List of reptiles and amphibians of Alaska

Alaska is the northwestern most part of North America. Reptiles and amphibians are not common in Alaska due to them being cold-blooded. Alaska has four reptile species and eight amphibian species. Two of these species are introduced. There are no snakes or lizards in Alaska.

Reptiles

Order: Testudines - turtles and tortoises

Family: Cheloniidae - typical sea turtles

Family: Dermochelyidae - leatherback sea turtles

Amphibians

Order: Anura - frogs and toads

Family: Bufonidae - true toads

Family: Hylidae - tree frogs

Family: Ranidae - true frogs

Order: Caudata - newts and salamanders

Family: Ambystomatidae - mole salamanders

Family: Salamandridae - newts

Unconfirmed species

Two species are alleged to occur naturally in Alaska, but are not officially confirmed.

• Batrachoseps caudatus, the Alaska worm salamander, was described based on a specimen described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1889. It was described based on an individual allegedly captured on Annette Island; this is likely mislabeled and the specimen is from California, and represents the California slender salamander.
• The common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, has allegedly been seen around the Taku River and Stikine River, but the snakes have never been officially recorded in the state.

Additionally, the tailed frog, Ascaphus truei, occurs in British Columbia until the Portland Inlet, and may occur in southernmost Alaska.

References