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Introduction

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Selected reptile type

An American alligator (top) and a Chinese alligator

An alligator, or colloquially gator, is a large reptile in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae of the order Crocodilia. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Alligators first appeared during the late Eocene epoch about 37 million years ago.

The name "alligator" is likely an anglicized form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for "the lizard", which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. Early English spellings of the name included allagarta and alagarto. (Full article...)

Selected Crocodilia article

A smooth-fronted caiman at Zoologischer Garten Berlin in Berlin, Germany

The smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus), also known as Schneider's dwarf caiman or Schneider's smooth-fronted caiman, is a crocodilian from South America, where it is native to the Amazon and Orinoco Basins. It is the second-smallest species of the family Alligatoridae, the smallest being Cuvier's dwarf caiman, also from tropical South America and in the same genus. An adult typically grows to around 1.2 to 1.6 m (3.9 to 5.2 ft) in length and weighs between 9 and 20 kg (20 and 44 lb). Exceptionally large males can reach as much as 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length and 36 kg (79 lb) in weight. (Full article...)

Selected lizard article

The marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), also known as the sea iguana, saltwater iguana, or Galápagos marine iguana, is a species of iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador). Unique among modern lizards, it is a marine reptile that has the ability to forage in the sea for algae, which makes up almost all of its diet. Marine iguanas are the only extant lizard that spends time in a marine environment. Large males are able to dive to find this food source, while females and smaller males feed during low tide in the intertidal zone. They mainly live in colonies on rocky shores where they bask after visiting the relatively cold water or intertidal zone, but can also be seen in marshes, mangrove swamps and beaches. Large males defend territories for a short period, but smaller males have other breeding strategies. After mating, the female digs a nest hole in the soil where she lays her eggs, leaving them to hatch on their own a few months later.

Marine iguanas vary in appearance between the different islands and several subspecies are recognized. Although relatively large numbers remain and it is locally abundant, this protected species is considered threatened, primarily from El Niño cycles, introduced predators and chance events like oil spills. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

The West African black turtle (Pelusios niger) is a species of turtle in the family Pelomedusidae. It is endemic to Africa, in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

Image 1Namaqua chameleon
Image 2Marginated tortoise hatchling
Image 3Plumed basilisk
Image 4Australian water dragon
Image 5Bothriechis schlegelii
Image 6White-headed dwarf gecko
Image 7Green sea turtle
Image 8Mexican beaded lizard
Image 9Trachylepis striata
Image 10Thamnophis elegans terrestris at Western terrestrial garter snake
Image 11Gold dust day gecko
Image 12Eastern long-necked turtle
Image 13Leiocephalus carinatus
Image 14Niveoscincus metallicus
Image 15Eastern bearded dragon
Image 16Rough chameleon
Image 17Common collared lizard
Image 18Cape skink - Trachylepis capensis. Close-up on purple Aster flowers.
Image 19Bosc's fringe-toed lizards during courtship
Image 20Cerastes cerastes
Image 21Sicilian wall lizard
Image 22Species of Ceratopsia dinosaurs
Image 23Marine iguana
Image 24Leiocephalus personatus
Image 25A green sea turtle swimming above a coral reef.
Image 26Morelia spilota
Image 27Barracudasauroides
Image 28Green sea turtle
Image 29Sinai agama
Image 30Mwanza flat-headed rock agama
Image 31Red-headed Amazon River turtles
Image 32Carolina anole
Image 33Asian vine snake Ahaetulla prasina. This snake has a wide distribution in Asia. It feeds on small reptiles and amphibians, particularly lizards and tree frogs. Adults may attain 1.8 m (6 feet) in total length, with a tail 0.6 m (2 feet) long. Its appearance is very much like those of South American vine snakes. It is a rear-fanged species and is mildly venomous but is not considered a threat to humans.
Image 34Ladder snake
Image 35Green sea turtle
Image 36Plestiodon fasciatus
Image 37Italian wall lizard
Image 38Vipera xanthina
Image 39Trachylepis maculilabris mating
Image 40Yacare caiman
Image 41Indian chameleon
Image 42 Albino alligator
Image 43Jackson's chameleon
Image 44Steneosaurus
Image 45Aldabra giant tortoise
Image 46Namaqua chameleon
Image 47Gold dust day gecko
Image 48Dwarf yellow-headed gecko
Image 49Vipera dinniki
Image 50Common box turtle
Image 51Phelsuma grandis
Image 52Gold dust day gecko close-up
Image 53Anole at Polychrotinae

Selected snake article

Tree snake is a common name for several snakes and may refer to:

Boiga irregularis, the brown tree snake, native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea, and notable as an invasive species in Guam
Dendrelaphis, a genus of snakes known as "tree snakes" in Australia
Imantodes, a genus of snakes native to Central and South America (Full article...)