3.8 Reptiles
high-quality Longleaf Pine forests—those managed with fre to maintain an open and diverse understory.
Many species of reptiles remain common in North Carolina, and appear to be able to tol- erate some levels of urbanization. Examples of urban-tolerant species include the Green Anole and Eastern Rat Snake. Some species, such as Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Southern Hognose Snake, are generally intolerant of urbanization and the conver- sion of natural habitat to other uses. Still other species of reptiles, however, have been little studied because of their rarity or secre- tive nature. Some examples of understudied
Northern Pine Snake (Melissa McGaw, NCWRC)
species include Mimic Glass Lizard, Coal Skink, and Eastern Coral Snake. It is important to continue eforts to survey the state for reptiles, and conduct research and monitoring to increase our knowledge of the status of reptiles in North Carolina, for both common and uncommon species. A list of reptile SGCN is provided in Table 3.22 and the Taxa Team evaluation results can be found in Appendix G. Habitat associations for these species can be found in Appendix H. Conservation recommendations for the associated habitats have been incorporated into the natural community descriptions in Chapter 4. Te following paragraphs provide infor- mation about a few of the reptile species identifed by the Taxa Team as priority species for research or management, and for which work that has been conducted to implement conservation and management recommendations. 3.8.1.1 Lizards Eleven species of native lizards occur in North Carolina, with the highest diversity in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain regions. Lizards, in general, have not been the focus of inten- sive survey, monitoring, or research in North Carolina. Some species appear to be quite common (e.g., Green Anole, Five-lined Skink), while others are very difcult to detect, or occur in apparently low numbers (e.g., Slender Glass Lizard, Mimic Glass Lizard). New locality records for the Slender Glass Lizard have recently been detected, but few surveys specifcally aimed at lizards have been conducted.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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