Common name : Royal python, Ball python Scientific name : Python regius Family : Pythonidae Native to : Africa Interesting fact : Ball pythons roll into balls when threatened and they were worn as jewellery by some African rulers. Conservation status : Least Concern The smallest African python is the ball python measuring 5 to […]
Common name : Saw-backs Scientific name : Graptemys gibbonsi Family : Emydidae Native to : Southern United States Interesting fact : Due to the sharp scales on the shell they are also called ‘Saw-backs’. Conservation status : Endangered Named after the river it is found in, the Pascagoula map turtle has an olive green domed
Scientific name : Elgaria panamintina Family : Anguidae Native to : California Interesting fact : The alligator lizard is very aggressive and bites when threatened Conservation status : Vulnerable Living in desert mountains are Panamint alligator lizards that are yellow with broad brown crossbands. Covered in smooth scales they have long tails almost twice their
Common name : Zetek’s golden frog, Cerro Campana stubfoot toad Scientific name : Atelopus zeteki Family : Bufonidae Native to : Panama Interesting fact : The golden frog is considered as a sign of good luck in Panama. Conservation status : Critically Endangered Contrary to its name, the golden frog is a toad that is
Scientific name : Chrysemys picta Family : Emydidae Native to : North America but widely distributed Interesting fact : Nesting females sometimes get stuck in the mud to an extent that they can’t even move. Conservation status : Least Concern The painted turtle is truly a piece of art that is olive with yellow or
Common name : Cochin banded sea snake, Gray’s sea snake Scientific name : Hydrophis ornatus Family : Elapidae Native to : Widely distributed from the Arabian Gulf and eastwards till Australia Interesting fact : The sea snake can remain under water for up to 2 hours. Conservation status : Least Concern Venomous ornate reef sea
Common name : Argentine horned frog, Argentine wide-mouthed frog, Ornate pacman frog Scientific name : Ceratophys ornata Family : Leptodactylidae Native to : Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Interesting fact : It is also called ‘mouth with legs’ as the mouth seems to cover the entire front half of the body. Conservation status : Near Threatened True
Scientific name : Batrachoseps wrightorum Family : Plethodontidae Native to : North-Western United States Interesting fact : The salamander tends to coil and lay motionless if found. Conservation status : Vulnerable Oregon slender salamanders are small and slender growing to a length of 8.6-10.8 cm. The dark brown body has yellow to reddish brown markings
Common name : Cascade salamander Scientific name : Rhyacotriton olympicus Family : Rhyacotritonidae Native to : United States Interesting fact : When disturbed, the salamander will roll over and expose its bright yellow belly to startle its predators. Conservation status : Vulnerable Olympic torrent salamanders have distinct bright yellow bellies. These small 10 cm salamanders
Common name : Golden sea snake Scientific name : Aipysurus laevis Family : Elapidae Native to : Indo-Pacific oceans Interesting fact : The olive sea snake has light-detecting receptors on its tail and hence hides in the deepest coral holes during the day. Conservation status : Least Concern Olive brown in colour, the olive sea
Common name : Pacific ridley sea turtle Scientific name : Lepidochelys olivacea Family : Cheloniidae Native to : Pacific and Indian Oceans Interesting fact : Thousands of turtles migrate and come together, called arribada, to lay their eggs in the beach. Conservation status : Vulnerable Olive ridley turtles have typical heart-shaped shells which may appear
Common name : Eyed lizard, jeweled lacerta Scientific name : Timon lepidus Family : Lacertidae Native to : Spain, Portugal, France and Italy Interesting fact : Ocellated lizards were used in traditional Spanish cuisine but these lizards are now under protection in Spain. Conservation status : Near Threatened They are the largest lizards in Europe
Common name : Meadow frogs Scientific name : Lithobates pipiens Family : Ranidae Native to : Canada, United States Interesting fact : It is the official state amphibian of Vermont and Minnesota. Conservation status : Least Concern Leopard-like spots cover the backs of the green Northern leopard frogs giving them their name. Two distinct ridges
Common name : African small-grain lizard, Water leguaan, River leguaan Scientific name : Varanus niloticus Family : Varanidae Native to : Africa Interesting fact : They can remain submerged in water for up to an hour. Conservation status : Least Concern Nile monitors are fond of crocodiles’ eggs and can be found near their nests.
Scientific name : Crocodylus niloticus Family : Crocodylidae Native to : Africa and Madagascar Interesting fact : The female guards the eggs till they hatch and take care of young ones for up to two years which is very unusual of reptiles that move on after laying eggs. Conservation status : Least Concern Nile crocodiles