RíoColorado. Long chin barbels, stripes andreticulations on face. Adult males have“claspers” on contacting surfaces ofshank and thigh (K. integrum does not).Status = VU

TESTUDINIDAE

Gopherus agassizii (Desert tortoise,Tortuga del monte, Galápago dedesierto, Xtamóosni) Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo and descrip-tions in Brennan and Holycross(2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest;highlands (marginal)

A large (to 0.4 m) terrestrial tortoisefound throughout much of Sonora exceptfor the higher mountains as well asvalleys of the western Gran Desierto.Tortoises from tropical deciduous forestsouth into Sinaloa may represent aseparate species or subspecies (Karl et al.2006). Status = VU.

TRIONYCHIDAE

Apalone spinifera (Spiny softshell,Tortuga de concha blanda)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlands Introduced. An aquatic turtle collected atCiénega de Santa Clara (J. Campoy, pers.comm. 2007). Probably occurs elsewherein the Río Colorado Valley and likely onthe Río San Pedro, as well. Status = Pr.

EUBLEPHARIDAE

Coleonyx fasciatus (Black bandedgecko, Geco de manchas negras,Salamanquesa)


Records from near Alamos and Tónichi,but a specimen from Arizpe suggests thisspecies may occur elsewhere inthornscrub. Nocturnala. Bold, bandedpattern (3 dark bands between the limbs)with distinct separation of dorsal andventral ground colors.




Coleonyx variegatus (Westernbanded gecko, Salamanquesa defranjas, Cozíxol)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Throughout western Sonora from SanLuis Río Colorado east to near Cucurpeand south to Guaymas. Isolated recordfrom near Huásabas. Nocturnala

GEKKONIDAE

Hemidactylus turcicus(Mediterranean house gecko, Gecopinto)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Introduced nocturnala gecko of cities andtowns, often in and around buildings atnight. Collected in Baha Kino (A.Peralta-García, pers. comm. 2007) and ElGolfo de Santa Clara, and reported fromSan Luis Río Colorado (R. Rodriguez,pers. comm. 2005). Likely occurs locallyat Puerto Peñasco, Agua Prieta, andelsewhere. Will likely spread to otherdeveloped areas.

Phyllodactylus homolepidurus(Sonoran leaf-toed gecko,Salamanquesa de Sonora)

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub From near El Oasis north of Hermosilloand on the coast at Punta Cirio south atleast to Guaymas area in rocky habitatswhere it is often found in crevices orunder rocks during the day. Also foundaround buildings. Nocturnala. Status = Pr.

Phyllodactylus tuberculosus(Yellowbelly gecko, Gecotuberculoso, Salamanquesa)Photo in Appendix A. Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004).


Rocky foothills from Sinaloa north atleast to Hwy 16. Also found aroundbuildings. Nocturnala, but often observedin rock crevices by day. Very similar toP. homolepidurus, but dorsal tubercles atmid body are larger and more keeled, andthe base of each tubercle is oval (ratherthan round).

HELODERMATIDAE

Heloderma horridum (Mexicanbeaded lizard, Escorpíon grande, Escorpíon)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


Very large (to 0.9 mb) lizard of foothillsfrom Sinaloa north at least to Sahuaripa(J. Lemos Espinal, pers. comm. 2006).Tail length >60% of snout-vent length(SVL). This and the Gila monster are theonly two venomous lizards in the world. Status = A, VU.

Heloderma suspectum (Gilamonster, Escorpíon, Escorpíonpintado, Escorpíon pequeño, Paaza)Photo in Appendix A. Photo,descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Widespread, but absent from valleys ofthe western Gran Desierto, as well aseast-central Sonora. Venomous. Smallerthan Mexican beaded lizard, tail length<56% of SVL, tongue black (pink in H.horridum), and top of head mottled blackand pink (usually all black in H.horridum). Status = A, VU.




IGUANIDAE/IGUANINAE

Ctenosaura macrolopha (Sonoranspiny-tailed iguana, Iguana de tierrafirme, Iguana, Heepni)Photo in Appendix A. Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Large lizard of foothills and valleys,inland from south of El Oasis (Hwy 15)to Sinaloa, and on the coast fromGuaymas area south. May be observed intrees, on rocks or walls, or on the ground.Status = Pr.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis (Desertiguana, Porohui, Iguana, Meyo)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo and descrip-tions in Brennan and Holycross(2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Throughout western Sonora south to RíoFuerte, Sinaloa. Particularly abundant inarid Gran Desierto valleys and flats.

Sauromalus ater (Commonchuckwalla, Iguana, Coof coopol)Photo in Appendix A. Photo,descriptions, and keys in Grismer(2002). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006)

Sonoran Desert Large-bodied lizard of rocky slopes andoutcrops throughout Sonoran Desert fromEmpalme north to Arizona. Status = A.

IGUANIDAE/CROTAPHYTINAE

Crotaphytus collaris (Easterncollared lizard, Cachorón, Lagartijade collar)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands Northeast from Sierra San Luis complexwest to Santa Cruz (NW of Cananea) andsouth to Arizpe and near Huásabas.Found in sunny areas with rocks andboulders. Status = A.

Crotaphytus dickersonae(Dickerson's collared lizard,Lagartija de collar, Cachorón, Hastcoof)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).

Sonoran Desert Restricted to rocky areas near thecoastline from Bahía Kino to hills justnorth of Puerto Libertad (E. Enderson,pers. comm. 2006). Adult males aredistinctly blue (females are brown, butwith orange banding in breeding season).

Crotaphytus nebrius (Sonorancollared lizard, Lagartija de collar,Cachorón, Hast coof)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;highlands (marginal)

Mountains and foothills from the GranDesierto south to near Empalme, east toGüisamopa near Yécora, and northeast tonear Villa Hidalgo.

Gambelia wislizenii (Long-nosedleopard lizard, Lagartija matacaballo, Cachorón, Hantpízal)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout flats and valleys fromGuaymas north to the Gran Desierto andnortheast to Fronteras. Most commonlyencountered in Sonoran Desert. Status =Pr.




