Reptiles: Species and Common Characteristics

Anole

Anoles (Polychrotidae) are a group of small lizards that are common in the southeastern United States and throughout the islands of the Caribbean.

Chameleon

Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae) have unique eyes. Their scale-covered eyelids are cone-shaped and have a small, round opening through which they see. They can move their eyes independently of one another and are able to focus on two different objects simultaneously.

Eyelash Viper

The eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) is a venomous snake that inhabits the low altitude tropical forests of Central and South America. The eyelash viper is a nocturnal, tree-dwelling snake that feeds primarily on small birds, rodents, lizards and amphibians.

Galapagos Land Iguana

The Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) is a large lizard reaching lengths in excess of 48in. The Galapagos land iguana is dark brown to yellow-orange in color and has large pointed scales that run along its neck and down its back. Its head is blunt in shape and it has a long tail, substantial claws, and a heavy body.

Turtle

Turtles (Testudines) are a unique group of reptiles that first appeared about 200 million years ago during the late Triassic. Since that time, turtles have changed little and it is quite possible that modern turtles closely resemble those that roamed the Earth during the time of the dinosaurs.

Giant Ground Gecko

The giant ground gecko (Chondrodactylus angulifer) inhabits the Kalahari Desert in South Africa.

American Alligator

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is one of only two living species of alligators (the other being the Chinese alligator). The American alligator is native to the Southeastern United States.

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes native to North and South America. Rattlesnakes are subdivided into two genera, the Crotalus and the Sistrurus. Rattlesnakes are so named for the rattle in their tail that is shaken to discourage intruders when the snake is threatened.

Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons are carnivores and scavengers. They are the top carnivores in their ecosystems. Komodo dragons occasionally capture live prey by hiding in ambush and then charging their victims, although their primary food source is carrion.

Marine Iguana

Marine iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. They are unique among iguanas because they feed on marine algae that they gather while foraging in the cold waters surrounding the Galapagos.

Green Turtle

Green sea turtles are pelagic turtles and are distributed throughout the tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas around the world. They are native to the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Frilled Leaf-Tail Gecko

Leaf-tail geckos like this one are a genus of geckos endemic to the forests of Madagascar and its nearby islands. Leaf-tail geckos grow to about 6 inches in length. Their tail is flattened and shaped like a leaf (and is the inspiration for the species' common name).

Leaf-tail geckos are nocturnal reptiles and have large eyes that are well suited for foraging in the dark. Leaf-tale geckos are oviparous, which means they reproduce by laying eggs. Each year at the end of the rainy season, females lay a clutch of two eggs on the ground amongst dead leaves and litter.