Reptiles of
Tennessee [USA]

Related checklists:  USA

Bibliography of the reptiles of Tennessee Taxonomic history of the reptiles of Tennessee Introduced species
Home - Taxonomy - Geography - Biodiversity - Literature - Purchase RepFocus Recent updates
Citation: Midtgaard, Rune. RepFocus - A Survey of the Reptiles of the World. www.repfocus.dk (Compilation date: 14th April, 2023).

Checklist
General remarks: The list includes only formally described species. Newly discovered, but still unnamed species are excluded. However, unnamed species or species unassigned to species level are included, if they are the only representatives of their genus in the region. Species counts exclude extinct and introduced species. Doubtful records, typically older voucher specimens of uncertain origin, have been excluded if considered questionable, as are records based on sources considered unreliable or controversial.
Note: Your comments to the checklist (omissions, errors, etc.) are welcomed, preferably if they are provided with reliable references. If possible, please attach a pdf file of the relevant reference to an email addressed to:
Crocodilians (Crocodylia)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Alligatoridae (Alligators and Caimans)
Genus Alligator (Alligators)
 
Alligator mississippiensis

American Alligator

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013

Lizards (Sauria)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Anguidae (Slowworms, etc.)
Genus Ophisaurus (North American Glass Lizards)
 
Ophisaurus attenuatus

Slender Glass Lizard

Behler & King 1979 Holman 1971 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 Family Anolidae (Anoles)
Genus Anolis (Typical Anoles)
 
Anolis carolinensis

Common Green Anole

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 Family Phrynosomatidae (North American Lesser Iguanas)
Genus Sceloporus (Northern Spiny Lizards)
 
Sceloporus undulatus

Eastern Fence Lizard

Gentry 1956 Leache & Reeder 2002 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 Family Scincidae (Skinks)
Genus Plestiodon (Blue-tailed Skinks)
 
Plestiodon anthracinus

Coal Skink

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Plestiodon fasciatus

North American Five-lined Skink

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Plestiodon inexpectatus

Southeastern Five-lined Skink

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Steiner 1986
 
Plestiodon laticeps

North American Broad-headed Skink

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Scincella (South Asian and American Ground Skinks)
 
Scincella lateralis

North American Ground Skink

Brooks 1975 Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 Family Teiidae (Greater Tejus)
Genus Aspidoscelis (Northern Whiptails)
 
Aspidoscelis sexlineatus

Six-lined Whiptail

Gentry 1956 Maslin & Secoy 1986 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008

Snakes (Serpentes)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Colubridae (Typical Snakes or Colubrids)
Genus Carphophis (North American Worm Snakes)
 
Carphophis amoenus

Eastern Worm Snake

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Cemophora (North American Scarlet Snakes)
 
Cemophora coccinea

Eastern Scarlet Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Williams 1985 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Clonophis (Ohio Valley Water Snake)
 
Clonophis kirtlandii

Ohio Valley Water Snake

Frymire & Scott 2012 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Coluber (North American Racer)
 
Coluber constrictor

North American Racer

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Thomas, Eubanks & Pecor 2000 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Diadophis (Ring-necked Snake)
 
Diadophis punctatus

Ring-necked Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Farancia (American Mud and Rainbow Snakes)
 
Farancia abacura

American Mud Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Haldea (Rough Earth Snake)
 
Haldea striatula

Rough Earth Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Heterodon (North American Hognose Snakes)
 
Heterodon platirhinos

Eastern Hognose Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Lampropeltis (King Snakes and Milk Snakes)
 
Lampropeltis calligaster

Prarie Kingsnake

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Lampropeltis elapsoides

Scarlet Kingsnake

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 [as doliata temporalis] Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 [part] [as triangulum] Markel 1990 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 [part] [as triangulum]
 
Lampropeltis getula

Eastern Kingsnake

Gentry 1956 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Lampropeltis holbrooki

Speckled Kingsnake

Gentry 1956 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Lampropeltis nigra

Eastern Black Kingsnake

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Lampropeltis rhombomaculata

Brown King Snake

Behler & King 1979 Conant & Collins 1998 Ernst & Ernst 2003 Gentry 1956 Markel 1990 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Lampropeltis triangulum

Eastern Milk Snake

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 [part] Markel 1990 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Ruane, Bryson, Pyron & Burbrink 2014 Scott & Redmond 2008 [part] Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Masticophis (North American Whip Snakes and Coachwhips)
 
Masticophis flagellum

Common Coachwhip

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wilson 1973 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Nerodia (North American Water Snakes)
 
