Endangered Reptile Population by State

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: May 31, 2023
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Animals with scaly skin and cold blood, reptiles can be both predator and prey. They consist of arguably the deadliest and most venomous animals on Earth, such as the saltwater crocodile and the spitting cobra.

Some of these intriguing creatures live in difficult-to-access areas like marshes, and many humans fear them. More and more of these animals are going extinct due to a number of reasons. 

Logging, climate change, and urban development are causing so much harm to these creatures that many have become endangered. So, today we’re going to look at the endangered reptile population by state.

Threatened vs. Endangered

Based on its situation and the level of harm it confronts, a species is classified as either an endangered species or a threatened species. An “endangered species” is one that faces extinction across the entirety of its range or a significant part of it. 

Wildlife Conservation Day. Or wildlife protection It's a diverse group of people who come together to build hands, hearts that connect to protect the environment. and promote conservation wildlife.

As a whole, we can make this planet better for all reptiles and animals.

©gan chaonan/Shutterstock.com

Meanwhile, a “threatened species” is one that has a high likelihood of going extinct in the near future across all or a large portion of its geographic area. When researchers list a species as endangered or threatened due to the current or anticipated destruction, modification, or limitation of its environment or range, the experts include them on the list. 

A factor is also overuse for industrial, recreational, scientific, or instructional objectives. An animal may end up on the list due to disease or predatory behavior. Although individuals can help lessen the chances of animals becoming threatened or extinct, the majority of the responsibility falls on large corporations that take over habitats and are the main contributors to climate change and global warming.

Reptile Endangerment By State

United States in close up on the map. Focus on the name of country.

Not every state has at-risk reptiles.

©GetFocus/Shutterstock.com

Alabama: 10

Alabama has several reptiles that face extinction. Specifically, the Alabama red-bellied turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, kemp’s ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle are endangered.

Further, threatened reptiles that live in Alabama are black pine snakes, eastern indigo snakes, flattened musk turtles, green sea turtles, and loggerhead sea turtles.

Alaska : 0 

There are no endangered reptiles in Alaska.

Arizona: 5

The desert tortoise, narrow-headed garter snake, New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake, and northern Mexican garter snake are threatened. Endangered in Arizona is the Sonoyta mud turtle. 

Arkansas: 0

Arkansas is thriving with reptiles, none of which are endangered.

California: 7 

Striped Racer

While threatened, striped racers live all throughout California.

©Matt Jeppson/Shutterstock.com

Threatened in California are the striped racer, Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, desert tortoise, giant garter snake, and green sea turtle. Endangered species, meanwhile, are the blunt-nosed leopard lizard and leatherback sea turtles

Colorado: 0

No endangered reptiles call the Mile High State home.

Connecticut : 3

While the leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles are endangered here, the bog turtle is in threatened status. 

Delaware: 3

Delaware has the same outcome that Connecticut does. Threatened here is the bog turtle, while the hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles have the endangered status.

Florida: 10

Florida is home to a myriad of reptiles. Many of these are at risk of going extinct. Threatened reptiles include the American alligator, American crocodile, Atlantic salt marsh snake, blue-tailed mole skink, Eastern indigo snake, green sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle. 

nature background with mole skink

Mole skinks somewhat resemble snakes with legs.

©fran_pt/Shutterstock.com

Endangered reptiles are the hawksbill, kemp’s ridley, and leatherback sea turtles. 

Georgia: 5

Endangered reptiles that live in Georgia are the hawksbill, leatherback, and kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Threatened in the state are the eastern indigo snake and loggerhead sea turtle. 

Hawaii: 4

Across the islands of Hawaii, you’ll find that green sea turtles and olive ridley sea turtles are threatened. Further, hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles are endangered. 

Idaho: 0

There are no reptiles at risk in Idaho.

Illinois: 1

As you’ll see with much of the midwest, a common and threatened reptile in the region is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Indiana: 2 

In Indiana, threatened reptiles include both the copperbelly water snake and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Iowa: 1

The only reptile threatened in Iowa is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Kansas: 0

The endangered reptile population by state shows nothing for Kansas.

Kentucky: 0 

You won’t find any endangered or threatened reptiles in Kentucky either.

Louisiana: 7

leatherback turtle

Leatherback sea turtles are endangered everywhere.

©Stephanie Rousseau/Shutterstock.com

The leatherback sea turtle and kemp’s ridley sea turtle are endangered here. The gopher tortoise, loggerhead sea turtle, Louisiana pine snake, and ringed map turtle, are threatened.

