Shenandoah National Park National Park Service

 U.S. Department of the Interior

Full Species List of Reptiles

Twenty-six species of reptiles are found in Shenandoah National 

Park, including 19 snakes, four turtles, one lizard, and two skinks. 

Most of these animals are terrestrial, but a few species, such as 

the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), the snapping turtle 

(Chelydra serpentina), and the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), 

can be found in aquatic ecosystems. Snakes and lizards can be 

observed in a wide variety of habitats, but are most likely to be 

seen in sunny locations such as meadows, forest openings, and 

trail and road margins. Two venomous snakes are found in 

Shenandoah: the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) and the 

copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). Although these snakes are 

generally not aggressive, visitors should give them a wide berth 

and leave them unmolested. Of the park’s turtle species, the 

eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is most likely to be seen by 

park visitors, and can be found in both forest and meadow 

habitats. 

The fear of snakes that many people have results in large numbers 

of them being killed each year. Others, including turtles, perish 

from motor vehicle activity along Skyline Drive. Illegal collecting 

(poaching) of certain species, such as timber rattlesnakes or box 

turtles, accounts for additional losses. 

This checklist was compiled on March 10, 2015 using data 

exported from the National Park Service NPSpecies database. The 

database can be accessed at https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/.

Here you will find search tools that make it possible to create 

updated or customized lists. This checklist and others are found 

at https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/Search/SpeciesList/SHEN. Lists 

are currently available for the following: mammals, birds, fish, 

reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, plants (complete list), trees and 

shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, and grasses. Please be advised that 

Latin scientific names often change as a result of new research; 

therefore, scientific names used here may not reflect the most 

current accepted nomenclature.

Terrapene carolina

Cortalus horridus

Nerodia sipedon
 Scientific Name Common Names Occ Abd Nat NPS 

Tags

Park Tags GRank SRank

Reptiles

Agkistrodon contortrix Copperhead P C N MP; B CU, MF, RO G5 VA: S5

Carphophis amoenus Eastern Wormsnake P Uc N B MF G5 VA: S5

Chelydra serpentina Snapping Turtle P Uc N R ME, WL G5 VA: S5

Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle P Uc N R WL G5 VA: S5

Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle P R N R ME, MF, WL G5 VA: S4

Coluber constrictor Black Racer P Uc N B PW G5 VA: S5

Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake P C N EC, MP; 

B

PW G4 VA: S4

Diadophis punctatus Ringneck Snake P C N B MF G5 VA: S5

Elaphe alleghaniensis Eastern Ratsnake P C N MP; B CU, ME, MF

Elaphe guttata Cornsnake P Uc N B CU, ME

Eumeces fasciatus Five-lined Skink P R N B MF

Eumeces laticeps Broad-headed Skink P Uc N CU, MF, XF

Heterodon platirhinos Eastern Hog-nosed 

Snake

P Uc N R ME, XF G5 VA: S5

Lampropeltis calligaster

rhombomaculata

Mole Kingsnake P U N B CU, ME G5T5

Lampropeltis getula Common Kingsnake P U N B PW G5 VA: S5

Lampropeltis triangulum Milksnake P Uc N B CU, ME, MF, RO G5 VA: S5

Nerodia sipedon Northern Water Snake P C N B AQ, WL G5 VA: S5

Opheodrys aestivus Rough Greensnake P Uc N MP; B MF G5 VA: S5

Opheodrys vernalis Smooth Greensnake P R N MP; B ME, RO G5 VA: S3

Regina septemvittata Queen Snake PP N AQ, WL G5 VA: S5

Sceloporus undulatus Eastern Fence Lizard P C N B CU, MF, RO, XF G5 VA: S5

Storeria occipitomaculata Red-Bellied Snake P C N B CU, MF, WL, XF G5 VA: S5

Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle P C N B ME, MF, XF G5 VA: S4

Thamnophis sauritus Common Ribbonsnake P Uc N B WL G5 VA: S5

Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake P C N B PW G5 VA: S5

Virginia valeriae Smooth Earth Snake PP N CU, ME, MF G5 VA: S5

Bookmark this report: https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/Reports/Park/Species List/SHEN?

