Long slender body with only 2 front limbs

Ambystoma salamanders are commonly called "mole salamanders". These chunky bodied salamanders live in moist areas under leaves, logs and similar objects.

Newts are not as slippery as most salamanders. The coastal grooves on the side are indistinct unlike mole salamanders and most other species. The peninsula newt is found in Central Florida. It has a dark olive the black dorsum and a yellowish venter with black specks. The species occurs in most any body of standing water.

The woodland salamader (Plethodon) can be distinguished from the dusky salamanders by absence of the line from the eye to the angle of the jaw and that all 4 limbs are about equal in size. The slimy salamander occurs in Central Florida. It is sometimes called the sticky salamander because of the body secretion that is like glue.

This is the only spadefoot east of the Mississippi River. Spadefoots have a single, sharp-edged 'spade' on each hind foot for digging in the ground. Skin smooth, elliptical pupils of eyes and no parotoid glands are characteristic.

Toads have warty, dry skin and 2 tubercles under the hind foot. This toad has pronounced knobs between the eyes.

Treefrog have large discs on the toes and large webs. Four species are common in Central Florida: green treefrog (H. cinerea), barking treefrog (H. gratiosa), pine woods treefrog (H. femoralis), and the squirrel treefrog (H. squirella). The green treefrog has a whitish line (sometimes absent) along the side of the green body.

This "bullfrog" occurs in Central Florida. Its voice is a piglike grunt. The 4th toe is almost webbed to its tip. The head is narrow and pointed unlike its relative, the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

Unlike the crocodile, the alligator has a broad and rounded snout. Both the alligator and crocodile occur in Florida. The latter is found in the extreme southernmost counties.

The large basking turtles of freshwater habitats of the southeast are commonly called cooters, sliders, chicken turtles, and red-bellied turtles. All except the chicken turtle belong to the genus Chrysemys. The ornate pattern of the shell and head stripes are identifying marks. Common in Florida are the Florida red-bellied turtle, peninsula cooter and florida chicken turtle.

Box turtles are the "dry land" turtles. A broad hinge across the plastron provides anterior and posterior movable lobes. Box turtles are strictly N. American. The Florida box turtle has 2 yellow stripes on the head. The species occurs in the peninsula and lower keys.

Box turtles are the "dry land" turtles. A broad hinge across the plastron provides anterior and posterior movable lobes. Box turtles are strictly N. American. The Florida box turtle has 2 yellow stripes on the head. The species occurs in the peninsula and lower keys.

this ugly, ill tempered turtle of fresh water has a large head, small plastron and a long tail which is saw toothed along the dorsal side.

This common lizard throughout the eastern US has dark wavy lines across the back. Underside surface is blue to black. Females are grayish and males are brown.

Another Sceloporus in central and south Florida is the less common Florida scrub lizard. (Sceloporus woodi). This spiny lizard has a dark brown stripe along the sides.

Skinks are shiny lizards with smooth skins. They occur in moist areas. The ground skink (Scincella lateral) is small, brownish and has a dark dorsolateral stripe. Belly light colored.

The Southeastern 5-lined skink (Eumeces inexpectatus) is much larger has 5 stripes and a blue tail.

Glass lizards are shiny legless and snakelike. A deep groove runs along each side of the body. Unlike snakes, glass lizards have moveable eyelids and external ear openings. 2 other species occur in Florida.

Diamond shaped blotches bordered with thin bands of black and white. Tail ends in well developed rattle.

Although deadly to man, they will not bother humans unless harassed. These snakes consume rats and mice which are pests to man.

This shiny snake has a complete ring around its body. Red and yellow rings touch. End of nose is black. Venomous, not poisonous like the original card says.

This slender snake is plain black both above and below. Some may be white on the head.

Chin and throat may be rusty to blood red. The smooth, glossy black scales will help identify this snake. The indigo snake is often very gentle.

Softshell turtles are aquatic and ill tempered. Florida softshell lives in lakes where other softshells primarily live in rivers. Florida softshell has numerous small bumps on the carapace.

Softshell turtles are aquatic and ill tempered. Florida softshell lives in lakes where other softshells primarily live in rivers. Florida softshell has numerous small bumps on the carapace.

This species and relatives are the only tortoises native to the US. The carapace is high and round and the legs are stumpy. Gopher tortoises lack the hinge on the plastron as occurs in box turtles. This species is endangered.

In Florida, the adult female loggerheads begin nesting along moist coastal beaches from April to August. All appendages are modified paddlelike flippers for moving in the open ocean. There are five costal scutes on each side of the carapace.

In Florida, the adult female loggerheads begin nesting along moist coastal beaches from April to August. All appendages are modified paddlelike flippers for moving in the open ocean. There are five costal scutes on each side of the carapace.

Sea turtles are adapted for the aquatic life rather than living on land. Their limbs are modified as flippers. All species are endangered: green, hawksbill, loggerhead, ridley, and leatherback.

part of suborder: cryptodira

This non-native species was introduced into Florida and is replacing the native green anole (Anolis carolinensis)