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Reptiles
Contrary to their image as primitive relics of an ancient era, reptiles are still extremely diverse and successful today. Being cold-blooded animals, these scaly-skinned vertebrates require far less food than mammals and birds, and are thus often the dominant animal group in relatively inhospitable habitats such as deserts. Most reptiles reproduce by laying leathery eggs, but a significant number of lizards and snakes give birth to live young. Of the c. 1,670 reptile species that have been evaluated on the IUCN Red List, almost 1 in 3 are threatened with extinction.
Explore ARKive for videos and images of endangered reptiles, and learn about reptile conservation, biology and more in our species fact-files.
- Top 50 Species
- Sort all by common name
- Sort all by scientific name
Species 1 - 36 of 36
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Gallotia auaritae (La Palma giant lizard)
The La Palma giant lizard (Gallotia auaritae) belongs to the genus Gallotia, a distinctive group of lizards which occurs only on the Canary... More 1 Image 0 videos -
Gallotia bravoana (La Gomera giant lizard)
Historically known only from partially fossilised bones, the fascinating La Gomera giant lizard (Gallotia bravoana) was thought to be... More 3 Images 0 videos -
Gallotia intermedia (Tenerife speckled lizard)
An extremely rare species, the Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia) was only discovered in 1996. It belongs to the genus Gallotia... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Gallotia simonyi (Hierro giant lizard)
The Hierro giant lizard is a stocky reptile with a broad head and pronounced jowls (flesh under the lower jaw). It is dark grey to brown in... More 2 Images 0 videos -
Gallotia stehlini (Gran Canaria giant lizard)
As its name suggests, the Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) is a large species of lizard endemic to the Canary Island of Gran... More 3 Images 0 videos -
Gambelia sila (Blunt-nosed leopard lizard)
The endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) is a relatively large lizard with a long, rounded body and well developed limbs... More 10 Images 0 videos -
Gavialis gangeticus (Gharial)
The gharial is one of the largest crocodilians (a group that also includes crocodiles, alligators and caimans) with the narrowest snout of... More 34 Images 8 Videos -
Geckoella deccanensis (Gunther's Indian gecko)
Information on Gunther's Indian gecko (Geckoella deccanensis) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Geckoella triedrus (Spotted bowfinger gecko)
Information on the spotted bowfinger gecko (Geckoella triedrus) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Geckoella yakhuna (Northern Sri Lanka gecko)
Information on the northern Sri Lanka gecko (Geckoella yakhuna) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos -
Geochelone chilensis (Chaco tortoise)
This tortoise’s common name is taken from the Chaco regions of Argentina and Paraguay in which it lives, but the Latin name chilensis is... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Geochelone denticulata (South American yellow-footed tortoise)
The largest tortoise on the mainland of South America, this tortoise is named after the large yellow or orange scales that cover the front... More 8 Images 0 videos -
Geochelone gigantea (Aldabra giant tortoise)
The Aldabra giant tortoise is indeed a giant, with individuals reaching over one metre in length. The thick, domed carapace is dark grey to... More 32 Images 11 Videos -
Geochelone platynota (Burmese starred tortoise)
Of all tortoises characterised by the highly distinctive ‘star’ or ‘radiating’ patterns on their carapace, the Burmese star tortoise is... More 7 Images 0 videos -
Geochelone radiata (Radiated tortoise)
The radiated tortoise of Madagascar is one of the most attractive of all the tortoises. The high-domed, dark carapace is marked by brilliant... More 22 Images 4 Videos -
Geochelone spp. (Galapagos giant tortoise)
This enormous giant tortoise was once so numerous that Spanish explorers of this region named the archipelago after one of its more... More 60 Images 23 Videos -
Geochelone sulcata (African spurred tortoise)
The African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) is the largest tortoise of the African mainland, and is surpassed in size only by the... More 17 Images 0 videos -
Geoclemys hamiltonii (Black pond turtle)
With its polka dot skin and prominently patterned shell, the black pond turtle has an incredibly striking appearance. It is instantly... More 5 Images 0 videos -
Geoemyda spengleri (Black-breasted leaf turtle)
This small turtle is easily recognised by its flattened carapace that is distinctively serrated at the front and back, and by the... More 10 Images 0 videos -
Gerrhonotus parvus (Gerrhonotus)
Information on Gerrhonotus parvus is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 2 Images 0 videos -
Glyptemys insculpta (Wood turtle)
The wood turtle probably derives both its Latin and common names from the deep concentric growth rings and grooves known as ‘annuli’ that... More 25 Images 0 videos -
Glyptemys muhlenbergii (Bog turtle)
Easily identifiable by the bright yellow, orange or red blotch on each side of the head, the bog turtle is a very small turtle with a light... More 12 Images 0 videos -
Goniurosaurus kuroiwae (Kuroiwa's ground gecko)
Information on the Kuroiwa's ground gecko is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 10 Images 0 videos -
Gopherus agassizii (Desert tortoise)
This medium-sized tortoise inhabits the deserts of the western USA. The carapace varies in colour from light brown to dark with orange or... More 26 Images 6 Videos -
Gopherus berlandieri (Berlandier’s tortoise)
A North American species, Berlandier's tortoise has a somewhat oblong, rather flat-topped carapace (upper shell) with a rough... More 3 Images 0 videos -
Gopherus flavomarginatus (Yellow-bordered tortoise)
Information on the yellow-bordered tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos -
Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise)
The gopher tortoise has a light to dark brown, elongate upper shell and dull yellow plastron. The skin is greyish brown and the head is... More 8 Images 8 Videos -
Graptemys barbouri (Barbour's map turtle)
Information on Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys caglei (Cagle’s map turtle)
Map turtles are named for the distinctive fine lines covering their skin and upper shell (carapace), which somewhat resemble a road or... More 6 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys ernsti (Escambia map turtle)
Information on the Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys flavimaculata (Yellow-blotched map turtle)
The yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) is sometimes referred to as the yellow-blotched sawback turtle due to bizarre... More 10 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys gibbonsi (Pascagoula map turtle)
Information on the Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys nigrinoda (Black-knobbed map turtle)
Information on the black-knobbed map turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda) is currently being researched and written and will appear here... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys oculifera (Ringed map turtle)
The characteristically narrow-headed ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera) is one of the most poorly known turtles in the United States... More 5 Images 0 videos -
Graptemys pearlensis (Pearl River map turtle)
Information on the Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos -
Graptemys versa (Texas map turtle)
Information on the Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos
Species 1 - 36 of 36
More 'Top 50' lists: Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates - terrestrial and freshwater, Invertebrates - marine, Plants and algae, Fungi (including lichens)
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