IGUANIDAE/PHRYNOSOMATINAE

Callisaurus draconoides(Zebra-tailed lizard, Cachora,Perrita, Ctamófi)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout much of Sonora, excepthigher eastern mountains and valleys.Particularly common in sandy or gravellyflats and washes. Status = A.

Cophosaurus texanus (Greaterearless lizard, Lagartijon sordo,Cachora)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Thornscrub; highlands Northeast, from Arizona border south tonear Huásabas. Distribution in Sonorapoorly documented. Primarily inmid-elevation valleys and bajadas withsandy or gravelly soils. Status = A.

Holbrookia approximans (Speckledearless lizard, Lagartija sordamanchadita, Cachorita)Keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).


Known from the Sierra San Luis near theChihuahuan and U.S. borders (Smith etal. 2006). Similar to H. elegans butoccurs at higher elevations (>1,220 m).The distribution and taxonomy of the twoHolbrookia species needs furtherinvestigation in the Northeast. Crother etal. (2000) considers this taxon asubspecies of H. maculata.

Holbrookia elegans (Elegantearless lizard, Lagartija sordaMexicana, Cachorita)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004). Photos and descriptionsin Brennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands includingChihuahuan Desert,grasslands, and montanewoodland communities;Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest

Widespread in western and centralSonora from the Arizona border south toSinaloa, but absent from the GranDesierto west of Sonoyta, the extremeNortheast, and higher mountains. Oftenfound in sandy or gravelly areas.

Phrynosoma cornutum (Texashorned lizard, Camaleón Texano)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) and Sher-brooke (2003). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Northeastern valleys from eastern RíoSan Pedro Valley east to the Sierra SanLuis complex and south to Fronteras.Status = A.

Phrynosoma ditmarsi (Rock hornedlizard, Camaleón de piedra)Photos, descriptions, and keys inSherbrooke (2003).

Thornscrub; highlands Only known from near Nácori Chico, theSierras Manzanal and Baviacora, and atRancho La Mula near Tónichi. Expectedelsewhere in eastern Sonora. Similar to P.hernandesi, but shorter horns and keeledventral scales. Status = A.




Phrynosoma goodei (Sonoranhorned lizard, Camaleón deSonora)Photos, descriptions, and keys inSherbrooke (2003). Photo and des-criptions in Brennan and Holycross(2006) as P. platyrhinos.

Sonoran Desert Northwest – distribution similar to P.mcallii, but south to Río San Ignacio andoften found in coarser sands or gravelscloser to or within the mountains.

Phrynosoma hernandesi (Greatershort-horned lizard, Camaleón decuernos-pequeños de montaña)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) and Sher-brooke (2003). Keys in Lemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands includinggrasslands and montanewoodland communities

Northeastern mountains and high valleysfrom the Sierras el Tigre and San Luiswest to ranges near Cananea. Can befound in the highest mountain areas,often with sandy or gravelly soils.

Phrynosoma mcallii (Flat-tailedhorned lizard, Camaleón de colaplana, Camaleón del Gran Desierto)Photo in Appendix A. Photo,descriptions, and keys in Grismer(2002) and Sherbrooke (2003).Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Arid, sandy flats and low dunes of theGran Desierto from San Luis RíoColorado southeast to and perhapsbeyond Bahía San Jorge. Status = A.

Phrynosoma modestum(Round-tailed horned lizard,Camaleón)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) and Sher-brooke (2003). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Gravelly or rocky foothills, bajadas, andvalleys in Chihuahuan Desert andadjacent grasslands in extreme northeast.

Phrynosoma orbiculare (Mountainhorned lizard, Camaleón demontaña)Photos, descriptions, and keys inSherbrooke (2003). Photo and keysin Lemos-Espinal et al. (2004).


In Sonora, only known from montanewoodlands near Yécora. May occurelsewhere in eastern mountains.Distinguished from P. hernandesi bylonger horns and tail. Status = A.

Phrynosoma solare (Regal hornedlizard, Camaleón real, Hantcoáaxoj)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) and Sher-brooke (2003). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Widespread, but absent from westernGran Desierto (west and south of thePinacate Region) and mountains ofeastern Sonora.




Sceloporus clarkii (Clark's spinylizard, Lagartija espinosa de Clark,Cachora, Haasj)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Lower mountains and foothills throughoutmost of Sonora except arid northwest.Often found in trees, sometimes on theground or on rocks.

Sceloporus cowlesi (Southwesternfence lizard, Lagartija de pampa,Cachora)Photos and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).


Northeastern valleys, bajadas, andfoothills. Similar to Sceloporus virgatusbut typically occurs at lower elevations.

Sceloporus horridus (Horriblespiny lizard, Torosco, Cachorón)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Tropical deciduous forest;highlands

Southeastern foothills and mountainssouth of Hwy 16. Isolated andquestionable record from La Poza southof Hermosillo. Compared to S. clarkii,this species has <8 femoral pores (total,both thighs; S. clarkii has >15), lacksprominent forearm bands, and males havewidely separated, faint blue patches onthe throat (S. clarkii has largeblack-bordered, blue throat patches thatoften converge). Found on logs, rocks,posts. More localized than S. clarkii.

Sceloporus jarrovi (Yarrow's spinylizard, Cachorón, Lagartijaespinosa de Yarrow)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Thornscrub; highlands(montane woodland com-munities)

Mostly above 1,300 m on rocks andsometimes trees in wooded areas or rockyslopes in the mountains of the northeastfrom the Arizona border south to Yécoraarea.

Sceloporus lemosespinali(Chihuahuan mezquite lizard,Chintete de mezquite deChihuahua, Cachora)Photo in Appendix A. Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).


Montane woodlands at 1,800-2,500 m inthe Sierra Madre Occidental andassociated ranges (Sierras San Luis, ElTigre, and Huachinera) south to Sinaloa.Formerly considered S. grammicus(Lara-Góngora 2004).

