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The giant garter snake ( Thamnophis gigas), eastern indigo snake ( Drymarchon couperi), blunt-nosed leopard lizard ( Gambelia sila) and dunes sagebrush lizard ( Sceloporus arenicolus) are all key species for Defenders of Wildlife.

Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, these species are facing a hard life in the wild. Land use change - from natural wetland, scrub or desert habitat to extractive industries or agriculture - has destroyed habitat across the country. Unfortunately, humans are encroaching the specific and connected tracts of habitat that these species need in order to survive.

Defending habitat is extraordinarily important for all of these species and we are working across the country to protect both federal and private lands that are home to these snakes and lizards. In California, we are a member of the Central Valley Joint Venture, working to protect and enhance wetland habitat for giant garter snakes and other wildlife.

Our Smart from the Start program encourages responsible renewable energy siting that will protect habitat for wildlife like the blunt-nosed leopard lizard. Defenders works to protect habitat in Florida through our place on the Florida Gopher Tortoise Technical Advisory Group; gopher tortoise burrows provide shelter for 360 other species of wildlife, like eastern indigo snakes.

Using satellite data and cloud computing, we determined that sand mines on the Texas landscape are severely damaging the dune sagebrush lizard's habitat and pushing the lizard towards extinction. We are working with companies that are voluntarily modifying their development plans, but we are also pushing for the dunes sagebrush lizard to be listed under the Endangered Species Act and we sued the Fish and Wildlife Service over its decision not to list the species.

Habitat loss and fragmentation, flood control activities, changes in agricultural and land management practices, predation from introduced species, road mortalities, water pollution and pesticide use are the main causes of the decline of these species.

The dunes sagebrush lizard is not listed.

The giant garter snake and eastern indigo snake are listed as threatened.

The blunt-nosed leopard lizard is listed as endangered.

The eastern indigo snake is a species of least concern.

The giant garter snake and dunes sagebrush lizard are listed as vulnerable.

The blunt-nosed leopard lizard is listed as endangered.

Protect wildlife habitat near your home or business. Snakes and lizards like these need the strong protections afforded to them by the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act so speak up in support of bedrock environmental laws.

Giant garter snakes can grow up to 64 inches and eastern indigo snakes, the longest native snakes in North America, can grow up to 102 inches. In contrast, blunt-nosed leopard lizards only grow to be 3.4 to 4.7 inches and dunes sagebrush lizards are small

Snakes and lizards can live for dozens of years depending on the species, but human activity severely limits their lifespans.

The eastern indigo snake survives in peninsular Florida and southeast Georgia, persists in the Florida panhandle, but in low numbers, and has been extirpated from Alabama and Mississippi.The blunt-nosed leopard lizard is found only in the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent foothills, as well as the Carrizo Plain and Cuyama Valley.
Snakes are found throughout the world except Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland and New Zealand and lizards are found everywhere except Antarctica and some islands. Biodiversity of both snakes and lizards is concentrated in the tropics, but they are found in many habitats including in the water, forests, deserts and prairies.

Population numbers are unknown, but due to shrinking habitat, populations of many species are declining.

Often observed flicking their tongues, snakes use their forked tongue to smell the air. Snakes and lizards are ectotherms, meaning they must regulate their body temperature externally by sunning themselves or retreating to cool, shaded areas. They are often uniquely camouflaged to their habitat to hide in plain sight. Snakes and lizards are more active in warmer months and many hibernate in winter. Eastern indigo snakes retreat into gopher tortoise burrows and other cavities.

Mating for these species generally occurs during the colder months or at the end of dormancy, with eggs being laid in the late spring or early summer. Giant garter snakes are one of the few species that give birth to live young (ranging from 10-46 young).

Snakes and lizards consume a variety of items including insects and other invertebrates, rodents, birds, frogs, eggs and other reptiles.

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The giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas), eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) and dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) are all key species for Defenders of Wildlife. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, these species are facing a hard life in the wild.

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THEY "HEAR" WITH THEIR JAW.

Snakes don't have external ears to hear sound waves in the air. Instead, bones in their lower jaw pick up vibrations in the ground or water. The vibes trigger signals in the snakes' brains, which are received as messages. "Juicy mouse coming closer!"

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Snakes are masters of disguise, skilled hunters, and champion eaters. Here are eight awesome things you may not have known about these carnivorous reptiles.

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What is a reptile and how to they live? Learn about these cold blooded animals including snakes, lizards, and alligators.

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Snake Defenses!!!!!

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Intro to snakes!

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A quick video on snakes.

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This video reveals a lot of interesting facts about snakes.
Snake Facts
Snakes are reptiles and can be easily found across the world.
Fast facts: -

Snakes are carnivores (meat eater) reptiles.

Snake's scales are made up of Keratin.

The biggest snake is reticulated python. It can grow up to 32 feet.

The thread snake is the smallest snake.

They do not have eyelids.

These reptiles cannot bite or chew their food so they have to swallow it whole at once.

They can eat prey bigger than their head because of their flexible jaws.

They have internal ears not external ones.

Vine snakes have binocular vision.

They can be easily found on any continent except Antarctica.

Snakes, used in performances, respond to the movement not the sound.

The Hognose, Grass snake and the Spitting Cobra will fake death when threatened. They flip into their backs, open their mouths and let their tongue flop out.

There are more than 2800 species of snakes can be found all over the world.

Generally, they have a very special skin type, smooth but dry.

They shed their skin a number of times in a year.

They have good smelling power but they use their tongue for that.

Pythons kill their prey by wrapping around it and suffocating.

Some sea snakes can breathe through their skin which allows them to stay underwater for a longer time.

Anacondas are large but non-venomous snakes, mostly found in South America. They can reach up to 16 feet. They are thickest.

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This video reveals a lot of interesting facts about snakes. Snake Facts Snakes are reptiles and can be easily found across the world. Fast facts: - Snakes are carnivores (meat eater) reptiles. Snake's scales are made up of Keratin. The biggest snake is reticulated python. It can grow up to 32 feet.

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Check out this board full of snake information

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Check out this board full of snake information

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