Reptiles | List of Reptiles with Facts & Pictures | Types of Reptiles

Few creatures rival the uniqueness of reptiles, as their distinct forms, behaviors, and diversity contribute to their extraordinary nature. However, what precisely categorizes an animal as a reptile, and what sorts of reptiles exist within the animal kingdom? This piece aims to provide a comprehensive definition of reptiles, offer an inventory of various reptile species, and delve into the types and characteristics of these fascinating creatures.

What Are Reptiles?

Reptiles, a class of vertebrate animals, share common characteristics such as scaly skin, cold-bloodedness, and the ability to lay eggs. They inhabit various regions worldwide, except for polar and tundra environments characterized by extremely low temperatures.

Ectothermic by nature, reptiles rely on sunlight and heat for their metabolism and energy. Consequently, most reptile species thrive in warm climates with ample sunlight, such as deserts, rainforests, and tropical areas.

In comparison to mammals, reptiles lack hair and do not give birth to live young, and they are not warm-blooded. While some reptiles reside primarily in or near water, they differ from amphibians as their offspring do not undergo metamorphic growth stages.

The earliest known reptile, Hylonomus lyelli, dates back approximately 312 million years. Reptiles share close evolutionary ties with birds and are more distantly related to mammals.

Types of Reptiles

The realm of reptiles is divided into four primary categories, each encompassing numerous species. These groups are known as Crocodilia, Sphenodontia, Squamata, and Testudines.

Crocodilians constitute a family of reptiles, including alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and Gavialis (gharials). Sphenodontia represent a reptilian family housing two species of tuataras primarily found in New Zealand.

Squamata embodies a diverse family of reptiles, comprising various species of lizards, snakes, and worm lizards. Testudines, on the other hand, form a family of reptiles that encompasses turtles, terrapins, and tortoises.

List of Reptiles

List of Reptiles

• Crocodile
• Alligator
• Turtle
• Terrapin
• Snake
• Worm Lizard
• Tortoise
• Caiman
• Gavialis
• Tuatara
• Lizard
• Chameleon
• Skink
• Gecko
• Iguana

Reptiles | Facts & Pictures

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are sizable reptiles inhabiting water bodies across the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Asia. Their distinguishing characteristic from alligators is their V-shaped snout.

Alligators

Currently, only two species of alligators exist, namely the American alligator (Alligator mississippienis) and the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). Unlike crocodiles, they possess a U-shaped snout and protruding teeth that align with the lower jaw.

Turtles

One among the six species of box turtles is the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), which can be found in the eastern United States, stretching to the Great Lakes region and Texas.

Terrapins

The term “Terrapins” was formerly employed to denote any aquatic turtles; however, it now predominantly signifies Malaclemys terrapin, or the Diamondback Terrapin. This particular species thrives in inland saltwater environments, residing in marshes, estuaries, and lagoons.

Snakes

Snakes, a category of limbless reptiles, are recognized for their distinct lack of arms and legs. With a global presence on every continent except Antarctica, there are a total of 3,900 snake species worldwide.

Worm Lizards

Worm lizards comprise various lizard species within the family Amphisbaenia, characterized by their limbless bodies. Notably, these lizards lack both arms and legs. Worm lizards possess reduced right lungs, whereas true snakes typically have smaller left lungs.

Tortoises

The term “Tortoise” is used differently worldwide; in general, however, the category colloquially refers to slow-moving, hard-shelled, long-living species of the Testudines family. Some tortoises have been known to live for over 150 years, with records surpassing 250 years.

Caimans

Caimans are smallish, short-snouted crocodilians that inhabit the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Their diet changes in composition as they age, but they can eat insects, lizards, amphibians, mammals, fish, and snakes.

Gavialis

The reptile group Gavialis consists of two species: the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and the false gharial (Tomistoma schelegelii). These species are long-snouted crocodilians that eat mostly fish, frogs, and crustaceans.

Tuataras

Tuataras are two species of reptiles that inhabit New Zealand and its surrounding islands. They are related to a family of reptiles that existed 200 million years ago — but whose members all but went extinct 60 million years ago.

Lizards

Members of the Draco genus of reptiles are the only lizards that are known to “fly”. In actuality, they do not fly — but use their ribs (and the membrane between them) to glide from tree to tree.