Sceloporus magister (Desert spinylizard, Lagartija espinosa deldesierto, Cachorón, Haasj)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Lowland plains and foothills fromAgiabampo north to Arizona. Also inlower elevation highlands. Absent fromtreeless valleys in the Gran Desierto.Often found on trees or rocks.




Sceloporus nelsoni (Nelson's spinylizard, Lagartija espinosa deNelson, Cachorita)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Tropical deciduous forest Foothills from near Santa Ana de Yécorasouth to Sinaloa. Rocks and cliffs, oftenin shaded arroyos near water. Small, darkspiny lizard with barred throat.

Sceloporus poinsettii (Crevicespiny lizard, Largartija espinosa debarrada, Cachorón)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).

Highlands Rocky hillsides and canyons in arid scrubor woodlands. Isolated records from areasof Yécora, Mesa Tres Ríos, and east ofHuachinera. Likely occurs elsewhere atmoderate elevations in the northeast.

Sceloporus slevini (Slevin'sbunchgrass lizard, Lagartija depastizal de Slevin, Cachora)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004). Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Northeast, from Yécora area north toArizona and east into Chihuahua. Grassyplains to high in the mountains.

Sceloporus virgatus (Stripedplateau lizard, Lagartija de mesetarayada, Cachora)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Mostly above 1,500 m in wooded easternmountains from Yécora area north toArizona.

Uma rufopunctata (Yuman Desertfringe-toed lizard, Lagartija demanchas laterals, Cachora)Photo in Appendix A. Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Dunes and flats with fine, windblownsand in the Northwest from near San LuisRío Colorado southeast to Punta Tepoca.Status = A.

Urosaurus bicarinatus (Tropicaltree lizard, Roñito, Lagartija,Cachorita)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Thornscrub (marginal);tropical deciduous forest

Southeastern foothills south of Nuri.Often on tree trunks or branches. Similarto U. ornatus, but has sharply pointedventral scales and males have yellow ormottled (rather than blue) throats. Onerow of paravertebral scales on each sideof the spine.

Urosaurus graciosus (Long-tailedbrush lizard, Lagartija de matorral,Cachorita)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Typically found on the branches ofcreosote, mesquite, and other trees orshrubs in the northwest from Arizonasouth to Puerto Libertad area.




Urosaurus ornatus (Ornate treelizard, Lagartija de árbol, Lagartija,Cachorita, Hehe iti cooscl)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest;highlands includingChihuahuan Desert,grasslands, and montanewoodland communities

Throughout Sonora, except for thehighest mountains and treeless flats in theGran Desierto. Typically found on treesor rocks.

Uta stansburiana (Commonside-blotched lizard, Cachora gris,Tozípla)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Widespread in Sonoran Desert flats andmountains; also in thornscrub south tonear Pitaya (SE of Empalme), and entershighlands near Nogales and extremenortheast.

XANTUSIIDAE

Xantusia vigilis (Desert nightlizard, Cuija, Salamanquesa,Cozíxoj)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Isolated localities from near Bahía Kinonorth into the western Gran Desierto. Canbe found under dead agaves, yuccas,nolinas, and cardons, but also in rocks.Nocturnala.

POLYCHRIDAE

Anolis nebulosus (Clouded anole,Pañuelo, Lagartija, Cachorita)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


Eastern foothills from Sinaloa north toRío Nácori NE of Nácori Chico. Recordfor La Poza south of Hermosillo. Oftenfound on branches of trees and shrubs.

SCINCIDAE

Plestiodon brevirostris (Shortnoseskink, Salamanquesa, Ajolotec) Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Highlands Unconfirmed for Sonora; however, aspecimen from Milpillas, Chihuahuasuggests it likely occurs in the SierraMilpillas, Sonora. Found in montanewoodlands. Striped with 22-24 scale rowsat mid body and one postmental scale.

Plestiodon callicephalus (Mountainskink, Lincer de barranco,Salamanquesa, Ajolotec)Keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Secretive species of woodlands and forestsin the eastern mountains, from Arizona toSinaloa and east into Chihuahua. Striped,usually two postmental scales, and 26-28scale rows at mid body. Light “V” markatop head.




Plestiodon obsoletus (Great Plainsskink, Lincer llanero,Salamanquesa)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Secretive species of grassy plains andcanyons east and northeast of Hermosillo.Rarely encountered. No stripes, juvenilesblack.

Plestiodon parviauriculatus(Northern pygmy skink,Salamanquesa, Ajolotec)Keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).


Secretive species of woodlands in south-eastern mountains and foothills fromSinaloa north at least to Yécora area.Striped with 19-20 scale rows at mid bodyand one postmental scale. No light “V”mark atop head. Status = Pr.

TEIIDAE

Aspidoscelis burti (Canyon spottedwhiptail, Güico, Huico, Ctoixa)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Montane canyons and foothills fromnortheastern and north-central Sonorasouth to Guaymas area and throughcentral, lower foothills possibly toSinaloa. Taxonomy of A. burti/costatacomplex needs further work (see Reederet al. 2002).

Aspidoscelis costata (WesternMéxico whiptail, Huico llanero,Huico)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004).


From Huásabas area in the northeastsouth through the mountains and foothills(east of range of A. burti) to Sinaloa(Wright 1994). Often found in openingsand second growth forest or scrub. In thefoothills, large individuals are spotted andlack stripes, similar to A. burti, but havemuch blue/black on the ventral surface(A. burti is white or cream), and a lightblue chin. To the east, large individualsare more striped and less likely to havedarkened ventral surface and blue chins.Small adults and juveniles are striped.

Aspidoscelis exsanguis(Chihuahuan spotted whiptail,Huico pinto de Chihuahua, Huico)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Northeastern rocky hillsides and sandycanyon bottoms from the Sierra San Luiswest to near Naco and south to nearMoctezuma, the eastern slope of theSierra Huachinera, and La Mesa TresRíos.




