Martha's Vineyard Atlas of LifeSpecies ListsReptilesChecklist of Reptiles

Checklist of Reptiles

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Reptiles

Scientific NameCommon NameNotes
Superclass Gnathostomata, Class Reptilia – Snakes, Turtles, etc.
Order Testudinata - Turtles
Chelydra serpentinaSnapping Turtledeclining but reasonably common across the island; on Nomans Land.
Chrysemys picta Painted Turtlecommon in freshwater ponds across the island and on Noman’s Land.
Pseudemys rubriventrisRed-bellied Turtleformer resident; remains have been found in Indian kitchen middens; see Waters (1962, 1966).
Clemmys guttataSpotted Turtlevery rare and local on the main island and Chappaquiddick; moderately common on Nomans Land.
Terrapene carolina carolinaEastern Box Turtlenow very rare and local; species of Special Concern in MA.
Trachemys scripta elegansRed-eared SliderUncommon established in a few ponds. No longer sold in pet stores as of 2014 per Massachusetts law.
Chelonia mydasAtlantic Green Turtleoffshore waters; 2 records; a Threatened species in MA
Eretmochelys imbricataAtlantic Hawksbill Turtleoffshore waters; an Endangered species in MA and by Federal designation
Caretta carettaAtlantic Loggerhead Turtleoffshore waters; uncommon; a Threatened species in MA and by Federal designation
Lepidochelys kempiKemp’s Ridley Turtleoffshore waters; an Endangered species in MA and by Federal designation
Dermochelys coriaceaAtlantic Leatherback Turtleoffshore waters; an Endangered species in MA and by Federal designation.
Order Squamata - Snakes
Coluber constrictor North American Racer; Black Raceruncommon from Chappy to Aquinnah along the south shore. No recent records from Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven
Opheodrys vernalis Smooth Greensnakeuncommon but widespread
Lampropeltis triangulum Eastern Milk Snakesomewhat common and widespread
Diadophis punctatus Ring-neck Snakerare and very local
Thamnophis sauritus Eastern Ribbon Snakeuncommon and local except formerly on parts of Chappaquiddick where once common
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Common Gartersnake; Eastern Garter Snakecommon and widely distributed; the only snake known on Nomans Land
Storeria dekayi Northern Brownsnake, Dekay's Brownsnakerare, small population found in Aquinnah 2020.
Storeria occipitomaculata ssp. occipitomaculata Red-bellied Snake; Northern Redbelly Snakevery local and uncommon