List of reptiles of Ireland facts for kids
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Ireland is mostly known for its green landscapes, but it's also home to some interesting reptiles! There's only one type of land reptile that's truly native to Ireland: the viviparous or common lizard. You can find these lizards all over the island, especially near the coast, in boglands, and in mountainous areas.
Besides the native lizard, five different kinds of sea turtles visit the waters off Ireland's west coast regularly. However, these turtles don't come ashore in Ireland. All of these sea turtle species are in danger, with some being critically endangered. There's also one type of pond turtle, the pond slider, which was introduced to Ireland by people.
It's important to understand what "endangered" means for animals. Here's a quick guide to how scientists classify how much risk an animal species is facing:
| Extinct | This means there's no doubt that the very last animal of that species has died. It's gone forever. | |
| Extinct in the wild | The species only survives in zoos or special breeding programs. You won't find it living freely in nature anymore. | |
| Critically endangered | This species is in extreme danger of becoming extinct in the wild very soon. | |
| Endangered | This species faces a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. | |
| Vulnerable | This species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the future. | |
| Near threatened | The species isn't currently at high risk, but it might be in danger in the future. | |
| Least concern | There are no big worries about this species right now. It's doing well. | |
| Data deficient | Scientists don't have enough information to figure out how much risk this species is facing. |
Contents
Reptiles of Ireland: Lizards and Turtles
Reptiles are amazing cold-blooded animals. They include creatures like lizards, snakes, and turtles. In Ireland, you'll mainly find lizards and turtles.
Lizards in Ireland
Lizards are a type of reptile known for their scales and often four legs.
The Viviparous Lizard
- Scientific Name: Zootoca vivipara
- Status: Native to Ireland
The viviparous lizard is the only land reptile native to Ireland. These small lizards are special because they give birth to live young, instead of laying eggs like most other reptiles. This is why they are called "viviparous," which means "live-bearing." They are very adaptable and can live in many different habitats, from coastal areas to mountains.
The Slowworm
- Scientific Name: Anguis fragilis
- Status: Introduced (not native)
The slowworm is a legless lizard that looks a lot like a snake. However, it's actually a lizard! It's believed to have been introduced to Ireland more recently. Confirmed sightings have mostly been in a place called The Burren.
Sea Turtles of Ireland
Five different types of sea turtles regularly visit the waters off Ireland's west coast. These incredible creatures travel vast distances across the ocean. All of them are considered endangered or critically endangered.
Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea
- Status: Critically Endangered
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest sea turtle in the world. It's unique because it doesn't have a hard shell like other turtles. Instead, its shell is covered in tough, leathery skin. These turtles are amazing swimmers and can dive very deep.
Green Sea Turtle
- Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas
- Status: Endangered
Green sea turtles are named for the greenish color of their fat, not their shell. They are mostly herbivores, meaning they eat plants like seagrass and algae. They are beautiful and important parts of ocean ecosystems.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata
- Status: Critically Endangered
The hawksbill sea turtle has a distinctive, pointed beak-like mouth, which helps it eat sponges from coral reefs. Their beautiful shells were once highly prized, which sadly led to a big drop in their numbers.
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
- Scientific Name: Lepidochelys kempii
- Status: Critically Endangered (Vagrant in Ireland)
Kemp's ridley sea turtle is the smallest sea turtle species. It's also one of the most endangered. They are considered "vagrant" in Ireland, meaning they don't usually live there but sometimes wander into the waters.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Scientific Name: Caretta caretta
- Status: Endangered
Loggerhead sea turtles have very large heads and powerful jaws. They use these to crush the shells of their prey, like crabs and conchs. They are found in oceans all over the world.
Pond Turtles in Ireland
Pond Slider
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta
- Status: Introduced (not native)
The pond slider is a freshwater turtle that is not native to Ireland. These turtles are often kept as pets. Sometimes, people release them into the wild, which can cause problems for native wildlife.