Aspidoscelis opatae (Opatawhiptail, Huico opata, Huico)

Thornscrub; highlands In the valley of the Río Bavispe fromPresa Angostura south to Huásabas. Alsoreported from Huachinera. All female,with seven light strips and no spotsbetween the stripes. Adults exhibit dorsalground color of gray to blue-gray, no bluecolor on ventral surface of head andbody, a minimum of 10 scales betweenthe paravertebral stripes, and granularpostantebrachial scales. Tail blue (at leasttowards the end) on adults and juveniles(Wright 1967). May be a complex ofthree distinct taxa (Wright 1994).

Aspidoscelis sonorae (Sonoranspotted whiptail, Huico manchadode Sonora, Huico)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Thornscrub; highlandsincluding Chihuahuan Desert,grasslands, and montanewoodland communities

Northeastern bajadas, foothills, andmountains from southwest of Nogales toNácori Chico, Cerro La Agualurcasoutheast of Hermosillo, and Güisamopanear Yécora.

Aspidoscelis tigris (Tiger whiptail,Huico occidental, Huico)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


San Luis Río Colorado east to Pilares deNacozari, and south along the coastalplain and lower foothills to Sinaloa.Often common in Sonoran Desert.

Aspidoscelis uniparens (Desertgrassland whiptail, Huico de lapradera del desierto, Huico)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlandsincluding Chihuahuan Desertand grasslands

Grassy plains and bajadas often withshrubs and mesquite north and east fromSierra Los Locos (near San Felipenortheast of Hermosillo) to Arizona.

Aspidoscelis xanthonota(Red-backed whiptail, Huico dedorsorojo, Huico)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Unconfirmed for Sonora; however, likelyoccurs in desert mountains (e.g., SierrasCubabi, San Francisco, and/or Pinacate)near Sonoyta.

ANGUIDAE

Elgaria kingii (Madrean alligatorlizard, Largartija, Lagarto demontaña)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Thornscrub; tropicaldeciduous forest; highlandsincluding Chihuahuan Desert,grasslands, and montanewoodland communities

Secretive species typically found inrocky, wooded canyons or mountains, oralong rivers from the Nogales area east toChihuahua and south through themountains and foothills to Sinaloa.Isolated population at Nacapule CanyonNW Guaymas. Status = Pr.




LEPTOTYPHLOPIDAE

Leptotyphlops dissectus (NewMexico threadsnake, Culebrillaciega de Nuevo México)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands Unconfirmed for Sonora, but likelyoccurs in valleys and mountains in theextreme northeast. Typically in fine,loose soil suitable for burrowing, oftenwith surface rocks. Small, secretivespecies.

Leptotyphlops humilis (Westernthreadsnake, Culebrilla ciega deoccidente, Viboríta)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Distributed throughout Sonora except forthe high northeastern mountains. Likelyabsent from arid valleys of the westernGran Desierto. Small, secretive,burrowing species.

BOIIDAE

Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor,Limacoa, Macoa, Corúa, Boa,Xazáacoj)Photo in Appendix A. Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).


Throughout tropical deciduous forest andthornscrub as well as adjacent richSonoran Desert and lower highlands.Inland to within 80 km (Magdalena PalmCanyon northwest of Cucurpe) or less ofthe Arizona border. Occurs on the coastnorth to Bahía Kino (E. Enderson, pers.comm. 2006). Heavy bodied snake to >2mb. Status = A.

Lichanura trivirgata (Rosy boa,Boa rosada, Maxáa)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Rocky slopes and bajadas in the GranDesierto south to mountains southeast ofEmpalme. Status = A.

COLUBRIDAE

Arizona elegans (Glossy snake,Culebra brillante, Coimaj)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;highlands; tropical deciduousforest

Primarily a species of Sonoran Desertflats and valleys, found from the GranDesierto east to the Nogales area andsouth along the coast and lower foothillsinto Sinaloa.

Chilomeniscus stramineus(Variable sand snake, Culebra delos médanos, Coralillo falso,Hapéquet Camízj)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo and descrip-tions in Brennan and Holycross(2006).


Burrowing species that occurs in theeastern Gran Desierto and near Sasabe onthe Arizona border south to near theSinaloan border. Primarily a SonoranDesert species of sandy or gravellyarroyos with leaf litter. Records fromtropical deciduous forest near Alamos.




Chionactis occipitalis (Westernshovel-nosed snake, Coralillo falso,Hant quip)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Northwestern flats and valleys fromPuerto Libertad north and west to SanLuis Río Colorado. Abundant in sandyflats and low dunes.

Chionactis palarostris (Sonoranshovel-nosed snake, Culebrapalanaria de Sonora)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Primarily Sonoran Desert from Guaymasnorth to Sonoyta and near Magdalena,and to the foothills east of Hermosillo, ingravelly bajadas and sandy to rocky flatswith relatively open vegetation.

Diadophis punctatus (Ring-neckedsnake, Culebra de collar)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Thornscrub; highlands Higher thornscrub canyons, lowerhighlands and valleys in the northeastfrom Arizona to the Yécora area.

Drymarchon melanurus (Westernindigo snake, Babutua, Babatuco,Culebra azul, Culebra prieta)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004).


Southern Sonoran foothills and valleysfrom Sinaloa north at least to lower RíoAros and near San Javier north of SuaquiGrande (Río Yaqui). Often near water. Large individuals are >2 mb. Most activeduring morning and late afternoon.

Drymobius margaritiferus(Speckled racer, Corredoramoteada, Culebra)

Tropical deciduous forest Foothills in extreme southern Sonora,often near water. Records from nearAlamos, Río Cuchujaqui, Choquincahui,and Güirocoba. Diurnala and primarilyterrestrial. Dorsal scales dark, each with ayellow or cream spot.

Geophis dugesii (Dugés's earthsnake, Minadora de Dugés)Photo in Appendix A. Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004).


Documented in the mountains nearYécora as the subspecies G. d.aquilonaris. Likely occurs elsewhere inthe southeastern mountains from Sinaloanorth to at least Hwy 16. Rarelyencountered. Black-and-white bandedpattern similar to Tropidodipsas repleta,but with a light band on the neck, more(>172) ventral scales (<156 in T. repleta),and distinctive head scalation.

