California State and Federally Protected Species

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) does not publish a list of State and/or Federally protected reptiles and amphibians. Instead, the CDFW lists only the species which may be taken. Any endemic California amphibian and reptile species that are not listed in Sections 5.05 or 5.60 of the California Freshwater Sportfishing Regulations, are protected by State Law and/or Federal Law under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) (1973).

In this section, the term “take” or “taken” means hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill.

The possession of a valid California Sportfishing License or a state issued Scientific Collection Permit is required for the take or handling of any California amphibian or reptile. Commercial take or collecting is prohibited without proper permits.

Many of the species on the “take list” are subject to special closures and restrictions. For a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of California law, please visit California Sportfishing Regulations 2021-2022.

This information is not legal advice and may not be currently accurate as state fish and game laws can change at any time. It is the responsibility of the individual to understand and follow the laws of each state, which includes the procurement of the proper permits required in each state to conduct any and all field herping activities.

Below is, to the best of our knowledge, a list of endemic California species that are not included on the “take list”, and therefore are protected by law.

  • Amphibians
    • Ambystoma californiense  (California Tiger Salamander)
    • Ambystoma macrodactylum  (Long-toed Salamander)
    • Aneides flavipunctatus niger  (Santa Cruz Black Salamander; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations )
    • Batrachoseps sp.  (All species of Slender Salamanders with the exception of B. m. major and B. attenuatus)
    • Dicamptodon ensatus  (California Giant Salamander)
    • Hydromantes sp.  (All species of Web-toed Salamanders)
    • Plethodon asupak  (Scott Bar Salamander)
    • Plethodon elongatus  (Del Norte Salamander)
    • Plethodon stormi  (Siskiyou Mountains Salamander)
    • Rhyacotriton variegatus  (Southern Torrent Salamander)
    • Taricha rivularis  (Red-bellied Newt)
    • Taricha sierrae  (Sierra Newt)
    • Taricha torosa  (California Newt)
    • Anaxyrus californicus  (Arroyo Toad)
    • Ascaphus truei  (Coastal Tailed Frog)
    • Insilius alvarius  (Sonoran Desert Toad)
    • Lithobates pipiens  (Northern Leopard Frog)
    • Lithobates yavapaiensis  (Lowland Leopard Frog)
    • Rana aurora  ( Northern Red-legged Frog)
    • Rana boylii  (Foothill Yellow-legged Frog)
    • Rana cascadae  (Cascades Frog)
    • Rana draytonii  (California Red-legged Frog)
    • Rana luteiventris  (Columbia Spotted Frog)
    • Rana muscosa  (Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog)
    • Rana pretiosa  (Oregon Spotted Frog)
    • Rana sierrae  (Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog)
    • Scaphiopus couchii  (Couch’s Spadefoot)
    • Spea hammondi  (Western Spadefoot)
  • Lizards
    • Anniella sp. (All species of North American Legless Lizards)
    • Aspidoscelis hyperythra beldingi  (Belding’s Orange-throated Whiptail)
    • Coleonyx switaki  (Peninsula Banded Gecko)
    • Coleonyx variegatus abbotti  (San Diego Banded Gecko; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Elgaria panamintina  (Panamint Alligator Lizard)
    • Gambelia copeii  (Cope’s Leopard Lizard)
    • Gambelia sila  (Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard)
    • Heloderma suspectum  (Gila Monster)
    • Phrynosoma blainvillii  (Blainville’s Horned Lizard)
    • Phrynosoma mcallii  (Flat-tailed Horned Lizard)
    • Phyllodactylus nocticolus  (Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko)
    • Plestiodon skiltonianus interparietalis  (Coronado Skink)
    • Sceloporus uniformis  (Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard)
    • Uma inornata  (Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard)
    • Uma notata  (Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard)
    • Uma scoparia  (Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard)
    • Urosaurus microscutatus  (Small-scaled Lizard)
    • Xantusia gracilis  (Sandstone Night Lizard)
    • Xantusia henshawi  (Granite Night Lizard)
    • Xantusia riversiana  (Island Night Lizard)
    • Xantusia sierrae  (Sierra Night Lizard; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Xantusia vigilis  (Desert Night Lizard; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Xantusia wigginsi  (Wiggins’ Night Lizard)
  • Snakes
    • Arizona elegans occidentalis  (California Glossy Snake; Regional closures – refer to CDFW Regulations)
    • Bogertophis rosaliae  (Baja California Ratsnake)
    • Charina bottae  (Northern Rubber Boa; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Charina umbratica  (Southern Rubber Boa)
    • Coluber (Masticophis) flagellum ruddocki  (San Joaquin Coachwhip; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Coluber (Masticophis) lateralis euryxanthus  (Alameda Striped Racer; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Crotalus ruber  (Red Diamond Rattlesnake)
    • Diadophis punctatus regalis  (Regal Ring-necked Snake; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Lampropeltis zonata  (California Mountain Kingsnake; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Salvadora hexalepis virgultea  (Coast Patch-nosed Snake; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
    • Sonora semiannulata  (Sonoran Ground Snake)
    • Thamnophis gigas  (Giant Gartersnake)
    • Thamnophis hammondi  (Two-striped Gartersnake)
    • Thamnophis sirtalis  (Common Gartersnake; Regional closures – refer to CDFW regulations)
  • Turtles
    • Caretta caretta  (Loggerhead Sea Turtle)
    • Chelonia mydas  (Green Sea Turtle)
    • Eretmochelys imbricata bissa  (Pacific hawksbill sea turtle)
    • Dermochelys coriacea  (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
    • Lepidochelys olivacea  (Olive Ridley Sea Turtle)
    • Actinemys marmorata  (Northwestern Pond Turtle)
    • Actinemys pallida  (Southwestern Pond Turtle)
    • Gopherus agassizii  (Desert Tortoise)
    • Kinosternon s. sonoriense  (Desert Mud Turtle)