UnitCode=SHEN&CategoryCode=4&SortOrder=Sci&ShowSyonyms=False&ShowInReview=False

This report is filtered by the following Taxonomic Categories: Reptiles

Species List Page 1 of 4 6/23/2015 2:20:05 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest. 
Report Species Count: 26

Key

Code Term Definition

Occurrence (Occ) P Present Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

PP Probably Present High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Un Unconfirmed Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

NP Not In Park Species is not known to occur in park.

Occurrence Tags A Adjacent Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

FR False Report Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates 

the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer 

accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

H Historical Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on 

judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent 

evidence.

Abundance (Abd) A Abundant Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in 

relatively large numbers. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: Large number 

of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large 

portion of the park

C Common Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large 

numbers. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: Large numbers of individuals 

predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering 

a large portion of the park

Uc Uncommon Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be 

locally common. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: Few to moderate 

numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered 

habitats or in uncommon habitats

R Rare Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year. Plants, Chromista, 

Protozoa, and Fungi: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare 

habitat

O Occasional Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, 

but not necessarily every year. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: 

Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants)

U Unknown Abundance unknown

Nativeness (Nat) N Native Species naturally occurring in park or region.

Nn Non-native Species occurring on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human 

activities.

U Unknown Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

Nativeness Tags R Restoration Also refers to reintroductions. Native species that has been extirpated or 

substantially diminished from the park as a result of human-induced change, and 

that has been or is in the process of being restored.

NPSpecies - The National Park Service biodiversity database. IRMA Portal version. https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/. Accessed 6/23/2015 

2:20:05 PM

Species List Page 2 of 4 6/23/2015 2:20:05 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest. 
Nativeness Tags C Cultivated Species has been introduced or is maintained as part of the park's mission, 

significance, or cultural landscape (e.g., orchards, crops, fields)

I Invasive Non-native species whose introduction is likely to cause economic or 

environmental harm.

N Noxious Designation by a governmental authority. Species grows aggressively and has 

broad environmental tolerance that allows it to establish in many locations.

Management Tags EC Exploitation 

Concern

Species is considered a target for collection, poaching, commercial harvesting, or 

other non-permitted or exploitative activities.

MP Management 

Priority

Species warrants particular management attention as determined by park 

management staff.

Seasonality Tags B Breeder Population reproduces in the park.

R Resident A significant population is maintained in the park but does not breed within park 

boundaries.

M Migratory Species occurs in the park only while in transition between breeding and 

wintering grounds.

S Summer Typically spending only summer months in the park.

W Winter Typically spending only winter months in the park.

V Vagrant Park is outside of species' usual range.

ParkTags Code Term Definition

Vegetation Life Form Form

Tr Tree Tree

Sh Shrub Shrub

Vi Vine Vine

He Herb Herb

Gr Graminoid Graminoid (grass)

Fe Fern Fern

Ly Lycopod Lycopod

Habitat Hab

AQ Aquatic Within rivers, streams and ponds

CU Cultural Planted by humans, either by pre-park residents or park employees/contractors

FE Forest Edge Forest borders and field margins

ME Meadow Meadows, fields, lawns, forest clearings, and ruderal habitats

MF Mesic forest Mesic and dry-mesic forests; represents a majority of park’s forested area

RO Rock outcrop Exposed and shaded outcrops, boulder fields, talus slopes, and rocky barrens

SS Shrub/Scrub Second growth forest and habitats dominated by shrubs

WL Wetland Riparian areas, seeps, springs, fens, swamps, and wetland hummocks

XF Xeric forest Dry forests, including heath woodlands and shrublands

PW Park wide Park wide

Species List Page 3 of 4 6/23/2015 2:20:05 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest. 
Seasons when the species 

is most easily 

encountered. 

Seas

Sp Spring Spring (Mar, Apr, May)

Su Summer Summer (Jun, Jul, Aug)

Fa Fall Fall (Sept, Oct)

Wi Winter Winter (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb)

All All Year All Year Round

GRank and SRank information is provided by NatureServe (www.natureserve.org) and its network of natural heritage member programs, a 

leading source of information about rare and endangered species, and threatened ecosystems.

Species List Page 4 of 4 6/23/2015 2:20:05 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest.