Compared to the southwestern U.S., the Pacific Northwest region has only a modest diversity of reptile species. Snakes, lizards, and turtles are relatively scarce in Washington and Oregon. Reptiles like lots of warm sunshine and they are well-adapted to arid landscapes. So it’s no surprise that most of the northwest’s reptiles can be found east of the Cascades, where the weather is sunnier and drier. There are several reptile species that reach their northern range limits in southeast Oregon. This area is part of the…
