Reptiles inQuebec are classified into two orders:Testudines — the turtles — andSquamata — the snakes. There are eleven species of turtles classified in fivefamilies, including twoexotic species. The snake species, numbering nine, are classified in four families, and include one species whose presence remains to be confirmed.
| Photo | Names (common /scientific) | IUCN Status | Notes | Distribution map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FamilyChelydridae | ||||
 | Common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina | LC | The AARQ reports observations inAbitibi-Témiscamingue, aroundLac Saint-Jean, and in theBas-Saint-Laurent. Common and widespread in Quebec.[1] However,COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern.[2] |  |
| FamilyKinosternidae | ||||
 | Common musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus | LC | This species is designated as threatened in Quebec and is found only in theOutaouais, along theOttawa River, betweenPortage-du-Fort and the locality of Quyon, as well as betweenGatineau andPlaisance National Park.[3] The first record of the species in the province dates from 1989.[4] COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern.[5] |  |
| FamilyEmydidae | ||||
.jpg) | Painted turtle Chrysemys picta | LC | Common and widespread in Quebec.[1] However, COSEWIC considers the status of the subspeciesC. p. picta of special concern.[6] The painted turtle is the only reptile resistant to freezing.[7][8] |  |
 | Northern map turtle Graptemys geographica | LC | This species is designated as vulnerable in Quebec.[3] COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern.[9] |  |
_(17812011862).jpg) | Blanding's turtle Emydoidea blandingii | EN | This species is designated as threatened in Quebec.[3] COSEWIC considers this species endangered.[10] |  |
.jpg) | Wood turtle Glyptemys insculpta | EN | This species is designated as vulnerable in Quebec.[3] COSEWIC considers this species threatened.[11] |  |
 | Spotted turtle Clemmys guttata | EN | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.[3] COSEWIC considers this species endangered.[12] |  |
 | Red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegans | LC | Exotic species. It has not been proven to have established permanently in Quebec, although there are numerous observations in nature from individuals released fromcaptivity.[8] |  |
 | Common box turtle Terrapene carolina | VU | Exotic species that is not established in Quebec. A few individuals, probably released from captivity, have been observed in the wild.[13] |  |
| FamilyTrionychidae | ||||
.jpg) | Eastern spiny softshell Apalone spinifera | LC | This species is designated as threatened in Quebec.[3] The only known population in the province is found in Lake Champlain and some of its tributaries.[14] COSEWIC considers this species endangered.[15] |  |
| FamilyDermochelyidae | ||||
 | Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea | VU | This species is designated as threatened in Quebec.[3] COSEWIC considers the Atlantic population of this species endangered.[16] Its presence in Quebec is limited to a few observations in theGulf of Saint Lawrence.[8] |  |
| Photo | Names (common /scientific) | IUCN Status | Notes | Distribution map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FamilyNatricidae | ||||
 | Common garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis | LC | The most common, widespread, and northernmost snake in Quebec.[1][8] |  |
 | Eastern ribbon snake Thamnophis sauritus | LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.[3] Rare, the few observations come from southernOutaouais.[1] The first record in Quebec was reported in 2003.[17] |  |
 | Northern water snake Nerodia sipedon | LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. The majority of observations come from theOutaouais.[1] |  |
.jpg) | Northern red-bellied snake Storeria occipitomaculata | LC | Common and widespread in Quebec.[1] |  |
 | De Kay's brown snake Storeria dekayi | LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.[3] Rare species. Observations come from the greaterMontreal region.[1] |  |
| FamilyColubridae | ||||
 | Smooth green snake Opheodrys vernalis | LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.[3] |  |
_(14521230074).jpg) | Eastern milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum | LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.[3] COSEWIC considers the status of this species of special concern.[18] |  |
| FamilyDipsadidae | ||||
.jpg) | Northern ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus | LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.[3] |  |
| FamilyViperidae | ||||
 | Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus | LC | Borderline species. Unconfirmed observations of this species come from around lakesChamplain andMemphremagog as well as inMontérégie near the border.[13] It is probable that this rattlesnake once occupied the province,[19] but it is unlikely that it can be confirmed today given that it has beenextirpated from several regions in the north of itsrange.[20][21] |  |
Atlas of amphibians and reptiles of Quebec
This article was translated fromListe des reptiles au Québec.
