Quivira's combination of sand prairie and diverse wetlands supports a unique variety of mammals.  Also, a combination of eastern, western, and southern species are represented.  For a complete checklist click here:

Checklist of Reptiles, Turtles, and Amphibians
 

Here are some of the animals you may see at Quivira.

Turtles 

Our most common turtle, the Red-eared Slider is a "basking" species, an aquatic turtle that spends sunny days in the open catching the rays, even in winter.	The Spiny Softshell Turtle has a distinct shape that earns it the common nickname "pancake turtle".
The Common Snapping Turtle can be found throughout Quivira's wetlands, but only infrequently out of water.	The Musk Turtle is a small, compact, aquatic species that can often be found away from water.  It emits a foul odor.
This is our only true terrestrial species.  Both its carapace (top shell) and plastron (bottom shell) are boldly patterned, hence its name the Ornate Box Turtle.	Similar in appearance to the much more common Red-eared Slider, the Painted Turtle has a bright red patterned plastron.

Lizards 

Our most common lizard, the Racerunner is striped species that, true to its name, runs very fast.

Fence Lizards are found near woodlands are not easy to find at Quivira.

Snakes 

Our most common snake, the Eastern Garter Snake can be told from the Plains Garter Snake only at close range.	The Plains Garter Snake has more dark markings on its face than the Eastern, and its white side stripe is located on a different set of scale rows.
This unique species is the Graham's Crayfish Snake, who gets its name from its favorite food.	If you have the good fortune to see a Prairie Kingsnake at Quivira, you will notice that it has smooth (not ridged) scales.
Our only POISONOUS snake, the Massassauga is a very small (1-2 feet) rattlesnake that is active mostly at night.	Fast is the Yellow-bellied Racer, so it is often difficult to view its beautiful color.
Our largest, and one our most common, species is the Bull Snake.  Also known as the gopher snake, it can reach six feet in length.	One of our smallest, and most gentle, species goes by the simple name of Brown Snake.  It averages only about 6-8 inches long.
Two species of water snake are common at Quivira, and both are non-poisonous.  This is the Northern Water Snake.

 Frogs 

The Bullfrog is common, especially at the Kids' Fishing Pond.	This is the Plains Leopard Frog, our most common species.
The tiny  Blanchard's Cricket Frog can be found at the edges of ponds.  Its calls are a clicking sound.	The Chorus Frog is very small, but makes up for its size with its rattling call that sounds like running your finger along the teeth of a comb.