List of reptiles of Quebec

Reptiles in Quebec are classified into two orders: Testudines — the turtles — and Squamata — the snakes. There are eleven species of turtles classified in five families, including two exotic species. The snake species, numbering nine, are classified in four families, and include one species whose presence remains to be confirmed.

Testudines Photo Names(common / scientific) IUCN Status Notes Distribution map Family ChelydridaeCommon snapping turtleChelydra serpentinaThe AARQ reports observations in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, around Lac Saint-Jean, and in the Bas-Saint-Laurent. Common and widespread in Quebec. However, COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern. Family KinosternidaeCommon musk turtleSternotherus odoratusThis species is designated as threatened in Quebec and is found only in the Outaouais, along the Ottawa River, between Portage-du-Fort and the locality of Quyon, as well as between Gatineau and Plaisance National Park. The first record of the species in the province dates from 1989. COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern. Family EmydidaePainted turtleChrysemys pictaCommon and widespread in Quebec. However, COSEWIC considers the status of the subspecies C. p. picta of special concern. The painted turtle is the only reptile resistant to freezing.Northern map turtleGraptemys geographicaThis species is designated as vulnerable in Quebec. COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern.Blanding's turtleEmydoidea blandingiiThis species is designated as threatened in Quebec. COSEWIC considers this species endangered.Wood turtleGlyptemys insculptaThis species is designated as vulnerable in Quebec. COSEWIC considers this species threatened.Spotted turtleClemmys guttataThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. COSEWIC considers this species endangered.Red-eared sliderTrachemys scripta elegansExotic species. It has not been proven to have established permanently in Quebec, although there are numerous observations in nature from individuals released from captivity.Common box turtleTerrapene carolinaExotic species that is not established in Quebec. A few individuals, probably released from captivity, have been observed in the wild. Family TrionychidaeEastern spiny softshellApalone spiniferaThis species is designated as threatened in Quebec. The only known population in the province is found in Lake Champlain and some of its tributaries. COSEWIC considers this species endangered. Family DermochelyidaeLeatherback sea turtleDermochelys coriaceaThis species is designated as threatened in Quebec. COSEWIC considers the Atlantic population of this species endangered. Its presence in Quebec is limited to a few observations in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Squamata

Photo Names(common / scientific) IUCN Status Notes Distribution map Family NatricidaeCommon garter snakeThamnophis sirtalisThe most common, widespread, and northernmost snake in Quebec.Eastern ribbon snakeThamnophis sauritusThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. Rare, the few observations come from southern Outaouais. The first record in Quebec was reported in 2003.Northern water snakeNerodia sipedonThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. The majority of observations come from the Outaouais.Northern red-bellied snakeStoreria occipitomaculataCommon and widespread in Quebec.De Kay's brown snakeStoreria dekayiThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. Rare species. Observations come from the greater Montreal region. Family ColubridaeSmooth green snakeOpheodrys vernalisThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.Eastern milksnakeLampropeltis triangulumThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern. Family DipsadidaeNorthern ringneck snakeDiadophis punctatusThis species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. Family ViperidaeTimber rattlesnakeCrotalus horridusBorderline species. Unconfirmed observations of this species come from around lakes Champlain and Memphremagog as well as in Montérégie near the border. It is probable that this rattlesnake once occupied the province, but it is unlikely that it can be confirmed today given that it has been extirpated from several regions in the north of its range. See also

List of birds of Quebec List of amphibians of Quebec List of trees of Quebec List of mammals of Quebec List of reptiles of Canada

External links Atlas of amphibians and reptiles of Quebec

References

This article was translated from Liste des reptiles au Québec.