Schuylkill Hub Search

Outdoor Life · Wildlife

Reptiles of Schuylkill County

24 documented taxa of class Reptilia recorded in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania — by iNaturalist research-grade records as of 2026-06-18 — with detailed accounts of the most notable, signature, and introduced species.

How this list is sourced. County presence is anchored to records filtered to Schuylkill County — iNaturalist research-grade observations (place 1470). Observation counts are an effort-biased signal of recording activity as of 2026-06-18, not a census. Biology and identification draw on state and museum authorities; per-species links go to Wikipedia for cross-reference only.

Conservation ranks here are relayed from NatureServe / iNaturalist and are not definitive Pennsylvania ranks — confirm against the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) before relying on them.

Detailed accounts

24 of the 24 documented taxa are profiled in detail below — the most-recorded, signature, introduced, and notable species. The complete checklist follows.

Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina — Chelydridae

Native

Description & ID
large turtle with a massive head, long saw-toothed tail, small plastron, and powerful jaws; up to 35+ cm carapace.
Habitat
ponds, lakes, slow rivers, and marshes with muddy bottoms; highly aquatic.
County status
present; 17 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
omnivorous; only leaves water to nest. Defensive on land but not aggressive in water.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina — Emydidae

Native

Description & ID
terrestrial turtle with a high domed carapace and a hinged plastron allowing it to close completely; variable yellow-orange markings; males often have red eyes.
Habitat
moist deciduous woodlands, meadows, and field edges; terrestrial.
County status
present and well-recorded; 50 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; PA NatureServe S3S4 (vulnerable) [S1][S9]; localities obscured. Long-lived, slow to mature, and sensitive to road mortality and collection. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
strong site fidelity to a small home range; omnivorous. Do not relocate individuals — it disrupts populations.

More on Wikipedia →

Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta — Emydidae

Native

Description & ID
smooth dark carapace with red markings on the marginal scutes and yellow stripes on head and limbs.
Habitat
ponds, marshes, and slow streams with soft bottoms and basking sites.
County status
present and common; 27 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
the most familiar basking turtle; omnivorous.

More on Wikipedia →

Wood Turtle

Glyptemys insculpta — Emydidae

Native

Description & ID
sculpted, pyramidal carapace scutes; orange coloring on neck and legs.
Habitat
clear streams and adjacent riparian woodlands and meadows; semi-terrestrial.
County status
present; 29 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; vulnerable (NatureServe N3) [S1][S9]; localities obscured. Declining range-wide due to habitat loss and collection. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
intelligent forager; highly vulnerable to illegal collection — never share locations.

More on Wikipedia →

Spotted Turtle

Clemmys guttata — Emydidae

Native

Description & ID
small black turtle dotted with yellow spots on carapace, head, and limbs.
Habitat
shallow wetlands, bogs, fens, vernal pools, and wet meadows.
County status
present; 3 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; PA S3S4 (vulnerable) [S1][S9]; localities obscured. Wetland loss and collection are key threats. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
active early in spring; semi-aquatic.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus — Kinosternidae

Native

Also known as
stinkpot.
Description & ID
small, high-domed turtle with two light stripes on the head; releases a musky odor when handled.
Habitat
slow, soft-bottomed waters; highly aquatic, rarely basks.
County status
present; 4 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
often walks along the bottom rather than swimming.

More on Wikipedia →

Northern Map Turtle

Graptemys geographica — Emydidae

Native

Description & ID
olive carapace with fine maplike yellow lines and a low keel; yellow spot behind the eye.
Habitat
larger rivers and lakes; strongly aquatic.
County status
present; 1 research-grade record [S1] — uncommon, associated with larger waterways.
Conservation status
native; secure in PA. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
females much larger than males; eats mollusks and crayfish.

More on Wikipedia →

Pond Slider (Red-eared Slider)

Trachemys scripta — Emydidae

Introduced

Description & ID
the familiar pet-trade turtle; T. s. elegans has a red ear stripe.
Habitat
ponds and slow water; tolerant of disturbed habitats.
County status
present; 9 research-grade records [S1]. Introduced to the county (released pets) [S1].
Conservation status
non-native; can compete with native turtles. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
breeding populations may establish from releases; included as a documented county occurrence.

