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| Conservation |
This page will show some of the reptiles & amphibians in Alabama
that are endangered, protected and threatened.
that are endangered, protected and threatened.
The Gopher Tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus) is a large land turtle that burrows dens underground.
These land turtles dig burrows up to nine feet deep and 20 to 30 feet long with a large chamber at the
bottom. These provide important escape cover, and refuge for many species of other animals in the sand
hills-longleaf pine community. Gopher tortoises are herbivores that feed primarily on wiregrass, broadleaf
grasses, legumes and nonlegume forbs. They are considered opportunistic feeders and will usually eat what
is available to them. Hatchlings are preyed upon by a wide variety of reptilian, avian and mammalian
predators. Tortoises grow slowly and are long-lived. Greatly reduced from historic abundance; locally
common in only a few protected areas. Loss of habitat and historic over hunting have caused a large
statewide decline of tortoise populations.
These land turtles dig burrows up to nine feet deep and 20 to 30 feet long with a large chamber at the
bottom. These provide important escape cover, and refuge for many species of other animals in the sand
hills-longleaf pine community. Gopher tortoises are herbivores that feed primarily on wiregrass, broadleaf
grasses, legumes and nonlegume forbs. They are considered opportunistic feeders and will usually eat what
is available to them. Hatchlings are preyed upon by a wide variety of reptilian, avian and mammalian
predators. Tortoises grow slowly and are long-lived. Greatly reduced from historic abundance; locally
common in only a few protected areas. Loss of habitat and historic over hunting have caused a large
statewide decline of tortoise populations.
Status: Protected
Gopher Tortoise
Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
Status:Endangered
The Alabama Red-bellied Turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) is the state reptile of Alabama, around one foot in
length. The females are slightly larger with a carapace (upper shell) length reaching 15 inches. Carapace
color may be greenish to dark brown or black with yellowish, orangish, or reddish vertical markings along
the sides. The plastron (under shell) may be pale yellow to red with or without dark markings. Their range
is restricted to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It has the smallest
distribution of any North American turtle species. Habitat loss and fatalities from crossing roads is the
two biggest reasons for this turtles decline. Some steps have been made by the state to help save this
turtle. Click on the link to the left for more information on what is being done.
length. The females are slightly larger with a carapace (upper shell) length reaching 15 inches. Carapace
color may be greenish to dark brown or black with yellowish, orangish, or reddish vertical markings along
the sides. The plastron (under shell) may be pale yellow to red with or without dark markings. Their range
is restricted to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It has the smallest
distribution of any North American turtle species. Habitat loss and fatalities from crossing roads is the
two biggest reasons for this turtles decline. Some steps have been made by the state to help save this
turtle. Click on the link to the left for more information on what is being done.
Link to Gopher
Tortoise Council
Tortoise Council
Link to Save
the Redbelly
the Redbelly
Southern Hog-nosed Snake
Status: Endangered
The Southern hognose snakes (Heterodon simus) is a fairly small, heavy-bodied snakes that reach about 24 in
(61 cm) in length. Southern hognose snakes often put on threat displays (including neck spreading, hissing,
and playing dead ) when confronted by a predator. Female southern hognose snakes are larger than males.
Hognose snakes feed almost exclusively on toads, although they will occasionally consume other prey. They
seem to be immune to poisons produced by toads, and are equipped with enlarged teeth (called rear fangs) in
the back of their mouths that are used to puncture inflated toads so that they may be more easily swallowed.
Southern hognose snakes have apparently declined in recent years and are of conservation concern throughout
their range. Habitat loss is the main reason for their decline.
(61 cm) in length. Southern hognose snakes often put on threat displays (including neck spreading, hissing,
and playing dead ) when confronted by a predator. Female southern hognose snakes are larger than males.
Hognose snakes feed almost exclusively on toads, although they will occasionally consume other prey. They
seem to be immune to poisons produced by toads, and are equipped with enlarged teeth (called rear fangs) in
the back of their mouths that are used to puncture inflated toads so that they may be more easily swallowed.
Southern hognose snakes have apparently declined in recent years and are of conservation concern throughout
their range. Habitat loss is the main reason for their decline.
Eastern Indigo Snake
Status: Threatened
Gopher Tortoise
range
range
The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a large nonvenomous, stout bodied snake averaging six to
seven feet in length. The largest individual recorded was eight-and-a-half-feet. It is the largest snake
in the United States. The Indigo Snake is smooth scaled and uniform glossy blue-black throughout its body
except for some reddish orange or cream color suffusion on its throat, cheeks and chin. This coloration
varies with some individuals having distinct coloration and others with no coloration.
Indigos are found in the lower coastal plain along with the burrowing gopher tortoise. They use the burrows
not only for refuge, but also for breeding and reproduction. The indigo snake is thought to be the main
predator of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and data has shown the rattlesnake to be a preferred food
item. The greatest threats to the snake are loss of habitat, the practice of putting gas down a burrow by
rattlesnake hunters, and the pet trade.
seven feet in length. The largest individual recorded was eight-and-a-half-feet. It is the largest snake
in the United States. The Indigo Snake is smooth scaled and uniform glossy blue-black throughout its body
except for some reddish orange or cream color suffusion on its throat, cheeks and chin. This coloration
varies with some individuals having distinct coloration and others with no coloration.
