Herps
Crotalus willardi, ridge-nosed rattlesnake
The ridge-nosed rattlesnake is a small montane rattlesnake, which has 3 subspecies in our region. Obscurus has a very small range living in the Sierra San Luis, Animas and Peloncillo Mountains. Silus lives in the southern Sky Islands and parts of the Sierra Madre. Willardi occurs in the Sky Islands of northern Sonora and southern Arizona.
Rio Sonoyta Mud Turtle
The Sonoyta mud turtle, Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale, is endemic to a small area in south- western Arizona and northwestern Sonora. The only U.S. population, at Quitobaquito, declined from several hundred in the 1950s to fewer than 100 in the 1980s (Arizona Game and Fish Department 2005). A decline in 1989-90 was attributed to drought and high temperatures.
Terrapene nelsoni, spotted box turtle
This species is possibly the least know of all the box turtles. It is endemic to northwest Mexico.
Terrapene nelsoni seems to only be active in Sonora during the wettest part of the monsoon season, primarily the later part of July through early Sept. See more photo of these species in this Terrapene nelsoni gallery.
Terrapene nelsoni, spotted box turtle
Most of these photos are from the Rio Aros region and a few are from near Nacori Chico. These represent the northernmost records for the species so far. Please contact us for permission before using these photos.
Craugastor tarahumaraensis
The Tarahumara frog is endemic to Mexico. Its known habitat is moist, montane sub-tropical to tropical forest.