Amphibians & Reptiles
Several amphibian and reptile species are protected under the Endangered Species Act 
and therefore require the National Park Service to evaluate the conditions of these populations. (San Francisco garter snake [federally endangered], red-legged frog [federally threatened], Western pond turtle [ California species of concern], and coast horned lizard [ California species of concern]) Due to their habitat and physiology, herpetofauna are particularly sensitive to environmental degradation, such as air and water pollution.The number of species and populations of amphibians are declining
worldwide. Because they are mid-level predators, population trends in these taxa may indicate trends in populations of animals at both higher and lower trophic levels.
The Six Most Important Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Targets for SFAN Parks:
- Pond-breeding amphibians
- San Francisco garter snake
- Stream-inhabiting amphibians and reptiles
- Terrestrial amphibians and reptiles
- Turtles
- Coast horned lizards
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Reports and Resources
- Amphibian & Reptile Photo Gallery
- Point Reyes Amphibian & Reptile Species List
- Pinnacles Amphibian & Reptile Species List
Contact Information
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Monitoring Questions
Pond-breeding amphibians
- How are species distribution and diversity of pond-breeding amphibians changing over time at GOGA and PORE?
- How is abundance (as indicated by an index of egg masses and young-of-the-year) of pond-breeding California red-legged frog changing over time at PINN?
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San Francisco garter snake
- How is the San Francisco garter snake population at Mori Point changing over time?
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Stream-inhabiting amphibians and reptiles
- How are the distribution and diversity of aquatic salamanders changing over time at GOGA and PORE?
- How are the distribution and diversity of stream-inhabiting herpetofauna changing over time at PINN?
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Terrestrial amphibians and reptiles
- How are the distribution, abundance, and diversity of selected terrestrial amphibians and reptiles changing over time at GOGA, PINN, and PORE?
- Are common terrestrial amphibians and reptiles continuing to be detectable at EUON and JOMU?
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Western pond turtle
- How are the abundance, distribution, and diversity of turtles (with a focus on Western pond turtle populations, but including observations of all turtles) changing over time at GOGA and PORE?
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Coast horned lizard
- How are distribution and abundance of coast horned lizard, harvester ant, and the non-native Argentine ant changing over time at PINN?
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