Skip to Content

Top 20 Scaly Animals Found In US

Published:

Author:
Author Kiah Bettison

Copperhead
Copperhead snake isolated on white backgroud, shows juvenile venemous snake closeup. Image via Deposit Photos

Join us as we uncover the top 20 most scaly animals on American soil.

1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Head of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). Image via Depositphotos

The largest rattlesnake species in North America. Furthermore, they are found in the southeastern United States.

2. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

Western Diamond snake
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Image via Holger Krisp, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Common in the southwestern United States, known for its distinctive diamond-shaped pattern.

3. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Copperhead
Copperhead in it’s natural habitat. Image via Deposit Photos

They are found in the eastern United States. Moreover, they have a copper-colored head and hourglass pattern on its body.

4. Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

cottonmouth
Water moccasins (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are a common venomous snake species inhabitating wetlands in the southern United States. Image via Deposit Photos

A venomous semi-aquatic snake found in the southeastern United States.

5. Garter Snake (Thamnophis spp.)

Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern garter snakes eats pests such as slugs. Image via depositphotos.

Common throughout North America. They are non-venomous and are found in gardens and near water sources.

6. Coral Snake (Micrurus spp.)

Coral Snake
Coral Snake Image by erllre via depositphotos

They are known for bright coloration and potent venom. Additionally, they are found in the southeastern United States.

7. King Snake (Lampropeltis spp.)

Lampropeltis Mexicana king snake
Mexican king snake. Image Via Chmee2, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Non-venomous and known for eating other snakes, including venomous ones.

    Lizards

    8. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

    Alligator
    American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) photographed in Chambers Co., Texas, USA. Image via Wilafa, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Found in the southeastern United States, especially in Florida and Louisiana.

    9. American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

    Nile crocodile swollowing fish.
    Nile crocodile swollowing fish. Image by JohanSwanepoel via Depositphotos

    Primarily found in southern Florida, especially in the Everglades.

    10. Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)

    Gila monster poison lizard. Image by DesignPicsInc on depositphotos.

    They are one of the only venomous lizards. Found in the southwestern United States.

    11. Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

    Eastern fence lizard
    Photograph of an eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) sunning itself on a rock. Image via Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Common in the eastern United States. They are known for their rough, spiny scales.

    12. Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)

    Green Anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis) showing off his bright pink dewlap on an iron bench in the garden.
    Green Anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis) showing off his bright pink dewlap on an iron bench in the garden. Image by krisrobin via depositphotos

    Native to the southeastern United States. They are also known for their ability to change color.

    13. Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)

    Western Fence Lizard
    Western Fence Lizard. Image via Deposit Photos

    Common in the western United States, and often seen basking on rocks and fences.

    14. Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)

    Texas Horned Lizard
    Texas Horned Lizard, also known as the “horny toad”. Image by Thomas Park via Unsplash

    Found in the central and southwestern United States. Furthermore, they have distinctive “horns” and ability to squirt blood from its eyes as a defense mechanism.

      Turtles

      15. Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

      Alligator snapping turtle
      An alligator snapping turtle, covered in algae. Image via Norbert Nagel, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

      Located throughout North America. Additionally, they are aggressive in nature and have powerful beak-like jaws.

      16. Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

      Eastern box turtle. Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

      A land-dwelling turtle found in the eastern United States. They have a domed shell.

      17. Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

      Red-Eared Slider
      Red-Eared Slider. Image by Deposit Photos

      Common in ponds and slow-moving rivers throughout the United States.

      18. Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

      A painted turtle. Image via depositphotos.

      Found throughout North America. They have distinctive colorful markings.

      19. Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

      Large tortoise reptile walking on sandy ground through an arid desert landscape. Image by paulvinten via Depositphotos

      Native to the deserts of the southwestern United States, known for its high-domed shell and burrowing behavior.

        Amphibians with Scaley Appearance

        20. Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

        Hellbender
        Hellbender. Image via Deposit Photos

        A large salamander found in the eastern United States. Additionally, they have wrinkly, scale-like skin.

          Overall, these animals highlight the diversity of reptiles and amphibians across various habitats in the United States.

          So, if you enjoyed this article, check out our related article link below for more!

          Next up:

          Join our Forum for free today!

          Animal Forum
          Click Here
          Latest posts by Kiah Bettison (see all)
          Grizzly Bear Spotted Feet From Alaskan Campsite Top 10 States With The Most Cougar Top 10 States With The Most Moose Top 10 States With The Most Coyote Top 10 States With The Most Elk