Reptiles of the Badlands

Bull snakes are one of the many reptile species in Badlands National Park. NPS Photo / Larry McAfee

Badlands visitors have a chance to spot painted turtles in the park. NPS Photo / Larry McAfee

Reptiles in the Badlands

Long, cold winters keep reptile diversity fairly low in Badlands, with just 9 species found in the park. These snakes, lizards, and turtles contend with extremes of weather that may include temperatures ranging from over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to -20 F or colder in the winter. Because reptiles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, their body temperature varies with environmental conditions. Very cold or hot conditions are especially challenging for these animals.

Most visitors are familiar with the Prairie Rattlesnakes in the park, but Badlands hosts seven snake species -- like this green racer. NPS Photo

The open prairie and rugged badlands formations offer little in the way of shelter. Snakes and lizards are most active during the cooler parts of the day in summertime, seeking shade during the mid-day hours. In the winter, their metabolisms slow as they take shelter underground. They may go for months without eating. Similarly, painted and snapping turtles are found in association with water in summertime, and pass the winter by burying themselves in the mud at the bottom of streams or small ponds.

The prairie rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the park. Despite perceptions of rattlesnakes as aggressive, they prefer to avoid or ignore people. Bites are extremely rare and no fatalities have ever been recorded in the state of South Dakota. Nevertheless, their bites are dangerous, and prairie rattlesnakes should never be approached. To avoid surprising a snake, carefully watch where you put your hands and feet while hiking. Wear long pants and boots rather than sandals, particularly when walking in tall grass.

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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.

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.

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

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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Part of a series of articles titled
Wildlife in the Badlands.

Previous:
Pronghorn: Racers on the Great Plains

Next:
Prairie Rattlesnakes in the Badlands

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