REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS OF THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE BOSQUE
The Middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem is a narrow corridor of riparian habitat dominated by large stands of cottonwood trees (Populusdeltoideswislizeni). This gallery forest is commonly referred to as the Bosque—meaning “Woods” in Spanish. The Bosque is a great place to observe a variety of wildlife, including about thirty-five (35) species and subspecies of reptiles and amphibians.
The dominant cottonwoods provide sparse to dense canopy along the river, which generally produces a significantly more mesic environment than found in adjacent upland scrub or grassland. Cottonwood forests also create a thick leaf litter, which provides cover for many ground-dwelling species. The understory in the Bosque is composed of a number of common native plants, including: Red Willow (Salixexigua), Seepwillow (Baccharissalicifolia) and Rough Cockleburr (Xanthium strumarium). These shrubs enhance the value of the native habitat. Unfortunately, introduced species such as Salt Cedar (Tamarixchinensis), Russian olive (Elaeagnusangustifolia) and Siberian Elm (Ulmuspumila) are (literally) a growing problem. Alteration of the Bosque habitat by these invasive species degrades its value for almost all other native species of mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian.
SNAKES – SQUAMATA
Family Colubridae – Non-venomous
New Mexico Gartersnake – Thamnophis sirtalisdorsalis
Western Black-necked Gartersnake – Thamnophis cyropsis cyrtopsis
Wandering Garter Snake – Thamnophis elegans vagrans
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer – Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Painted Desert Glossy Snake – Arizona elegansphilipi
Regal Ring-necked Snake –Diadophis punctatus regalis
Plains Hog-nosed Snake – Heterodon nasicus nasicus
Texas Nightsnake – Hypsilena torquata janii
Western Coachwhip – Masticophis flagellum testaceus
Sonoran Gophersnake – Pituophis catenifer affinis
Texas Long-nosed Snake – Rhinocheiluslecontei tessellates
Plains Black-headed Snake – Tantilla nigiceps
Family Viperidae – Venomous
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake – Crotalus atrox
Prairie Rattlesnake – Crotalus viridis viridis
LIZARDS – SAURIA
Family Phrynosomatidae
Hernandez’s Short-horned Lizard – Phrynosoma hernandesi hernandesi
Round-tailed Horned Lizard – Phrynosoma modestum
Eastern Fence Lizard – Sceloporus undulate
Plateau Lizard – Sceloporus tristichus
Sagebrush Lizard – Sceloporus graciousius
Speckled Earless Lizard – Holbrookia maculate approximans
Eastern Side-blotched Lizard – Uta stansburiana stejnegeri
Family Scincidae – Skinks
Great Plains Skink – Eumeces obsoletus
Family Teiidai – Whiptails
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail – Aspidoscelis exsanguis
Plains Striped Whiptail – Aspidoscelis inornata llanuras
Plateau Striped Whiptail – Aspidoscelis velox
New Mexico Whiptail – Aspidoscelis neomexicanus
TURTLES – TESTUDINES
Family Emydidae
Western Painted Turtle – Chrysemys picta belli
Red-eared Slider – Trachemys scripta elegans
Texas Spiny Softshell – Apalone spiniferae moryi
Eastern Snapping Turtle – Chelydra serpentine serpentine
Ornate Box Turtle – Terrapene ornate
SALAMANDERS – CAUDATA
Barred Tiger Salamander – Ambystomatigrinummavortium
FROGS & TOADS – ANURA
Family Hylidae – Tree Frogs
Canyon Chorus Frog – Hyla arenicolor
Family Ranidae – True Frogs
Northern Leopard Frog – Rana pipiens
Bullfrog – Rana catesbeiana
Family Pelobatidae – Spadefoots
Plains Spadefoot – Spea bombifrons
Couch’s Spadefoot – Spea couchii
New Mexico Spadefoot – Spea multiplicata stagnalis
Family Bufonidae – Toads
Great Plains Toad – Bufo cognatus
Woodhouse Toad – Bufo woodhousii
This list was originally created by Scott Bulgrin and other members of the New Mexico Herpetological Society. It is meant to serve as a guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque.
Reproduced for educational purposes.
