Reptiles of Australia
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Reptiles of Australia are a diverse group of animals, widely distributed across the continent. Three of the four orders of reptiles are native to Australia: Testudines, Squamata and Crocodilia. The only missing extant order is Sphenodontia, containing the tuataras, which are endemic to New Zealand. Australia has a large diversity of reptiles, with over 860 species. This is rich in comparison to other continents. For example, North America has approximately 280 species of reptile.[1] The most diverse group is Squamata, also known as the snakes and lizards. The snakes and lizards are especially diverse in the arid areas of Australia, where diversity of other fauna is generally low. Spinifex grass is a major habitat which allows them to remain in a relatively cool, moist area.
Australia has a large array of reptiles which can be dangerous to humans. The world's largest reptile, the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), is native to Australia.
[edit] Australian reptile families
| Testudines - 4 families | |||
| Family | Common Names | Example Species | Example Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheloniidae | Sea turtles | Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) |  |
| Dermochelyidae | Leatherback Sea Turtle | Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) |  |
| Chelidae | Austro-American Side-necked Turtles | Common Snakeneck Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) |  |
| Carettochelyidae | Pig-nosed Turtle | Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) |  |
| Squamata - 12 families | |||
| Family | Common Names | Example Species | Example Photo |
| Gekkonidae | Geckos | Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) |  |
| Pygopodidae | Legless lizards | Burton's Legless-lizard (Lialis burtonis) |  |
| Agamidae | - | Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata) |  |
| Varanidae | Monitors or goannas | Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) |  |
| Scincidae | Skinks | Western Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua occipitalis) |  |
| Typhlopidae | Blind snakes | - | - |
| Pythonidae | Pythons | Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) |  |
| Colubridae | Colubrid snakes | Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) |  |
| Elapidae | - | Common Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) |  |
| Hydrophiidae | Sea snakes | - | - |
| Laticaudidae | Sea kraits | - | - |
| Acrochordidae | File snakes | Arafura File Snake (Acrochordus arafurae) |  |
| Crocodilia - 1 family | |||
| Family | Common Names | Example Species | Example Photo |
| Crocodylidae | Crocodiles | Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) |  |
[edit] References
- ^ Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2005). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Reed New Holland.
