The common rocky mountain reptiles include snakes, lizards, and turtles.  Here are some of the common reptiles you are likely to see in the Rockies.

Reptiles are scarce in the mountains due to the cool summers there. Despite that, there are about 20 kinds of reptiles in the Rocky Mountains.  Of those, there are many snakes in the Rocky Mountains, but only one poisonous snake, the Western Rattlesnake, which lives mainly below 8,000 feet.

The Common Rocky Mountain Reptiles Belong To Two Orders

There are four orders of reptiles, but only two of them are represented in the Rocky Mountains.  Remember order is part of the classification system of life.

Snakes and lizards are found in the Rockies.

Crocodiles and Tuataras are not in the Rockies.  In fact, Tuatara are a mostly extinct order of reptiles that can only be found on a few islands off the coast of New Zealand.

Fun Fact About Reptiles – Reptiles are different from amphibians because they can live away from water. Their scales help them keep moisture in their bodies.

Common Rocky Mountain Reptiles

Garter Snake

Size: 30 inches

Lifespan: 2 years, but up to 12 years.

Description: Body has squarish, dark brown spots. Yellow stripe on each side and on the back from neck to tail

Habitat: Watersides, forests, and grasslands

Gopher Snake

Size: 5 feet

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years.

Description: Head is yellowish brown; body is brown with yellow bands.

Habitat: Lives below 9,000 feet in forests, grasslands, and deserts.

Notes:   This is a large snake. This snake is not poisonous, but it’s bite can hurt very badly.

Painted Turtle

Size: 5 – 8 inches

Lifespan: Up to 40 years.

Description: Head is black with yellow stripes on the sides. The legs and bottom of the shell has red markings.

Habitat: Lives at low elevations in ponds, wetlands, or slow moving streams.

Notes: This is the most common turtle in North America. It can be seen sitting on logs soaking up the sun during the day.

Rattlesnake (Western Rattlesnake)

Size: 4 feet

Lifespan: 16 – 20 years

Description: They have a triangular head and rattles on their tail. It is grayish with dark brown spots that become almost bands towards the tail.

Habitat: Grasslands, sagebrush, forests, and canyonsides. Lives mainly below 8,000 feet.

Notes:   Rattlesnakes add a rattle on their tail each time they shed their skin, which happens between 1 and 3 times a year.

Read this for tips on what you should do if you get bit by a rattlesnake.  Or check out this post on what to do if you see a rattlesnake.  Finally, is it true that baby rattlesnakes are more poisonous than adults?

Sagebrush Lizard

Size: 5 ½ inches

Lifespan: 3 – 4 years.

Description: Striped brown and grayish white on the top of its body and head. Throat and belly are bright blue.

Habitat: Sagebrush deserts and juniper and pine forests.

Notes: This is the only lizard in Yellowstone and Grand Teton N.P.’s.

Short Horned Lizard

Size: 2 ½ – 6 inches

Lifespan: 5 – 8 years

Description: They have a crown of horns on their head and across their back. Yellowish, gray, or reddish-brown.

Habitat: Up to 9,000 feet in rocky, sandy areas or juniper and pine forests.

Notes: They eat mainly ants, but also grasshoppers, beetles, and spiders.

Western Skink

Size: 3 – 8 inches

Lifespan: Up to 10 years.

Description: Smooth scales and slim body. They are brown on top with two long black stripes from head to tail along sides of body.

Habitat: Lives under bark, logs, and rocks. Lives in grasslands, woods, and rocky streamsides.

Notes:   Young ones have a bright blue tail.