List of reptiles of Australia

The Perentie (Varanus giganteus) is Australia's largest lizard.

The 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.

Australian reptile families

Testudines - 4 families
FamilyCommon NamesExample SpeciesExample Photo
CheloniidaeSea turtlesGreen sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
DermochelyidaeLeatherback sea turtleLeatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
ChelidaeAustro-American side-necked turtlesCommon snakeneck turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
CarettochelyidaePig-nosed turtlePig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)
Squamata - 12 families
FamilyCommon NamesExample SpeciesExample Photo
GekkonidaeGeckosThick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii)
PygopodidaeLegless lizardsBurton's legless-lizard (Lialis burtonis)
Agamidae - Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)
VaranidaeMonitors or goannasLace monitor (Varanus varius)
ScincidaeSkinksWestern blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis)
TyphlopidaeBlind snakes - -
PythonidaePythonsGreen tree python (Morelia viridis)
ColubridaeColubrid snakes Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
Elapidae - Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus)
HydrophiidaeSea snakes - -
LaticaudidaeSea kraits - -
AcrochordidaeFile snakes Arafura file snake (Acrochordus arafurae)
Crocodilia - 1 family
FamilyCommon NamesExample SpeciesExample Photo
CrocodylidaeCrocodilesFreshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)

See also

References

  1. Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2005). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Reed New Holland.