List of reptiles of American Samoa facts for kids

American Samoa is a group of beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean. It's a special place with many amazing animals, including different kinds of reptiles. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, meaning their body temperature changes with their surroundings. They are often covered in scales and lay eggs. In American Samoa, you can find reptiles living both in the ocean and on land.

Ocean Animals: Reptiles of the Sea

Some reptiles make their home in the vast Pacific Ocean surrounding American Samoa. These incredible creatures are specially adapted to life in the water.

Sea Turtles

The Pacific boa

Sea turtles are ancient reptiles that spend almost their entire lives in the ocean. They have strong flippers to help them swim long distances. Female sea turtles come ashore only to lay their eggs on sandy beaches.

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): These turtles are known for their beautiful, patterned shells. They often eat sponges found on coral reefs.
• Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas): Called laumei ena’ena or fonu by locals, these turtles are mostly plant-eaters, munching on seagrass and algae.
• Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): These are some of the smallest sea turtles. They are famous for their "arribadas," which are mass nesting events where thousands of females come ashore together.
• Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): The largest of all sea turtles, leatherbacks have a unique leathery shell instead of a hard one. They can dive very deep and travel to cold waters.

Sea Snakes

Sea snakes are reptiles that have adapted to live in the ocean. They have flattened tails that help them swim like eels. Most sea snakes are venomous, but they are generally not aggressive towards humans.

• Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis platurus): This snake is easy to spot with its bright yellow belly and black back. It spends its whole life in the open ocean, often floating on currents.
• Yellow-lipped Sea Krait (Laticauda colubrina): Unlike other sea snakes, this krait often comes onto land. It has black bands on its body and a yellow snout. It hunts eels and fish in coral reefs.

Land Animals: Reptiles of the Islands

American Samoa's islands are also home to many reptiles that live on land. These include different kinds of lizards and a few types of snakes.

Geckos

Geckos are small lizards known for their amazing ability to climb walls and even ceilings. They have special toe pads that allow them to stick to almost any surface. Many geckos are active at night.

• Pacific Slender-toed Gecko (Nactus pelagicus): This gecko is often found hiding under rocks or logs.
• Oceanic Gecko (Gehyra oceanica): A common gecko, often seen around homes and buildings.
• Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris): This unique gecko species is mostly female and reproduces without a male.
• Stump-toed Gecko (Gehyra mutilatus): Known for its short, stubby toes.
• House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus): This gecko is often found inside houses, eating insects.

Skinks

Skinks are another type of lizard, usually with smooth, shiny scales and short legs. They often look like a mix between a lizard and a snake. Many skinks live in leaf litter or under rocks.

• Pacific Snake-eyed Skink (Cryptoblepharus poecilopleurus): This skink has clear scales over its eyes, making it look like it has "snake eyes."
• Micronesian Skink (Emoia adspersa): A small skink found in various habitats.
• White-bellied / Brown-tailed Striped Skink (Emoia cyanura): This skink has stripes and a distinct tail color.
• Dark-bellied or Blue-tailed Striped Skink (Emoia impar): Similar to the above, but with a darker belly and often a blue tail.
• Günther's Emo Skink (Emoia lawesii): A specific type of emo skink found in the region.
• Pacific Black Skink (Emoia nigra): As its name suggests, this skink is mostly black.
• Samoan Skink (Emoia samoensis): A skink native to the Samoan islands.
• Moth Skink (Lipinia noctua): A small, secretive skink.

Snakes

The Pacific boa

While American Samoa has many lizards, there are only a few types of snakes. Most of them are harmless to humans.

• Pacific Boa (Candoia bibroni): This non-venomous snake is found on Ta‘ū island. It is a constrictor, meaning it squeezes its prey.
• Brahminy Blind Snake (Indotyphlops braminus): This tiny, harmless snake looks a lot like a worm. It lives underground and eats ants and termites. It is also mostly female and reproduces without a male.