Maine: 2

Maine is known for its fresh seafood, not reptiles. However, endangered here are the leatherback sea turtle and hawksbill sea turtle. 

Maryland: 3

Similar to other New England states, Maryland finds that the leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles are endangered, while the bog turtle is threatened.  

Massachusetts: 4

Massachusetts recognizes the endangered hawksbill sea turtle, the leatherback sea turtle, and the Plymouth redbelly turtle. Threatened is the bog turtle.

Michigan: 2

The threatened reptiles that live in Michigan are the copperbelly water snake and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Minnesota: 1 

The land of over 10,000 lakes just has one threatened reptile and it’s the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. 

Mississippi: 10

There are several reptiles in Mississippi that are at risk of extinction. The Alabama red-bellied turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, kemp’s ridley sea turtle, and leatherback sea turtle are all endangered. 

Black Pine Snake

Pine snakes are non-venomous.

©reptiles4all/Shutterstock.com

The black pine snake, Eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, loggerhead sea turtle, ringed map turtle, and yellow-blotched map turtle are all threatened. 

Missouri: 0

You won’t find any reptiles at risk in Missouri.

Montana: 0

Montana doesn’t have threatened or endangered reptiles.

Nebraska: 0 

The endangered reptile population by state shows nothing for Nebraska.

Nevada: 1

Although mostly desert, Nevada has just one threatened reptile and it’s the desert tortoise.  

New Hampshire: 2

This New England state is home to the endangered hawksbill sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle.  

New Jersey: 3 

Endangered reptiles in New Jersey include the leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles. The bog turtle remains threatened. 

bog turtle

Bog turtles are usually less than 4.5 inches long.

©Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock.com

New Mexico: 3

In the desert of New Mexico, the narrow-headed garter snake, the New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake, and the Northern Mexican garter snake are all threatened.

New York: 4

The massive skyscrapers and population numbers in New York may be one of the reasons leatherback sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles are endangered here. Also, threatened reptiles here are bog turtles and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes.

North Carolina: 7 

Threatened reptiles in North Carolina are the American alligator, bog turtle, green sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle. You’ll also find that endangered reptiles in this state include hawksbill, kemp’s ridley, and leatherback sea turtles.  

North Dakota : 0

There are no reptiles at risk in North Dakota! 

Ohio: 2

Copperbelly Water Snake

Copperbelly snakes have a deeper color underneath than yellow-belly snakes.

©Mike Wilhelm/Shutterstock.com

Threatened here are copperbelly water snakes and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes. 

Oklahoma: 1

The American alligator remains threatened in Oklahoma. 

Oregon: 4

Threatened in Oregon are the olive ridley sea turtle and the desert tortoise. Also, endangered reptiles are the leatherback sea turtle and the loggerhead sea turtle.

Pennsylvania: 2

You won’t find many bog turtles or eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania since they’re threatened.

Rhode Island: 2

Even though the state is small, Rhode Island still has two endangered reptiles. These are the hawksbill sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. 

South Carolina: 5

The green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, and bog turtle are all threatened in South Carolina. Leatherback sea turtles and kemp’s ridley sea turtles remain endangered. 

South Dakota: 0

South Dakota has no endangered or threatened reptiles! 

Tennessee: 1

Tennessee’s only threatened reptile is the bog turtle.

Texas: 6

Sea Turtle, Turtle, Hawaii Islands, Sea, Green Turtle

You can find green sea turtles in the water near Hawaii.

©iStock.com/ShaneMyersPhoto

Threatened in Texas are the Louisiana pine snake, green sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle. Endangered are the leatherback, hawksbill, and kemp’s ridley sea turtles.

Utah: 1

The only threatened reptile in Utah is the desert tortoise. 

Vermont: 0 

The endangered reptile population by state pulls up nothing for Vermont.

Virginia: 5 

loggerhead

Loggerhead sea turtles are much smaller than other species.

©Matteo photos/Shutterstock.com

You’ve guessed it! The green sea turtle and loggerhead sea turtle are threatened here, while the hawksbill, kemp’s ridley, and leatherback sea turtles are endangered.

Washington: 1

The Evergreen State has one endangered reptile and it’s the leatherback sea turtle.  

West Virginia: 0 

You won’t find any threatened or endangered reptiles in West Virginia. 

Wisconsin: 1

The only threatened reptile in Wisconsin is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Wyoming: 0 

There are no reptiles at risk in Wyoming. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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