More on Wikipedia →

Common Five-lined Skink

Plestiodon fasciatus — Scincidae

Native

Description & ID
smooth, glossy lizard; juveniles black with five cream stripes and a bright blue tail; adults fade to brown, breeding males develop orange jaws.
Habitat
rocky, wooded slopes, logs, stumps, and rock piles in sunny areas.
County status
present; 13 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
PA's most widespread lizard; drops its tail to escape predators.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Fence Lizard

Sceloporus undulatus — Phrynosomatidae

Native

Description & ID
rough, spiny-scaled gray-brown lizard; males show blue belly patches.
Habitat
dry, open woodlands, rocky outcrops, and forest edges; basks on logs and rocks.
County status
present; 2 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; PA S3 (vulnerable) [S1][S9]; localities obscured. PA's only spiny lizard, at the edge of its northern range. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
climbs trees and rocks; relies on camouflage and quick dashes.

More on Wikipedia →

Brown Anole

Anolis sagrei — Dactyloidae

Introduced not established in the county

Description & ID
small brown anole native to the Caribbean; males have an orange-red dewlap.
County status
2 research-grade records [S1], introduced/incidental — almost certainly hitchhikers on nursery plants rather than an established population (the species cannot overwinter in PA).
Conservation status
non-native; not established. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
recorded for completeness; not part of the native fauna.

More on Wikipedia →

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
variable; typically three yellow stripes on a dark body. PA's most common snake.
Habitat
nearly everywhere — fields, woods, wetlands, gardens.
County status
present and abundant; 80 research-grade records — the most-recorded reptile in the county [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
harmless; bears live young; eats earthworms, amphibians, and small prey.

More on Wikipedia →

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
heavy-bodied, banded/blotched brown snake; darkens with age. Often misidentified as a "water moccasin" (which does not occur in PA).
Habitat
streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands; basks on banks and overhanging branches.
County status
present and common; 49 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
non-venomous but bites readily and musks when handled; eats fish and amphibians.

More on Wikipedia →

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
small, slate-gray snake with a yellow-orange neck ring and belly.
Habitat
moist woodlands under rocks, logs, and bark.
County status
present; 36 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
secretive; eats salamanders, worms, and small snakes.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
gray with reddish-brown, black-bordered blotches; a "Y" or "V" mark on the nape. Often killed out of mistaken fear.
Habitat
fields, woodland edges, barns, and rocky areas.
County status
present; 25 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
harmless constrictor; eats rodents and other snakes — beneficial around farms.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis — Colubridae

Native

Also known as
black ratsnake.
Description & ID
PA's longest snake (to ~1.8 m); glossy black above, often with a pale chin and weak blotching.
Habitat
woodlands, farmland, and rocky hillsides; an excellent climber.
County status
present; 17 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
powerful constrictor controlling rodents; valuable around barns. (A few county records are entered as the closely related Gray Ratsnake, P. spiloides, 3 records [S1] — reflecting taxonomic boundary uncertainty in the region.)

More on Wikipedia →

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor — Colubridae

Native

Also known as
black racer.
Description & ID
slender, fast, uniformly black (eastern form) with a white chin; large eyes.
Habitat
open woods, fields, and brushy edges.
County status
present; 10 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
fast-moving, alert diurnal hunter; despite the name, not a constrictor.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
stout snake with an upturned snout; highly variable color. Famous for elaborate bluffing then playing dead.
Habitat
sandy or loose-soil areas, fields, and open woods.
County status
present; 7 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure but locally uncommon. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
toad specialist; rear-fanged but essentially harmless to humans.

More on Wikipedia →

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
small brown snake with two rows of dark spots down the back; common even in cities.
Habitat
moist areas under cover; gardens, parks, vacant lots, woodland edges.
County status
present; 2 research-grade records [S1] (under-recorded).
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
harmless; eats earthworms and slugs.

More on Wikipedia →

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
tiny snake with a bright red-orange belly and usually three pale neck spots.
Habitat
moist woodlands and edges, under logs and rocks.
County status
present; 2 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; secure. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
harmless; a slug and snail specialist.