Gyalopium canum (Chihuahuanhook-nosed snake, Culebra denaricilla occidental)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands includingChihuahuan Desert,grasslands, and montanewoodland communities

Burrowing species typically of arid flatsand grasslands from Yécora north andnorthwest to Arizona. Occasionally foundin mountains. Rarely encountered inSonora.




Gyalopium quadrangulare(Thornscrub hook-nosed snake,Corallilo, Viboríta)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).


Widespread, but not found in aridnorthwest or higher areas of easternSonora. Burrowing species typically ofrolling terrain and foothills, mostcommonly in thornscrub and tropicaldeciduous forest. Status = Pr.

Heterodon nasicus (Western hog-nosed snake, Culebra nariz decerdo occidental)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands High northeastern desert or grasslandvalleys, often in sandy or loose soilssuitable for burrowing. Smith et al.(2003) consider the subspecies in Sonorato be a separate species – H. kennerlyi.Status = Pr.

Hypsiglena torquata (Nightsnake,Culebra de la noche, Coimajcoospoj)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout Sonora from low desertvalleys well into the mountains. Likelyabsent from highest eastern mountainsand valleys of the western Gran Desierto.

Imantodes gemmistratus (CentralAmerican tree snake, Cordelilla dela escamuda, Culebra)Photo in Appendix A.


Extremely thin-bodied, arboreal speciesfound on roads at night or in low treesand shrubs in the southeastern foothills atleast as far north as Hwy 16. Especiallyactive after summer rains. Status = Pr.

Lampropeltis getula (Commonkingsnake, Culebra real común)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout Sonora except for aridvalleys in the Gran Desierto and thehighest mountains in the east. Status = A.

Lampropeltis pyromelana (Sonoranmountain kingsnake, Culebra realde montaña Sonora)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Found in wooded mountains of easternSonora above 1,200 m from the SierrasMariquita and San Luis south probablyinto Sinaloa. Lemos-Espinal et al. (2003)consider snakes from the Yécora areasouth to be a separate species (L.knoblochi). Status = A.

Lampropeltis triangulum (Milksnake, Coralilla)Photo in Appendix A. Photos,descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Foothills from Sinaloa north to at leastSanta Rosa area on Hwy 16. May alsooccur in grasslands in northeasternhighlands. Status = A.




Leptodeira punctata (Westerncat-eyed snake, Escombrera deloccidente México)

Thornscrub Only known from Río Yaqui near CiudadObregón. Expected elsewhere in southernSonora. Found near water. Can be foundon the ground or in low shrubs or trees.Vertical pupils. Small, often paired spotson the dorsum.

Leptodeira splendida (Splendid cat-eyed snake, Escombrera ojo degato)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal (2004).


In the east from Sinaloa north at least toHighway 16 (near San Nicolas andMaycoba). Most records from east ofAlamos to Choquincahui and Güirocoba.Often arboreal near water. Verticalpupils. Large, dark blotches on dorsum.

Leptophis diplotropis (Pacific coastparrot snake, Culebra verde,Güirotillera)

Tropical deciduous forest Primarily extreme southeastern foothills(e.g., Alamos area, Río Cuchujaqui,Choquincahui, and Güirocoba), butisolated record from near Cumpas. Alert,slender snake. Typically arboreal in treesand shrubs, but sometimes on the ground.Diurnala. Status = A.

Photo in Appendix A. Photos andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).

Masticophis bilineatus (Sonoranwhipsnake, Chirrionero, Culebra depollo, Alicante, Coimaj coopol)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout Sonora except for aridnorthwestern valleys and mountains westof the Sierra Pinacate. Diurnala and oftenarboreal. Found to high in the mountains.

Masticophis flagellum (Coachwhip,Chirrionera, Chicotera, Alicante,Alicantre, Coimaj coopol)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout most of Sonora, except thehighest mountains in the East. Found onthe ground or in trees and shrubs.Diurnala. Status = A.

Masticophis mentovarius(Neotropical whipsnake,Chirrionera, Alicante)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


Southeastern foothills and mountainsfrom Sinaloa north to at least Santa Anade Yécora. Primarily terrestrial in openareas. Diurnala. Similar to M. flagellumbut heavier bodied with a broader head,adults are gray or tan with no distinctstripes, chin and throat are unspotted, anddorsal scales are usually tippedposteriorly with black.




Mastigodryas cliftoni (Clifton'slizard eater, Lagartijera, Alicantre)

Tropical deciduous forest Extreme southeastern foothills. Rarelyencountered. Records from near Alamos,Choquincahui, Anna María Mine (32 kmeast of Alamos), and Arroyo Verde nearRancho Santa Bárbara. Alert,fast-moving, diurnala, and typically foundon the ground. Large eyes, blue and/orred on the head and neck, followed bydark banding and a transition to blackcoloration on the posterior ½ to a of thebody and the tail. To >1.5 mb.

Oxybelis aeneus (Brown vinesnake, Bejuquilla, Güirotillera,Hamísj catójoj)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Very slender, primarily arboreal snakefound from the Arizona border nearNogales and Presa Augostura south toSinaloa. At lower elevations in highlands.Marginal on eastern and southern bordersof Sonoran Desert.

Phyllorhynchus browni (Saddledleaf-nosed snake, Culebríta)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).


Throughout most of the lowlands andfoothills except for the Gran Desiertowest of Sierra Pinacate. Often on bajadasin gravelly or sandy soils. Status = Pr.

Phyllorhynchus decurtatus (Spottedleaf-nosed snake, Culebrita,Cocaznáacöl)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo and descrip-tions in Brennan and Holycross(2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub Western Sonora from the Gran Desiertoand Santa Ana (ca. 85 km south ofNogales) south to at least Navojoa, andeast to Ures. Typically found in sandy orgravelly soils in valleys and bajadas. Mayoccur in tropical deciduous forest nearAlamos.

Pituophis catenifer (Gophersnake,Cincuate, Víbora sorda, Burillo,Cocasnáacöl)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Occurs throughout Sonora, but likelyabsent from arid valleys in the westernGran Desierto. Uncommon or absent atthe highest elevations.

