Reptiles

black baby sea turtle moving across the sand
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle - Padre Island National Seashore

NPS Photo

Reptiles may not be the first animals you think of when imagining the kinds of species that inhabit coastal and Great Lakes national parks, but these fascinating creatures are an important part of aquatic and nearshore ecosystems. Unlike mammals, reptiles are “cold-blooded,” which means that they can’t regulate their body temperature internally. Coastal and Great Lakes national parks provide many opportunities to learn about this process and the ways in which reptiles have adapted to both hot and cold environments.

In addition to the more common lizards and snakes, parks like Everglades are home to alligators and crocodiles – ancient species relatively unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs. These top predators act as habitat engineers, because their digging provides water holes that many species rely on in the dry season. Sea turtles are also an ancient species, and have long been an inspiration for people all over the world to protect beach habitat. Although sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean, they return to nest in the beaches where they hatched – beaches that are found in parks like Dry Tortugas and Padre Islands.

Unfortunately, sea turtles, alligators, and other marine reptiles face many threats, including habitat destruction, marine debris, use of their body parts for commercial products like alligator hand-bags and turtle soup. National parks not only protect essential habitat for these animals, they also give us a chance to learn more about and appreciate these ancient creatures with which we share the planet.

Learn More

Showing results 1-10 of 10

  • The Garter Snake Ssscoop

    • Type: Article
    A snake swims through water.

    The surprising story about Garter Snakes, one of the most common snakes in the United States. Small and non-venomous, to deter predators they release a musky scent.

  • Everglades National Park

    Anhinga Trail

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Everglades National Park
    A paved trail adjacent to a lake with still water. A palm tree is silhouetted in the distance

    The famous Anhinga Trail is a self-guiding pavement and boardwalk trail winding through and over sawgrass marsh and freshwater slough. A paved path leads you along the water and to a looping boardwalk, providing views into the prairie and the clear waters of the slough. You may see alligators, fish, turtles, anhingas, and many other birds, especially during the winter, when the generally lower waters of the dry season concentrate aquatic wildlife in the slough. This is one th

  • At-Risk Turtles - Ongoing Research Spotlight

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway,
    A turtle with bright orange chin and neck peers upward from a woody wet spot

    Parks are a great place to appreciate turtles in their natural habitat. NPS is now studying at-risk land turtles in the Mid-Atlantic to better understand how to help them survive into the future.

  • Natchez Trace Parkway

    River Bend, Milepost 122.6

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Natchez Trace Parkway
    A portion of a lake with a tree covered bank.

    River Bend is a popular spot for picnics where you can enjoy scenic views of the Ross Barnett reservoir. Alligators can sometimes be seen in the water. It's also a great spot for fishing.

  • Species Spotlight - Woodland Box Turtle

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division
    A turtle supports the Earh on its back

    Box turtles have evolved the familiar turtle shell to near perfection, holding the ability to close of its head and legs within its hinged under shell.

  • John Muir National Historic Site

    Threatened Alameda Whipsnake More Flexible in Habitat Use Than Previously Thought

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: John Muir National Historic Site
    Image of snake with vertical black and yellow stripes stretching between branches of Oak trees.

    The threatened Alameda whipsnake is generally thought to prefer habitat with chaparral or scrub plant communities. So when park scientists found Alameda whipsnakes in unexpected places at John Muir National Historic site, they realized that the snake may be using a broader range of habitats than previously thought. Their results could have significant implications for habitat management not only at John Muir, but across the snake's range.

  • Acadia National Park

    2021 Research Brief: Using Turtle DNA in Water to Find Turtles

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park
    a researcher measures a turtle in front of a lake, mountain in the rear

    Scientists Greg LeClair from University of Maine - Orono is developing a new tool to find rare animals by finding their DNA in the water without having to actually see the animal. Check out this research brief to find out more about how Acadia National Park is a living laboratory for research and scientific discovery.

  • Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Carolina Anole

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Gulf Islands National Seashore
    Carolina Anole

    This green anole is the only native species of anole in the United States.

  • Virgin Islands National Park

    VIIS Turtle Monitoring Report 2017

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Virgin Islands National Park
    Turtle Nesting on St. John

    The St. John Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program, funded by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, wrapped up the 2017 season with great success. The project’s aim was to conduct island-wide nesting surveys and foster awareness for sea turtle conservation.

  • Sea Turtle Monitoring 2017

    • Type: Article
Tags: turtle alligator crocodile reptile
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Last updated: May 19, 2017

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