More on Wikipedia →

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
slender, bright green snake with a white-yellow belly; blends into grass.
Habitat
moist meadows, grassy fields, and marsh edges.
County status
present; 1 research-grade record [S1] — secretive and easily overlooked.
Conservation status
native; secure but declining in some areas due to pesticide impacts on its insect prey. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
one of the few insectivorous snakes; harmless.

More on Wikipedia →

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata — Colubridae

Native

Description & ID
slender brown snake with yellowish lower stripes; specialized on freshly molted crayfish.
Habitat
clean, rocky streams with crayfish; highly water-quality dependent.
County status
present; 1 research-grade record [S1].
Conservation status
native; PA S3S4 (vulnerable) [S1][S9]; localities obscured. An indicator of good stream health. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
decline tracks crayfish and water-quality loss.

More on Wikipedia →

Timber Rattlesnake venomous

Crotalus horridus — Viperidae

Native venomous

Description & ID
large, heavy-bodied pit viper with dark chevron crossbands, a rattle, and a broad head; yellow and black color morphs occur. PA's largest venomous snake.
Habitat
forested rocky ridges, talus slopes, and den sites; basks near gestation areas.
County status
present; 32 research-grade records [S1] — well-documented on the county's ridges.
Conservation status
native; PA S3S4 (vulnerable) [S1][S9]; a PA "candidate" species with regulated, permit-only harvest; localities obscured. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
venomous — observe from a distance and do not handle. Generally non-aggressive; vital rodent predator. Slow-reproducing and den-site dependent, making it vulnerable to persecution and collection.

More on Wikipedia →

Eastern Copperhead venomous

Agkistrodon contortrix — Viperidae

Native venomous

Description & ID
coppery-tan pit viper with hourglass-shaped crossbands; coppery head. Juveniles have a yellow tail tip.
Habitat
rocky, wooded hillsides, stone walls, and woodland edges.
County status
present; 9 research-grade records [S1].
Conservation status
native; PA S3S4 (vulnerable) [S1][S9]; localities obscured. (confirm against PNHP)
Notes
venomous — do not handle; bites are rarely fatal but require medical care. Well camouflaged in leaf litter; relies on ambush.

More on Wikipedia →

Complete checklist

Every taxon recorded research-grade for Schuylkill County as of 2026-06-18, by provenance tier. 24 are iNaturalist research-grade records.

24 iNaturalist county records
Common name Scientific name Records Status
Common Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis 80 Native
Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina 50 Native
Common Watersnake Nerodia sipedon 49 Native
Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus 36 Native
Timber Rattlesnake venomous Crotalus horridus 32 Native
Wood Turtle Glyptemys insculpta 29 Native
Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta 27 Native
Eastern Milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum 25 Native
Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina 17 Native
Eastern Ratsnake Pantherophis alleghaniensis 17 Native
Common Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus 13 Native
North American Racer Coluber constrictor 10 Native
Eastern Copperhead venomous Agkistrodon contortrix 9 Native
Pond Slider (Red-eared Slider) Trachemys scripta 9 Introduced
Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platirhinos 7 Native
Eastern Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus 4 Native
Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata 3 Native
Brown Anole Anolis sagrei 2 Introduced
Eastern Fence Lizard Sceloporus undulatus 2 Native
DeKay's Brownsnake Storeria dekayi 2 Native
Red-bellied Snake Storeria occipitomaculata 2 Native
Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica 1 Native
Smooth Greensnake Opheodrys vernalis 1 Native
Queensnake Regina septemvittata 1 Native

Expected but not yet confirmed

These species plausibly occur in the county's habitats but lack a county-level record as of 2026-06-18. They are candidates, not county records — listed so the checklist's silence on them is not mistaken for confirmed absence, and excluded from the counts and the dataset above. Confirmation should cite a county-level record.

  • Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus) — Eastern Gartersnake intergrades.
  • Northern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) — Eastern Gartersnake intergrades.
  • Shorthead Gartersnake (Thamnophis brachystoma) — Eastern Gartersnake intergrades.
  • Eastern Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera) — along major waterways.

Sources

← All wildlife