Pituophis deppei (Mexicanbullsnake, Cincuate Mexicana)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004).


Known from Hwy 16 at 1,829 m in theSierra Madre Occidental (Smith et al.2005b). Has two prefrontal scales (P.catenifer has four). Distribution of thetwo Pituophis needs further investigationin eastern Sonora.

Procinura aemula (File-tail groundsnake, Coralillo)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004).

Tropical deciduous forest Southeastern foothills and river valleysfrom Sinaloa north to west of Mazatan,often in rocky, open terrain below 750 m.Particularly active after summer rains.Dorsal pattern variable, but can verymuch resemble a small (<450 mmb)Micrurus distans, except snout is usuallypale. Distinctive, strongly keeled scaleson tail.




Pseudoficimia frontalis (Falseficimia, Culebra)


Southeastern foothills north to at leastHwy 16. Secretive and rarelyencountered. Brown or tan snake to ~0.7mb with dark mid-dorsal blotches/spotsand smooth scales. Slightly upturnedrostral scale similar to Gyalopium. Loreal scale absent.

Rhinocheilus lecontei (Long-nosedsnake; Coralillo falso, Cofti caacoj)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Widespread except in eastern mountainsabove 1,900 m. Commonly found onroadways at dusk or after dark. Smith etal. (2004) consider the subspecies antoniiof southern Sonora to be a separatespecies (but see Manier 2004).

Salvadora bairdi (Baird'spatch-nosed snake, Culebra chatade Baird)


Known only from Sierra La Madera eastof Cumpas and Sierra Milpillas west ofMilpillas, Chihuahua. Likely occurselsewhere in eastern mountains above500 m. Diurnala. Similar to otherSalvadora but dark dorsal stripesrelatively broad and mid-dorsal lightstripe narrow. Lateral dark stripesprominent on third scale rows. Eightsupralabials and posterior chin shieldsseparated by a series of small scales.Status = Pr.

Salvadora grahamiae (Mountainpatch-nosed snake, Culebra chatade montaña)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Northeastern mountains near theChihuahua and Arizona borders,particularly >1,370 m. Often in rockycanyons or slopes. Diurnala. Distributionpoorly known in Sonora.

Salvadora hexalepis (Westernpatch-nosed snake, Culebra chata,Maxáa)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout Sonora except for highereastern mountains where it is replaced byother Salvadora species. Diurnala.

Senticolis triaspis (Green rat snake,Culebra ratonera oliva, Culebraverde)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Thornscrub; tropicaldeciduous forest; highlands;Sonoran Desert (marginal)

Typically rocky canyons in foothills andmountains. Throughout eastern Sonora,but absent from highest mountains.Occurs in rich Sonoran Desert nearGuaymas.




Sonora semiannulata(Groundsnake, Culebra de arena)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; highlands Near San Luis Río Colorado in riverine,agricultural, and rural or urban areas, aswell as in the northeast near the Arizonaborder.

Storeria storerioides (Mexicanbrown snake, Culebra pardaMexicana)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


Records from Sierra Huachinera, west ofYécora, and east of Alamos. Secretivemontane species, rarely encountered.Small (<350 mmb), slender, brown snakewith dark spots or narrow banding and adark patch on top of the head that extendsbehind the parietal scales to form short(1-7 scale rows), lateral stripes on theneck.

Sympholis lippiens (Mexicanshort-tailed snake, Culebra de colacorta Mexicana, Culebra, Coralillo)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


Foothills from Sinaloa north to at leastMoradillas (southeast of Hermosillo).Most records from west of Alamos.Short-tailed, black and white or yellowbanded, burrowing species, <0.6 mb thatmay be associated with leaf cutter antmounds (Holm 2003).

Tantilla hobartsmithi (Smith'sblack-headed snake, Culebracabeza negra del suroeste)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Northeast from Arizona border south to atleast Hermosillo, but also near Sonoytaand in the Guaymas area. The latter,disjunct localities, suggest the specieslikely occurs elsewhere in SonoranDesert and thornscrub. Distributionpoorly known in Sonora.

Tantilla nigriceps (Plainsblack-headed snake, Culebracabeza negra de los llanos)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Unconfirmed for Sonora, but likelyoccurs in northeastern valleys. Recordsnear the Sonora border in Arizona andNew Mexico.

Tantilla wilcoxi (Chihuahuanblack-headed snake, Culebracabeza negra de Chihuahua)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004). Photos and descriptionsin Brennan and Holycross (2006).


Sierra San Luis and Hwy 16 betweenTonichi and San Nicolas. Likely occurselsewhere in the eastern mountains above900 m. Can be found under rocks, logs,or dead agaves in rocky, woodedcanyons.

Tantilla yaquia (Yaquiblack-headed snake, Culebracabeza negra Yaqui)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photosand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Eastern Sonora from near Sasabe southand east to Sinaloa and Chihuahua.Absent from higher mountains. Can befound under rocks, logs, and other surfacedebris.




Thamnophis cyrtopsis(Black-necked gartersnake, Culebralineada de bosque, Culebra deagua)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Widespread in Sonora except north andwest of Caborca and coastal plain northof Guaymas area. Often found in or nearcanyon streams, but may stray intouplands. Primarily diurnala. Status = A.

Thamnophis eques (Mexicangartersnake, Culebra de aguanómado Mexicano, Culebra deagua)Photo in Appendix A. Photo,descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


A highly aquatic species of ciénegas,streams, and cattle tanks from Altar,Rancho Los Fresnos, and San Bernardinosouth through the foothills and mountainsto Río Fuerte drainage. Common east ofYécora. Likely occurred historically onRío Colorado. Diurnala. Status = A.

Thamnophis marcianus (Checkeredgartersnake, Sochuate)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Río Yaqui and other drainages east andnorth of Hermosillo. Also Río Colorado.Found in a variety of wetland types aswell as croplands. Status = A.

Thamnophis melanogaster(Mexican blackbelly water snake,Culebra de agua de panza negraMexicana)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).

