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Box Turtle
(Terrapene carolina)
Box turtles in Alabama occur in a bewildering array of shapes and color patterns. They are easily distinguished from all other Alabama turtles by the nature of the plastron ( lower shell ), which is large, hinged, bilobed, and capable of completely sealing the shell. All are primarily terrestrial in habits and are distressed if in the water and bob on the surface like corks as they clumsily paddle to land.
Photo by: John Borom
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Eastern Cottonmouths mating
(Agkistrodon piscivorus)
(Photo by Dr. Bill Summerour)
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Gulf Salt Marsh Snake
(Nerodia clarkii clarkii)
Nonvenomous. This species occurs in brackish and salt water tidal estuaries and salt grass meadows. Microhabitat includes fiddler crab burrows in tidal mud flats. The prey is primarily fish species such as killifishes and small mullet when they become trapped by the falling tide, as well as small crustaceans.
(photo by John Dindo) |
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Diamondback Watersnake
(Nerodia rhombifer)
Diamondback watersnakes are nonvenomous. They eat a wide variety of fishes and amphibians.
(Photo by Bill Summerour)
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Diamond-backed
Water Snake
(Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer)
This heavy-bodied, non- venomous snake is strongly aquatic and occurs in greatest abundance in sloughs and lakes associated with rivers. It is often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth.
(photo by Marlene Cashen) |
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Eastern Coachwhip
at Fort Morgan
(Masticophis flagellum flagellum)
(Photo by John Borom)
Eastern Coachwhip is usually found in dry, relatively open places where open woods are interspersed with weedy fields. It is lithe and graceful, and among North American snakes its speed and maneuverability are unmatched. The record Eastern Coachwhip measured eight and one half feet in length, but an individual this size would be very unusual. |
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Gray Rat Snake
(Elaphe obsoleta)
This snake occurs in most kinds of terrestrial habitats but attains greatest densities in areas where forests and farmland are generally intermixed, and small rodents are relatively abundant.
(Photo by Marlene Cashen)
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Common Snapping Turtle
(Chelydra serpentina)
When in the water, the common snapping turtle is usually quiet and relatively benign. When on land, it can be savagely defensive. Although they reproduce slowly, snapping turtles continue to be a food source for many people.
(photo by Marlene Cashen) |
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 Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin
(Malaclemys terrapin pileata)
The Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin is becoming scarce in many places where it was formerly abundant as man encroaches on its habitat. The Alabama Natural Heritage Program ranks the species S2, which means that it is rare and is vulnerable to extirpation. It is a "protected" species in Alabama. |
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Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
(Pseudemys alabamensis)
The Alabama Red-bellied Turtle inhabits the fresh to brackish waters of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Mobile Bay and rivers and creeks with an abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation, the turtle's principle food. It is found nowhere else in the world. The Alabama Natural Heritage Program has given it a rank of S1. This means that it is critically imperiled because of its extreme rarity making it especially vulnerable to extirpation. |
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Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
hatchling ( dorsal view )
( Pseudemys alabamensis )
This hatchling was found March 12, 2006 in Mobile Bay just out from the beach in the park at Fairhope. The species was designated the official state reptile by the Alabama Legislature.
photo by Bill Summerour |
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Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
hatchling (ventral view)
(Pseudemys alabamensis)
The species was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is of highest conservation concern in Alabama.
photo by Bill Summerour
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Banded Water Snake
(Nerodia fasciata)
The Nerodia fasciata complex contains several subspecies with overlapping populations. This specimen was spotted on March 12, 2006 in a small fresh water pond at the north end of the beach park in Fairhope. It is a cross between a banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata fasciata) and a broad banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata confluens). Nonvenomous.
photo by Bill Summerour |
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Banded Water Snake
(Nerodia fasciata)
Banded water snakes prey on cold-blooded vertebrates such as fishes, frogs, toads, salamanders and invertebrates such as crayfishes.
photo by Bill Summerour |
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Cottonmouth
(Agkistrodon piscivorus)
This venomous snake occurs in most aquatic habitats, but reaches greatest abundance in Coastal Plain swamps.
(Photo by Marlene Cashen)
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Rainbow Snake
(Farancia erythrogramma erythrogramma)
Reserve staff member Dianna Quinn is holding the beautiful, rare, fossorial, and aquatic species principally associated with clear, unpolluted water. Apparently it has a strong dietary preference for eels. Upon catching an eel, it climbs out of the water. The prey is swallowed head first and the snake often rests with the eels tail dangling from its jaws. This snake was captured alive and released. |
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(Alligator mississippiensis)
The Alligator is a characteristic resident of the great river swamps, lakes, bayous, and marshes of the Gulf Coastal Plain. All sizes bask.
(photo by Marlene Cashen)
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American Alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis)
American alligators mate during the spring, usually at night. The male attracts the female by bellowing loudly and giving off a musky secretion from under his chin. Sometime in May or June the female constructs a mound-shaped nest of leaves, mud, and rotting organic material about seven feet in diameter and three feet high.
(Photo by Cathy Rasinen) |
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 American Alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis)
American alligators can tolerate a reasonable degree of salinity and occur in Alabama estuaries especially after increased fresh water inflow. They are an important part of their ecosystem and are regarded as a keystone species. |
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Green Anole(Anolis carolinensis)
Large males may attain a total length of eight inches. Displaying males can erect a low vertebral crest on the nape and anterior trunk and a red to pink dewlap under the throat.
(Photo by Delores Myers) |
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American Alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis)
photo by John Borom
Shy when unfamiliar with humans, alligators accustomed to the presence of humans can become dangerous. Normal prudence dictates steering clear of any large crocodilian.These beautiful reptiles should be respected and enjoyed from a safe distance. |
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American Alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis)
photo by John Borom
Although this is primarily a freshwater species, alligators are occasionally encountered in estuarine or saltwater habitats.
They are common in the Mobile Tensaw Delta and the upper portion oof Mobile Bay . |
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