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Carlsbad Caverns National ParkTemple of the Sun in the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Reptiles
Texas banded gecko (Coleonyx brevis) is the only species of gecko in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
NPS Photo
Texas banded gecko (Coleonyx brevis) is the only species of gecko in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
 

Among the 46 species of reptiles in the park are the gray-banded kingsnake, an endangered species in New Mexico, and two state-threatened species: the Rio Grande cooter (a turtle) and the mottled rock rattlesnake. Though rare in the state, the mottled rock rattlesnake is the most common snake seen in the park.

Rattlesnakes are far less common in the park than lizards. Most often seen are the several species of whiptail lizards, spiny lizards, and horned lizards. There are also two species of skinks and one gecko. Among the non-venomous snakes are such diverse animals as the Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake, Trans-Pecos ratsnake, and mountain patch-nosed snake.

The park also provides habitat for four species of turtles, one of which—the ornate box turtle—is not aquatic.

Herpetofauna Checklist [347k PDF]

Evening bat flight at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.  

Did You Know?
Nearly 400,000 Brazilian (more commonly called Mexican) free-tail bats call Carlsbad Cavern home in the summer... and all they want to do each night is eat bugs... several tons of them each night!

Last Updated: April 18, 2008 at 02:43 EST