List of vulnerable reptiles facts for kids

Vulnerable (VU) species are considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Imagine a special list that tells us which animals are in trouble. This list is made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In September 2016, they said that 411 different kinds of reptiles were "vulnerable." This means these reptiles are facing a high risk of disappearing forever in the wild. About 8 out of every 100 reptile species they checked were on this vulnerable list. Ten types of reptile subspecies are also considered vulnerable.

When a species is called vulnerable, it means scientists have enough proof that it could become extinct in the wild. Species that are even more at risk are called "endangered" or "critically endangered." All these groups – vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered – are known as threatened species.

Sometimes, there isn't enough information about a reptile species to know if it's in danger. These are called "data deficient" species. About 910 reptile species (18% of those checked) are in this group. The IUCN believes these species might also be threatened, especially if they live in small areas or have small populations. It's important to pay attention to them until we know more.

This article lists all the vulnerable reptile species and subspecies identified by the IUCN.

Turtles and Tortoises in Danger

There are 62 types of turtles and tortoises that are considered vulnerable.

Vulnerable Tortoises

Vulnerable Geoemydids

These are a family of turtles often found in Asia.

Vulnerable Trionychids

These are softshell turtles.

Vulnerable Chelids

These are often called snake-necked turtles.

Vulnerable Emydids

This group includes pond turtles and box turtles.

Other Vulnerable Turtle Species

Vulnerable Crocodilians

Here are the crocodiles and alligators that are vulnerable:

Vulnerable Tuatara

The tuatara is a unique reptile found only in New Zealand.

• Brothers Island tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri)

Lizards Facing Challenges

There are 244 species and nine subspecies of lizards that are vulnerable.

Vulnerable Iguanids

This group includes iguanas and their relatives.

Species

Subspecies

Vulnerable Flap-footed Lizards

These lizards often have very small or no legs.

Vulnerable Anguids

This group includes slowworms, glass lizards, and alligator lizards.

Vulnerable Girdled Lizards

These lizards have tough, often spiny scales.

Vulnerable Chameleons

These amazing lizards are known for changing color and their unique eyes.

Vulnerable Plated Lizards

Vulnerable Anoles

Anoles are small, often colorful lizards.

Vulnerable Gekkonids

This group includes many types of geckos.

Vulnerable Wall Lizards

Species

Subspecies

• Zootoca vivipara pannonica

Vulnerable Skinks

Skinks are a diverse group of lizards, often with smooth, shiny scales. Species

Subspecies

• Egernia stokesii aethiops
• Jurien Bay rock-skink (Liopholis pulchra longicauda)

Vulnerable Spectacled Lizards

These lizards have clear scales over their eyes, like spectacles.

Vulnerable Teiids

This group includes whiptails and tegus.

Vulnerable Dragon Lizards

This family includes many types of "dragons" and agamas.

Vulnerable Phyllodactylids

These are a type of gecko.

Vulnerable Phrynosomatids

This group includes spiny lizards and horned lizards.

Vulnerable Liolaemids

These lizards are found in South America.

Other Vulnerable Lizard Species

Snakes in Need of Help

There are 100 species and one subspecies of snakes that are vulnerable.

Vulnerable Pseudoxyrhophiids

This family of snakes is mostly found in Madagascar.

Vulnerable Vipers

Vipers are venomous snakes found worldwide. Species

• Barbour's short-headed viper (Atheris barbouri)
• Usambara eyelash viper (Atheris ceratophora)
• Plain mountain adder (Bitis inornata)
• Namaqua dwarf adder (Bitis schneideri)
• Yellow-blotched palm pit viper (Bothriechis aurifer)
• Rowley's palm pit viper (Bothriechis rowleyi)
• Piraja's lancehead (Bothrops pirajai)
• Crotalus stejnegeri
• Hon Son pit viper (Cryptelytrops honsonensis)
• Ruby-eyed green pitviper (Cryptelytrops rubeus)
• Shedao Island pit viper (Gloydius shedaoensis)
• Montivipera albicornuta
• Ophryacus undulatus
• Cameron highlands pit viper (Popeia nebularis)
• Caucasus subalpine viper (Vipera dinniki)
• Iranian mountain steppe viper (Vipera ebneri)
• Alburzi viper (Vipera eriwanensis)
• Lataste's viper (Vipera latastei)
• Meadow viper (Vipera ursinii)

Subspecies

• Atlantic bushmaster (Lachesis muta rhombeata)

Vulnerable Dipsadids

This is a very large family of snakes, mostly found in the Americas.

Vulnerable Elapids

Elapids are a family of venomous snakes, including cobras and kraits.

Vulnerable Colubrids

Colubrids are the largest family of snakes, found all over the world.

Vulnerable Keelbacks

Keelbacks are a group of snakes often found near water.

Other Vulnerable Snake Species

See also

• Lists of IUCN Red List vulnerable species
• List of least concern reptiles
• List of near threatened reptiles
• List of endangered reptiles
• List of critically endangered reptiles
• List of recently extinct reptiles
• List of data deficient reptiles