List of least concern reptiles facts for kids
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a list of animals and plants to show how safe they are from disappearing forever. As of September 2016, the IUCN listed 2,900 types of reptiles as "least concern." This means these species are not currently at risk of becoming extinct. In fact, more than half (56%) of all reptiles that have been checked are on this safe list.
The IUCN also says that two types of reptile subspecies (smaller groups within a species) are also "least concern." Plus, six smaller groups of reptiles have been checked and are also considered safe. This article will show you some of these amazing reptiles!
Contents
- Turtles and Tortoises
- Crocodiles and Alligators
- Tuataras
- Lizards: Many Shapes and Sizes
- Anguids: Glass Lizards and More
- Chameleons: Masters of Disguise
- Gekkonids: Geckos of the World
- Wall Lizards: Quick and Agile
- Skinks: Smooth and Shiny
- Collared Lizards: Fast Runners
- Dragon Lizards: Agamas and Dragons
- Phrynosomatids: Horned and Spiny
- Varanids: Monitor Lizards
- Other Interesting Lizards
- Snakes: Slithering Wonders
- See also
Turtles and Tortoises
Turtles and tortoises are ancient reptiles known for their hard shells. Many of them are doing well in the wild.
Species
- Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox)
- Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
- Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)
- Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri)
- Eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)
- Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
- Pond slider (Trachemys scripta)
Subspecies
- Brisbane short-necked turtle (Emydura macquarii signata)
Crocodiles and Alligators
Crocodiles and alligators are large, powerful reptiles that live in water. Many of these impressive animals are also doing well.
- American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
- Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
- Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
- Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Tuataras
The tuatara is a special reptile found only in New Zealand. It looks like a lizard but is actually the only living member of an ancient group of reptiles.
- Cook Strait tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)
Lizards: Many Shapes and Sizes
Lizards are a very diverse group of reptiles, with many different shapes, sizes, and behaviors. Over 1,600 types of lizards are listed as "least concern."
Anguids: Glass Lizards and More
This group includes lizards that sometimes look like snakes, like the glass lizards, which have no legs!
- Northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea)
- Eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Chameleons: Masters of Disguise
Chameleons are famous for changing their skin color and having eyes that can look in different directions at the same time.
- Eastern cape dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion ventrale)
- Short-horned chameleon (Calumma brevicorne)
- Veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)
- Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
- Jackson's chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii)
Gekkonids: Geckos of the World
Geckos are well-known for their amazing climbing abilities, thanks to special pads on their toes.
- Top-end Dtella (Gehyra australis)
- Large forest gecko (Gekko smithii)
- Common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)
- Giant Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)
- Common flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus)
Wall Lizards: Quick and Agile
These lizards are often seen scurrying across walls and rocks, especially in warmer parts of the world.
- Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis)
- European green lizard (Lacerta viridis)
- Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Skinks: Smooth and Shiny
Skinks are a large family of lizards, often with smooth, shiny scales and short legs. Subspecies
- Eastern blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides)
Collared Lizards: Fast Runners
These lizards are known for the dark bands around their necks, looking like a collar. They are very fast runners.
- Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)
- Long-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)
Dragon Lizards: Agamas and Dragons
This group includes many lizards with spiky scales and interesting behaviors, like the famous frilled lizard.
- Frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
- Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)
- Ornate mastigure (Uromastyx ornata)
Phrynosomatids: Horned and Spiny
This family includes horned lizards, which have spiky crowns on their heads, and spiny lizards.
- Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
- Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
- Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia)
Varanids: Monitor Lizards
Monitor lizards are generally large, powerful lizards known for their intelligence and hunting skills.
- Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis)
- Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
- Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator)
Other Interesting Lizards
- Black legless lizard (Anniella pulchra)
- Mexican mole lizard (Bipes biporus) - This lizard has only two front legs!
- Common spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis)
- Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
- Beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum)
- Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)
Snakes: Slithering Wonders
Snakes are reptiles without legs, known for their unique ways of moving and hunting. Over 1,100 snake species are considered "least concern."
Boids: Boas and Anacondas
This family includes large, non-venomous snakes that squeeze their prey.
- Dumeril's boa (Acrantophis dumerili)
- Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
- Rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata)
Vipers: Venomous Hunters
Vipers are venomous snakes with hinged fangs that can fold back when not in use.
- Northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
- Sahara sand viper (Cerastes vipera)
- Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes)
Pythons: Constricting Giants
Pythons are large, non-venomous snakes that constrict their prey. Many are popular in the pet trade.
- Children's python (Antaresia childreni)
- Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus)
- Carpet python (Morelia spilota)
- Ball python (Python regius)
Elapids: Cobras and Mambas
Elapids are a family of venomous snakes that include cobras, mambas, and sea snakes.
- Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)
- Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
- Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia)
- Pelagic sea snake (Pelamis platura)
Colubrids: The Largest Snake Family
This is the largest family of snakes, with many different types, including racers, kingsnakes, and vine snakes.
- Asian vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina)
- Glossy snake (Arizona elegans)
- Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
- Garden flying snake (Chrysopelea paradisi)
- Eastern racer (Coluber constrictor)
- Common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)
- Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
- Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer)
- Long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
- Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus)
Keelbacks: Water and Earth Snakes
Keelbacks are a group of snakes often found near water. Many have ridged (keeled) scales.
- Grass snake (Natrix natrix)
- Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon)
- Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
- Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Other Interesting Snakes
- Elephant trunk snake (Acrochordus javanicus) - This snake has loose, baggy skin.
- Common pipe snake (Cylindrophis ruffus)
- Asian sunbeam snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) - Known for its iridescent scales.
See also
