Reptiles

Western rattlesnake

Photo by D. Riggs

Lava Beds National Monument is home to 12 species of reptiles. Eight of these are snakes, including the Western rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes may be seen on the surface or under a rock outcrop. They may be found near a cave entrance but seldom go inside. If you are lucky enough to see one, please do not disturb it. If it is on a trail, in a campsite or any other location where the public is present, please contact a ranger so it can be removed to a safer location.

Rattlesnakes are poisonous, but no one has reported being bitten by one at Lava Beds since the area became a monument in 1925. In order to avoid rattlesnakes, use caution when you are hiking, always looking first before you place your hands and feet.

 

Rubber boa

Photo by R. Paylor

Reptiles have been around for 300 million years. They are air-breathing animals, but can live both in land and survive in water. The majority of reptiles lay eggs to give birth. The most noticible feature of reptiles are scales. Reptiles are often called cold-blooded because they cannot regulate their own body temperature. Their temperature depends upon the outside temperature. You will see them laying in the sun to warm themselves or laying on warm rocks or even pavement. You can also see some reptiles in water to cool themselves.

Snakes can be found in nearly every habitat throughout Lava Beds. The Rocky Mountain Boa is one snake seen in the park. Unlike most sun-loving reptiles, it prefers cool locations and is often seen at the entrances of caves.

 

A western fence lizard consumes a grasshopper

Photo by N. Charlton

There are also four lizards species within the park. The northern sagebrush llizard and western fence lizard with its blue belly are commonly viewed on warm summer days. One of the most striking lizards within the monument is the western skink, with the juveniles possessing a bright blue tail

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

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

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

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

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

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.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

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Species attribute definitions

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