Desert Cali kingsnake with it's fork tongue

Reptiles

Reptiles are cold-blooded, usually egg-laying vertebrates (animals with backbones). Their skin is covered with scales or plates. Unlike mammal young, which are dependent upon their mothers for some time after birth, most reptiles are independent from day one.

There are more than 10,000 known reptile species. Below is the list of reptiles on regular view at the Zoo.

Large tortoise facing forward with its neck outstretched toward the right side of the screen

Aldabra Tortoise

This tortoise is one of the world’s longest living animals with a lifespan of 150+ years.
Male Alligator Reggie in the sun.

American Alligator

Early in the day, American alligators often bask on the shoreline to raise their body temperature.
Armenian Viper green and black in color with purple flowers in the background.

Armenian Viper

This venomous snake inhabits rocky areas habitats in the Middle East.
a snake with light brown and yellowish scales with its head resting atop its body

Baja Ratsnake

The secretive, nocturnal ratsnake is nonvenomous and lives in dry, rocky habitats.
A large lizard with a green body and orange head is laying on a branch with its mouth open in what appears to be a smile

Caiman Lizard

A red-orange head helps this South American lizard stand out.
A snake with brown and cream colored bands

California Kingsnake

Why are these snakes kings? These non-venomous snakes eat their competition for lunch.
A cape cobra golden in color exploring its habitat.

Cape Cobra

The highly venomous Cape cobra is famous for its threat display.
a close up of a Chuckwalla. Sitting on a rock calico in color.

Chuckwalla

These desert dwellers can inflate their bodies by swallowing air.
A small caiman with its mouth open on the bank of a pond

Dwarf Caiman

This ambush hunter is the smallest member of the alligator family.
Close up of a Gaboon viper with a leaf litter background.

Gaboon Viper

The Gaboon viper has the longest fangs of any venomous snake.
close up of a large lizard with black and tan beaded skin against a white background

Gila Monster

This lizard’s genus name (Heloderma) comes from Greek, meaning “studded skin.”
a snake with brown spots and yellowish skin on a forested floor

Gopher Snake

This nonvenomous snake’s diet includes moles, rats, mice, and, of course, gophers.
close up of a green snake, its head peering over its coiled body

Green Mamba

Mambas are primarily solitary creatures and seldom come into contact with humans.
A large snake with green and yellow skin flicks its tongue as it slithers through greenery

Green Tree Python

This snake has many adaptations that make it a successful tree dweller.
An crocodilian with a long slender toothy snout is half submerged underwater with his head lifted above the surface

Indian Gharial

The gharial is one of the most aquatic crocodilian species.
Large lizard with its forked tongue out lays on a rock with greenery in the background

Komodo Dragon

The world’s largest lizard has a reputation for having a deadly bite.
A thick-bodied lizard with bumpy back and beige skin and its forked tongue smelling the air

Mexican Beaded Lizard

This lizard shares many characteristics with its close relative, the more famous Gila monster.
The male painted river terrapin with a red strip down the middle of his head. Under a log and submerged in water.

Painted Terrapin

Painted terrapins are medium to large-sized turtles native to Asia.
a close up of the male Perentie monitor lizard looking at camera.

Perentie

Australia’s largest lizard, the perentie is related to the Komodo dragon.
A close up of a red diamondback rattlesnake. tongue flicking

Rattlesnakes

A rattlesnake’s rattle is a warning to predators to leave these snakes alone.
A small snake with a gray and orange striped body basking on a granite rock.

Rosy Boa

The rosy boa is a type of constrictor native to SoCal deserts and beyond.
Rough Scaled Python perched on a branch

Rough-Scaled Python

This snake’s name comes from its keeled scales, which gives its body a rough texture.
A close up of a temple viper's head showing green scales with black patterns and a yellow eye

Temple Viper

This viper has a prehensile tail, which makes it perfectly suited for a life in the trees.
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