List of recently extinct reptiles facts for kids
Did you know that some incredible reptiles have disappeared forever? As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a list of animals that are no longer with us. This list includes 24 types of reptiles that are completely extinct, meaning they have vanished from Earth. There are also 17 types that are possibly extinct, and two species that are extinct in the wild, meaning they only exist in zoos or special conservation areas.
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Lost Reptiles: Animals We Can't Find Anymore
Turtles and Tortoises
Turtles and tortoises are ancient reptiles known for their protective shells. Sadly, some of these slow-moving creatures have become extinct.
Extinct Species
These turtle and tortoise species are completely gone from the world:
- Pinta giant tortoise (Chelonoidis abingdonii)
- Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis spp.) (Four out of 15 known types are extinct)
- Réunion giant tortoise (Cylindraspis indica)
- Saddle-backed Mauritius giant tortoise (Cylindraspis inepta)
- Domed Rodrigues giant tortoise (Cylindraspis peltastes)
- Domed Mauritius giant tortoise (Cylindraserrata)
- Saddle-backed Rodrigues giant tortoise (Cylindraspis vosmaeri)
Extinct in the Wild Species
These turtles only survive in special care, like in zoos or breeding programs. They can no longer be found living freely in nature:
- Black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans)
Lizards
Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles, including geckos, skinks, and iguanas. Many have faced serious threats, leading to their disappearance.
Extinct Species
These lizard species are no longer found anywhere on Earth:
- Guadeloupe ameiva (Pholidoscelis cineraceus)
- Martinique giant ameiva (Ameiva major)
- Cape Verde giant skink (Chioninia coctei)
- Contomastix charrua
- Navassa rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura onchiopsis)
- Delcourt's giant gecko (Gigarcanum delcourti)
- Navassa curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus eremitus)
- Martinique curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus herminieri)
- Mauritian giant skink (Leiolopisma mauritiana)
- Rodrigues giant day gecko (Phelsuma gigas)
- Tonga ground skink (Tachygyia microlepis)
- Eastwood's long-tailed seps (Tetradactylus eastwoodae)
Possibly Extinct Species
Scientists are not sure if these lizard species still exist. They haven't been seen in a long time, but there's a small chance they might still be out there:
- Culebra Island giant anole (Anolis roosevelti)
- Lesser Saint Croix skink (Capitellum parvicruzae)
- San Cristobal galliwasp (Celestus anelpistus)
- Jamaica giant galliwasp (Celestus occiduus)
- Contomastix vittata
- Okoloma worm lizard (Cynisca gansi)
- La Palma giant lizard (Gallotia auaritae)
- Magdalena scaly-eyed gecko (Lepidoblepharis miyatai)
- Cranwell's tree iguana (Liolaemus cranwelli)
- Chapman's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum)
- Greater Saint Croix skink (Spondylurus magnacruzae)
- Monito skink (Spondylurus monitae)
- Greater Virgin Islands skink (Spondylurus spilonotus)
- Haensch's whorltail iguana (Stenocercus haenschi)
Snakes
Snakes are fascinating reptiles without legs, found in many different habitats. Unfortunately, some snake species have also disappeared.
Extinct Species
These snake species are completely gone from the world:
- Round Island burrowing boa (Bolyeria multocarinata)
- Hoffstetter's worm snake (Madatyphlops cariei)
Possibly Extinct Species
Scientists are unsure if these snake species still exist. They haven't been seen in a long time:
- Saint Croix racer (Borikenophis sanctaecrucis)
- Brike Snake (Calamaria prakkei)
- Agalta Mountain forest snake (Omoadiphas cannula)
- Ankafina ground snake (Pseudoxyrhopus ankafinaensis)
- Viquez's tropical ground snake (Trimetopon viquezi)
See also