Highlands In Sonora, only known from Yécora areaand Mesa Tres Ríos. Highly aquaticspecies of montane streams, marshes, andciénegas. Adults can be similar to T.valida, but anal scale not divided. Status= A.

Thamnophis rufipunctatus(Narrow-headed gartersnake,Culebra de agua de cabeza-angosta,Pichecuate)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Highly aquatic snake of montane rockystreams. Records from near Yécora andBaviácora, but likely occurs elsewhere inthe northeastern mountains (see Rossmanet al. 1996). Diurnala.

Thamnophis valida (West Coastgartersnake, Culebra de agua) Photos, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004).


From the dam at Presa Alvaro Obregónand Alamos south to Sinaloa. Aquaticsnake of permanent streams, rivers, androcky pools. Most active at night. Lackslight dorsal stripes, anal scale divided.




Trimorphodon biscutatus (Westernlyresnake, Víbora sorda)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Throughout most of Sonora in rockyhillsides and canyons. Absent fromhigher mountains in the east.

Trimorphodon tau (Mexicanlyresnake, Culebra)Keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004).


Rocky canyons and foothills south ofNuri. Hybridizes with T. biscutatus. Aspecimen from 32 km east of Caborca(Ottley 1982) is questionable.Distinguished from T. biscutatus by alight transverse band across nape of neck.

Tropidodipsas repleta (Snail-eatingsnake, Caracolera occidental)


Known only from km 236 on Hwy 16 inthe Sierra Madre Occidental at 1,643 m(see Smith et al. 2005c). A specimen ofTropidodipsas "philippi" from km 258,Hwy 16 (UNAM 12057) may be thisspecies. Expected elsewhere insoutheastern mountains. Similar to T.annulifera from Sinaloa but has 15-29complete, narrow (1 scale row dorsally, 2scale rows ventrally) white bands on ablack background and lacks a white bandon the neck. Probably grows to ~0.5 mb.

ELAPIDAE

Micruroides euryxanthus (Sonorancoralsnake, Coralillo occidental,Coralillo, Coftj)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Widespread in lowland Sonora, exceptfor western Gran Desierto, coastal plainnorth of Punta Tepoca, and the highermountains of eastern Sonora. Occasionalin pine-oak woodland near Yécora. Mostare < 0.5 mb. Third band from snout isred (it is black in Micrurus distans).Highly venomous. Status = A.

Micrurus distans (West Mexicancoralsnake, Coralillo)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


From Sinaloa north to at least thefoothills of the Río Yaqui area nearTónichi and the mountains at Maycoba.In grassland-oak woodland at Maycobaand Santa Bárbara. To more than 1 mb. Active at cooler temperatures than manysnakes. Often active after summer rains.Highly venomous. Status = Pr.

Pelamis platurus (Yellow-belliedsea snake, Alicante del mar, Xepeano cocázni)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002).


Ranges throughout the Gulf of California,but does not breed in our area. Highlyvenomous, although it rarely bites.




VIPERIDAE

Agkistrodon bilineatus (Cantil, Pichecuate, Pichicuata)Photo in Appendix A.


Foothills from Sinaloa north to near Nuri(R. Babb, pers. comm. 2007), often nearstreams. Uncommonly encountered andhighly venomous. Status = Pr.

Crotalus atrox (Western diamond-backed rattlesnake, Víbora serrana,Cocázni)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photo and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Widespread in Sonora except arid valleysof the western Gran Desierto and highereastern mountains. Highly venomous.Status = Pr.

Crotalus basiliscus (Mexican westcoast rattlesnake, Sayahuqui, Colaprieta)Photo and keys in Lemos-Espinal etal. (2004).


Mostly below 600 m from Sinaloa northto near Vícam on the coast and inland tojust south of Hwy 16. Apparentlyhybridizes with C. molossus at 600-1,500m (Campbell and Lamar 2004). Verysimilar to C. molossus, but tail gray withdim, light rings (tail black in C.molossus), and dorsal blotches less likelyto form crossbars on the body. Highlyvenomous. Status = Pr.

Crotalus cerastes (Sidewinder,Cuernitos, Ctaamjij)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Small (<0.8 mb) horned rattlesnake ofsandy flats and bajadas fromsouthwestern Arizona south to at leastEstero Tastiota. Highly venomous. Status= Pr.

Crotalus lepidus (Rock rattlesnake,Chachamuri verde, Chichámora)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands Small (mostly <0.8 mb) rattlesnake ofrocky montane canyons and talus slopesfrom southeastern Arizona south to atleast Yécora. Highly venomous. Status = Pr.

Crotalus mitchelli (Speckled rattle-snake, Víbora blanca)Photo, descriptions, and keys inGrismer (2002). Photos anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert Rocky mountains and bajadas at SierraPinacate and adjacent ranges in the GranDesierto. Highly venomous.

Crotalus molossus (Black-tailedrattlesnake, Sayahuqui, Cola prieta,Cocázni)Photos, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996) andGrismer (2002). Photos and keys inLemos-Espinal et al. (2004). Photoand descriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Sonoran Desert; thornscrub;tropical deciduous forest(marginal); highlands

Throughout Sonora except for westernGran Desierto and coastal plain south ofGuaymas. Often a montane snake.Highly venomous. Status = Pr.




Crotalus pricei (Twin-spottedrattlesnake, Chachámuri,Chichámora)Photos and keys in Lemos-Espinalet al. (2004). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).


Small (<0.7 mb) rattlesnake of rockyoutcrops and talus slopes above 1,900 m.Known from the Sierras el Tigre and delos Ajos. May occur in other highnortheastern mountains. Highlyvenomous. Status = Pr.

Crotalus scutulatus (Mohaverattlesnake, Víbora de cascabel,Cocázni)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Valleys and bajadas of northern Sonorafrom the Sierra del Rosario (GranDesierto) east to at least the Naco areaand probably to the Sierra San Luis, andsouth to Benjamin Hill and near PuertoLobos. Absent above about 1,700 m. Highly venomous. Status = Pr.