Indigos are found in the lower coastal plain along with the burrowing gopher tortoise. They use the burrows
not only for refuge, but also for breeding and reproduction. The indigo snake is thought to be the main
predator of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and data has shown the rattlesnake to be a preferred food
item. The greatest threats to the snake are loss of habitat, the practice of putting gas down a burrow by
rattlesnake hunters, and the pet trade.
Status: HIGH CONSERVATION CONCERN
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is the largest species of rattlesnake
in the world. It is a heavy-bodied snake that can reach lengths close to seven feet, although the
average adult is four to five feet. When encountered, the diamondback will often remain motionless
until a threat is perceived or the snake is actually touched. A defensive posture is a coiled
position with rattle erect, buzzing, and head near center of the coil. The act of striking can extend
up to two-thirds the length of the snake. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake feeds primarily on
small mammals such as rabbits, mice, and rats. Other food items include squirrels and ground-
dwelling birds. The diamondback will often use gopher tortoise burrows for refuge, especially
during cold weather. Overwintering in stump holes and gopher tortoise burrows, where it is
vulnerable to “gassing” by snake hunters. Infrequently encountered where formerly common, and
now absent from many areas of historic occurrence.
in the world. It is a heavy-bodied snake that can reach lengths close to seven feet, although the
average adult is four to five feet. When encountered, the diamondback will often remain motionless
until a threat is perceived or the snake is actually touched. A defensive posture is a coiled
position with rattle erect, buzzing, and head near center of the coil. The act of striking can extend
up to two-thirds the length of the snake. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake feeds primarily on
small mammals such as rabbits, mice, and rats. Other food items include squirrels and ground-
dwelling birds. The diamondback will often use gopher tortoise burrows for refuge, especially
during cold weather. Overwintering in stump holes and gopher tortoise burrows, where it is
vulnerable to “gassing” by snake hunters. Infrequently encountered where formerly common, and
now absent from many areas of historic occurrence.
Gopher Frog
Status: Endangered
The Gopher Frog (Rana sevosa) is a stout-bodied, large-headed frog that grows up to four inches head-body
length, with a thick ridge of skin extending down the back behind each eye. Toes taper to rounded points,
snout is somewhat pointed, and back is rough-textured and warty. The gopher frog is currently known to
breed at only five isolated wetlands in southern Alabama. Due to a rapid decline in amount and quality of
breeding and nonbreeding habitat, the new threat of disease, and their close association with the
threatened gopher tortoise, this species of frog faces and uncertain fate.
length, with a thick ridge of skin extending down the back behind each eye. Toes taper to rounded points,
snout is somewhat pointed, and back is rough-textured and warty. The gopher frog is currently known to
breed at only five isolated wetlands in southern Alabama. Due to a rapid decline in amount and quality of
breeding and nonbreeding habitat, the new threat of disease, and their close association with the
threatened gopher tortoise, this species of frog faces and uncertain fate.
Red Hills Salamander
Status: Threatened
The Red Hills Salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti) is the State Amphibian of Alabama. It is a large (max.
total length approx approx. 10 in.) terrestrial salamander with a prehensile tail almost as long (47 percent
of total length) as body. Body and tail uniformly dark brown to dark gray. Front (four toes) and hind legs
(five toes) relatively short and stout. Only terrestrial vertebrate confined to Alabama. Amount of suitable
habitat remaining for the species within its small geographic distribution was last estimated to be 54,900
acres. Habitat loss is the main reason for its decline.
total length approx approx. 10 in.) terrestrial salamander with a prehensile tail almost as long (47 percent
of total length) as body. Body and tail uniformly dark brown to dark gray. Front (four toes) and hind legs
(five toes) relatively short and stout. Only terrestrial vertebrate confined to Alabama. Amount of suitable
habitat remaining for the species within its small geographic distribution was last estimated to be 54,900
acres. Habitat loss is the main reason for its decline.
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Status: Protected
The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater turtle in the world.
Average weight is between 150-175lbs, the world record weight being 236lbs. The alligator snapping turtle
is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting. Some are hunted for their shells. There are
accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught both purposefully and accidentally on recreational fishing
lines called "trot lines." Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made
from snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a
protected species in Alabama.
Average weight is between 150-175lbs, the world record weight being 236lbs. The alligator snapping turtle
is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting. Some are hunted for their shells. There are
accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught both purposefully and accidentally on recreational fishing
lines called "trot lines." Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made
from snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a
protected species in Alabama.
Much of the information on this
page is taken from
www.outdooralabama.com and is an
incredible resource for all of
Alabama's wildlife.
page is taken from
www.outdooralabama.com and is an
incredible resource for all of
Alabama's wildlife.
Alabama Reptile Rescue Sanctuary is a
nonprofit and tax-exempt organization
under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).
Donations are tax deductible.
nonprofit and tax-exempt organization
under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).
Donations are tax deductible.