Nerodia cyclopion

Western Green Water Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2004 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Nerodia erythrogaster

Plain-bellied Water Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2004 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Nerodia fasciata

North American Banded Water Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2004 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Schmidt 1953 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Nerodia rhombifer

Diamondback Water Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2004 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 McAllister 1985 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Nerodia sipedon

Northern Water Snake

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2004 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Lawson 1987 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Opheodrys (North American Green Snakes)
 
Opheodrys aestivus

Rough Green Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Pantherophis (North American Rat Snakes)
 
Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Grey Rat Snake

Burbrink 2001 [as spiloides] Dowling 1952 [as spiloides] Gentry 1956 [as spiloides] Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 [as spiloides] Schulz 1996 [as spiloides] Scott & Redmond 2008 [as spiloides]
 
Pantherophis guttatus

Red Corn Snake

Dowling 1952 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Schulz 1996 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Pituophis (Bullsnakes, Pine Snakes and Gopher Snakes)
 
Pituophis melanoleucus

Common Pine Snake

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Regina (Queen Snakes)
 
Regina septemvittata

Queen Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2004 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Lawson 1987 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Storeria (North American Brown Snakes)
 
Storeria dekayi

Common Brown Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Storeria occipitomaculata

North American Red-bellied Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Tantilla (American Centipede Snakes)
 
Tantilla coronata

Southeastern Centipede Snake

Cole & Hardy 1981 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Thamnophis (North American Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes)
 
Thamnophis proximus

Western Ribbon Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Thamnophis saurita

Eastern Ribbon Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Thamnophis sirtalis

Common Garter Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Virginia (Smooth Earth Snake)
 
Virginia valeriae

Smooth Earth Snake

Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Powell, Collins & Fish 1992 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 Family Viperidae (Vipers)
Genus Agkistrodon (American Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Cantils)
 
Agkistrodon contortrix

Eastern Copperhead

Behler & King 1979 Campbell & Lamar 2004 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Gloyd & Conant 1990 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
 
Agkistrodon piscivorus

Northern Cottonmouth

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Gloyd & Conant 1990 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Crotalus (Typical Rattlesnakes)
 
Crotalus horridus

Timber Rattlesnake

Campbell & Lamar 2004 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952
Genus Sistrurus (Pygmy Rattlesnakes)
 
Sistrurus miliarius

North American Pygmy Rattlesnake

Campbell & Lamar 2004 Ernst 1992 Gentry 1956 Gibbons & Dorcas 2005 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Scott & Redmond 2008 Wright & Wright 1952

Turtles (Testudines)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Chelydridae (American Snapping Turtles)
Genus Chelydra (American Snapping Turtles)
 
Chelydra serpentina

North American Snapping Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles)
 
Macrochelys temminckii

Western Alligator Snapping Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 Family Emydidae (Western Pond Turtles)
Genus Chrysemys (American Painted Turtle)
 
Chrysemys picta

American Painted Turtle

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Iverson 1992 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Glyptemys (North American Wood Turtle and Bog Turtle)
 
Glyptemys muhlenbergii

Bog Turtle

Herman & Warner 1986 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Graptemys (Map Turtles)
 
Graptemys geographica

Northern Map Turtle

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Graptemys ouachitensis

Ouachita Map Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Graptemys pseudogeographica

False Map Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Graptemys pulchra

Alabama Map Turtle

Brown 2021 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021
Genus Pseudemys (Cooter Turtles)
 
Pseudemys concinna

River Cooter

Gentry 1956 Iverson 1992 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Terrapene (American Box Turtles)
 
Terrapene carolina

Eastern Box Turtle

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Terrapene triunguis

Three-toed Box Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013
Genus Trachemys (Slider Turtles)
 
Trachemys scripta

Common Slider

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 Family Kinosternidae (American Mud and Musk Turtles)
Genus Kinosternon (American Mud Turtles)
 
Kinosternon subrubrum

Common Mud Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
Genus Sternotherus (North American Musk Turtles)
 
Sternotherus odoratus

Common Musk Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Sternotherus peltifer

Stripe-necked Musk Turtle

Behler & King 1979 Gentry 1956 Iverson 1992 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008 [as minor] Scott, Glenn & Rissler 2018
 Family Trionychidae (Softshell Turtles)
Genus Apalone (North American Softshell Turtles)
 
Apalone mutica

Smooth Softshell Turtle

Gentry 1956 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008
 
Apalone spinifera

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Gentry 1956 Hedrick, Jackson, Starnes, Bogan & Beane 2012 Niemiller, Reynolds & Miller 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Scott & Redmond 2008