Crotalus tigris (Tiger rattlesnake,Cascabel del tigre, Cocáznicahtxíma)Photo and descriptions in Brennanand Holycross (2006).


Small (<0.9 mb) rattlesnake throughoutmuch of Sonora in mountains and rockybajadas below about 1,470 m. Absentfrom western Gran Desierto and highereastern mountains and valleys. Highlyvenomous. Status = Pr.

Crotalus viridis (Prairie rattlesnake,Cascabel occidental)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo andkeys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photo and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).

Highlands (grasslands) Occurs in grasslands and perhaps thelower slopes of the Sierra San Luis inextreme Northeast (Enderson pers.comm. 2007). Highly venomous.Status =Pr.

Crotalus willardi (Ridge-nosedrattlesnake, Chachámuri roja,Chichámora)Photo in Appendix A. Photo,descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photosand keys in Lemos-Espinal et al.(2004). Photos and descriptions inBrennan and Holycross (2006).


Small (<0.7 mb) rattlesnake of woodedmontane canyons and slopes above about1,500 m from the Sierra San Luiscomplex west to the Sierra de Pinitos(Villa et al. 2007) and south to the SierrasAconchi and Huachinera, and nearYécora. Highly venomous. Status = Pr.




Sistrurus catenatus (Massasauga,Cascabel de massasauga, Víbora decascabel)Photo, descriptions, and keys inDegenhardt et al. (1996). Photo anddescriptions in Brennan andHolycross (2006).

Highlands Unconfirmed for Sonora. Small (<0.6 mb)rattlesnake that likely occurs or occurredin grasslands near Agua Prieta and theRío San Pedro Valley. USNM 506,collected in 1851 from "Sonora"(unspecified locality), is the onlymassasauga collected or reported fromSonora. Some confusion surrounds thislocality. The expedition during which thespecimen was collected zig-zagged acrossthe current U.S./Mexico border in 1851,so the specimen could have beencollected in either Arizona or Sonora(Stejneger 1940, Bogert and Oliver1945). Populations of this species havedeclined in Arizona. Highly venomous. Status = Pr.

aMost lizards are diurnal, whereas most snakes are nocturnal or are active in favorable weather day or night.Lizards that are primarily nocturnal and snakes that are primarily diurnal are noted in the third column. BTotal length (body + tail)cAjolote typically refers to Ambystoma salamanders; however, in the mountains of southeastern Sonora, this termis also used to describe blue-tailed skinks.

NOTE ADDED IN PRESSTwo additional introduced species have recently

been documented in mainland Sonora, including theBrahminy blindsnake (Ramphotyphlops braminus)from the Parque Madero in Hermosillo (Quijada-Mascareñas, A., and E. F. Enderson. 2007.Ramphotyphlops braminus (Brahminy blindsnake),México, Sonora. Herpetological Review 38(4):490)and the Common house gecko (Hemidactylusfrenatus) from Guaymas (Valdez-Villavicencio, J.,and A. Peralta-Garcia. In review. Nuevos registrosde Hemidactylus frenatus (Squamata: Gekkonidae)en el noroeste de México. Acta ZoologicaMexicana). These findings came too late in thereview process to be reflected in this paper, as didinformation in Lemos-Espinal, J. A., and H. M.Smith. 2007. Anfibios y Reptiles del Estado deChihuahua, México/Amphibians and Reptiles of theState of Chihuahua, México. Universidad NacionalAutonoma de México y CONABIO, México D.F.and recent taxonomic revisions as described inCROTHER, B. I., ed. 2008. Scientific and StandardEnglish Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of NorthAmerica North of Mexico. SSAR HerpetologicalCircular 37 and LINER, E. A. 2007. A Checklist ofAmphibians and Reptiles of México. OccasionalPapers of the Museum of Natural Science No. 80.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis paper would not have been possible without

access to museum collections, generous contributions ofunpublished data, and the hospitality of the people ofSonora. Persons contributing information and reviews, aswell as museums accessed, are listed in “The Checklist”above. I would not have attempted this work without theencouragement of Eduardo López Saavedra.

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Appendix A. Photographs of representative Sonoran amphibians and reptiles. All photos by the author, exceptGeophis dugesii, taken by Ian Recchio.

Sonoran Desert toad (Bufo alvarius) in thornscrub Mexican leaf frog (Pachymedusa dacnicolor), Río Cuchajaqui

Sabinal frog (Leptodactylus melanonotus), Sierra de Alamos Tarahumara frog (Rana tarahumarae) from the Sierra de laMadera



Cascade frog (Rana pustulosa), Arroyo el Cobre nearChoquincahui

Juvenile Painted wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima),Minas Nuevas

Yaqui slider (Trachemys yaquia), Río Mayo Alamos mud turtle (Kinosternon alamosae), El Caracol westof Alamos. This species and K. arizonense lack distinctivehead stripes or reticulations.



Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense), Rancho LosFresnos. This is the most widely distributed of Sonora's fourmud turtles.

Yellowbelly gecko (Phyllodactylus tuberculosus), RanchoAcosta, Alamos

Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), Rancho el Aribabi,northeast of Imuris

Juvenile spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura macrolopha)(green), Río Cuchajaqui. Adults are gray to gray-brown andcan be 0.5 m total length.



Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) at its northwestern-mostlocality in Sonora - El Capitan ~45 km east-southeast of SanLuis Río Colorado

Flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), Gran Desiertonear Bahía Adair

Chihuahuan mezquite lizard (Sceloporus lemosespinali),Sierra San Luis

Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) in tropical deciduous forestnear Alamos.



Yuman Desert fringe-toed lizard (Uma rufopunctata), GranDesierto

One of four specimens of Dugés's earth snake (Geophisdugesii) known from Sonora. Photo by Ian Recchio.

Central American tree snake (Imantodes gemmistratus) fromwest of Alamos.

Sinaloan milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) near Alamos



Pacific Coast parrot snake (Leptophis diplotropis), west ofAlamos

Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques), Rancho LosFresnos NW of Cananea. This species has declined innorthern Sonora.

Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus) from west of Alamos Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi), Sierra San Luis

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