List of reptiles of Western Australia facts for kids

Western Australia is a huge state with many different types of animals. This article is a list of the amazing reptiles you can find living there. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, meaning their body temperature changes with their surroundings. They are known for their scales and often lay eggs. Let's explore some of the cool crocodiles, turtles, lizards, and snakes that call Western Australia home!

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are large, powerful reptiles that live in water. They are known for their strong jaws and sharp teeth. In Western Australia, you can find two main types of crocodiles.

Crocodylidae (True Crocodiles)

• Crocodylus johnstoni (freshwater crocodile): These crocodiles are smaller and live in freshwater rivers and billabongs. They are generally shy and less dangerous to humans.
• Crocodylus porosus (estuarine crocodile, saltwater crocodile): These are the largest living reptiles! They can live in both freshwater and saltwater, including coastal areas and estuaries. They are very powerful predators.

Turtles

Turtles are ancient reptiles with a hard shell that protects their body. They can live in freshwater or the ocean.

Chelidae (Australian Freshwater Turtles)

These turtles live in rivers, lakes, and swamps. Many of them have long necks!

• Chelodina colliei (southwestern snake-necked turtle, oblong turtle)
• Chelodina oblonga (northern snake-necked turtle)
• Chelodina steindachneri (dinner-plate turtle, flat-shelled turtle)
• Elseya dentata (northern snapping turtle)
• Pseudemydura umbrina (western swamp turtle): This is one of the rarest turtles in the world, found only in a small area of Western Australia.

Cheloniidae (Hard-shelled Sea Turtles)

These are the sea turtles you often see swimming in the ocean. They have flippers instead of feet.

• Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle)
• Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle)
• Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill sea turtle)
• Lepidochelys olivacea (olive ridley sea turtle, Pacific ridley sea turtle)
• Natator depressus (flatback sea turtle)

Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtles)

This family has only one species, which is unique because it doesn't have a hard shell.

• Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtle, leathery turtle, lute turtle): The largest of all living turtles, known for its leathery shell.

Lizards

Lizards are a very diverse group of reptiles. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny geckos to large goannas. Many lizards have four legs, but some, like legless lizards, look like snakes!

Agamidae (Dragons)

These lizards are often called "dragons" because of their spiky scales or impressive displays.

• Chlamydosaurus kingii (frill-necked lizard, frilled lizard): Famous for its large frill around its neck that it can flare out when threatened.
• Moloch horridus (thorny dragon or thorny devil): This amazing lizard is covered in sharp spines and can collect water through its skin.
• Pogona minor (bearded dragon): A popular pet, known for the "beard" of scales under its chin.
• Ctenophorus ornatus (ornate crevice-dragon)
• Ctenophorus reticulatus (western netted dragon)

Gekkonidae (Geckos)

Geckos are usually small, nocturnal lizards with special pads on their feet that help them climb walls and ceilings.

Bynoe's gecko (Heteronotia binoei), Northern Territory, Australia

• Christinus marmoratus (marbled gecko)
• Diplodactylus ciliaris (spiny-tailed gecko)
• Diplodactylus conspicillatus (fat-tailed gecko)
• Gehyra variegata (tree dtella)
• Hemidactylus frenatus (Asian house gecko)
• Heteronotia binoei (Bynoe's gecko, prickly gecko): A common gecko found across much of Australia.
• Nephrurus levis (knob-tailed gecko): These geckos have a distinctive knob at the end of their tail.
• Underwoodisaurus milii (thick-tailed gecko)

Pygopodidae (Legless Lizards)

These lizards have lost their legs over time and look very much like snakes. However, they have ear holes and broad, fleshy tongues, unlike snakes.

• Lialis burtonis (Burton's legless lizard): This lizard has a pointed snout and can eat other lizards.
• Pygopus lepidopodus (common scaly foot): A large legless lizard that moves like a snake.

Scincidae (Skinks)

Skinks are one of the largest lizard families. They often have smooth, shiny scales and can be found in many different habitats.

• Tiliqua multifasciata (Centralian blue-tongued lizard)
• Tiliqua occipitalis (western blue-tongued lizard)
• Tiliqua scincoides (eastern blue-tongued lizard): These large skinks are known for their bright blue tongue, which they flash to scare away predators.
• Trachydosaurus rugosus (shingle-back): Also known as the sleepy lizard, it has a short, stumpy tail that looks like another head.
• Eremiascincus richardson (broad-banded sand swimmer)
• Egernia kingii
• Ctenotus inornatus

Varanidae (Goannas or Monitors)

Goannas are large, active predators. They are known for their long necks, powerful claws, and often long, whip-like tails.

• Varanus giganteus (perentie): Australia's largest lizard and the fourth-largest lizard in the world!
• Varanus gouldii (Gould's goanna, sand monitor): A common and widespread goanna that hunts on the ground.
• Varanus mertensi (Mertens' water monitor): A goanna that spends a lot of time in water, hunting fish and frogs.
• Varanus acanthurus (ridge-tailed monitor)
• Varanus tristis (black-headed monitor, freckled monitor)

Snakes

Snakes are reptiles without legs. They move by slithering and are found in almost every habitat. Western Australia has many different types of snakes, including some of the most venomous in the world.

Acrochordidae (File Snakes)

These are aquatic snakes with rough, loose skin, adapted for gripping slippery prey like fish.

• Acrochordus granulatus (little file snake)

Pythonidae (Pythons)

Pythons are non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by constricting (squeezing) them. They can be very large.

• Antaresia childreni (Children's python): A small, harmless python often kept as a pet.
• Aspidites melanocephalus (black-headed python): This python has a distinctive black head and neck.
• Aspidites ramsayi (woma python)
• Liasis olivaceus (olive python): One of Australia's largest snakes.
• Morelia spilota (carpet python): A common and beautiful python with complex patterns on its skin.

Colubridae (Colubrids)

This is the largest family of snakes in the world. Many are harmless, but some can be venomous.

• Boiga irregularis (brown tree snake): An invasive species in some areas, known for its climbing ability.
• Dendrelaphis punctulata (common tree snake): A slender, fast-moving snake that lives in trees.
• Tropidonophis mairii (keelback or freshwater snake)

Elapidae (Elapids)

Elapids are a family of venomous snakes that include many of Australia's most dangerous species. They have fixed fangs at the front of their mouths.

• Acanthophis antarcticus (common death adder): These snakes are masters of camouflage and have a small, worm-like lure on their tail to attract prey.
• Oxyuranus scutellatus (coastal taipan): One of the world's most venomous snakes.
• Pseudechis australis (king brown, mulga snake): A large, highly venomous snake found in many habitats.
• Pseudonaja affinis (dugite): A common and venomous brown snake found in southwestern Western Australia.
• Pseudonaja nuchalis (western brown snake, gwarder): Another highly venomous brown snake.
• Notechis scutatus (eastern tiger snake, mainland tiger snake): A highly venomous snake with distinctive bands.
• Vermicella annulata (bandy-bandy): A striking snake with alternating black and white bands.

Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)

Sea snakes are fully aquatic and have flattened tails like paddles to help them swim. Most are venomous.

• Aipysurus laevis (olive sea snake): A common and large sea snake.
• Pelamis platurus (yellow-bellied sea snake): This snake is found in open ocean waters around the world.

Typhlopidae (Blind Snakes)

Blind snakes are small, burrowing snakes that spend most of their lives underground. They have tiny eyes covered by scales.

• Ramphotyphlops australis
• Ramphotyphlops pinguis

See also