Reptiles

Aldabra Tortoise

This tortoise is one of the world’s longest living animals with a lifespan of 150+ years.

American Alligator

Early in the day, American alligators often bask on the shoreline to raise their body temperature.

Arizona Mountain Kingsnake

This colorful banded snake is native to the southwestern United States.

Armenian Viper

This venomous snake inhabits rocky areas habitats in the Middle East.

Baja Ratsnake

The secretive, nocturnal ratsnake is nonvenomous and lives in dry, rocky habitats.

Boyd’s Forest Dragon

This Australian tree-dwelling lizard is a master at camouflage.

Butaan (Gray’s Monitor)

Until its rediscovery in the 1980s, this monitor lizard species was believed to be extinct.

Caiman Lizard

A red-orange head helps this South American lizard stand out.

California Desert Tortoise

California’s official state reptile is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.

California Kingsnake

Why are these snakes kings? These non-venomous snakes eat their competition for lunch.

Cape Cobra

The highly venomous Cape cobra is famous for its threat display.

Dwarf Caiman

This ambush hunter is the smallest member of the alligator family.

European Long-nosed Viper

This viper’s most distinctive trait is a single “horn” on its nose.

Fiji Island Banded Iguana

The Fiji Island iguana is an arboreal lizard distinguished by its vivid emerald coloring.

Fly River Turtle

Fly River turtles use their disk-shaped snouts for snorkeling.

Gaboon Viper

The Gaboon viper has the longest fangs of any venomous snake.

Gila Monster

This lizard’s genus name (Heloderma) comes from Greek, meaning “studded skin.”

Gopher Snake

This nonvenomous snake’s diet includes moles, rats, mice, and, of course, gophers.

Green Mamba

Mambas are primarily solitary creatures and seldom come into contact with humans.

Green Tree Python

This snake has many adaptations that make it a successful tree dweller.

Grey-banded Kingsnake

This nonvenomous snake has a gray body with narrow orange-red bands.

Indian Gharial

The gharial is one of the most aquatic crocodilian species.

Komodo Dragon

The world’s largest lizard has a reputation for having a deadly bite.

Madagascar Giant Day Gecko

These living jewels are bright emerald-green with scattered red lines and spots.

Madagascar Radiated Tortoise

The spectacularly patterned radiated tortoise is critically endangered.

Mangrove Pit Viper

The mangrove viper is hot tempered and quick to strike.

Mangshan Pit Viper

This stunning emerald green snake is nearly extinct in the wild.

Merten’s Water Monitor

This large lizard dives from branches or rocks to hunt for crabs and fish.

Mexican Beaded Lizard

This lizard shares many characteristics with its close relative, the more famous Gila monster.

Painted Terrapin

Painted terrapins are medium to large-sized turtles native to Asia.

Rattlesnakes

A rattlesnake’s rattle is a warning to predators to leave these snakes alone.

Rosy Boa

The rosy boa is a type of constrictor native to SoCal deserts and beyond.

Rough-Scaled Python

This snake’s name comes from its keeled scales, which gives its body a rough texture.

Saharan Horned Viper

This viper has “horns” (modified scales) over each eye.

South American Bushmaster

The bushmaster has one of the deadliest snake bites in the world.

Temple Viper

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

Tomistoma (False Gharial)

This Asian crocodilian has a long narrow snout with up to 84 interlocking teeth.