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List of reptiles of Australia

April 13, 2024

The non-avian reptiles of Australia are a diverse group of animals, widely distributed across the continent. Three of the four reptile orders are represented: Testudines, Squamata and Crocodilia. The only missing extant order is Sphenodontia, containing the tuataras, which are endemic to New Zealand. Australia has over 860 species, a large number in comparison to other continents; for example, North America's total is about 280.[1] The most species-rich group is Squamata, the snakes and lizards. They are especially diverse in the arid areas of Australia, where other fauna are scarcer. Spinifex grass is a major habitat which allows them to remain in a relatively cool, moist area.

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

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 the continent's north coastal area.

Australian reptile families edit

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 dragon lizards Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)  
Varanidae Monitors or goannas Lace monitor (Varanus varius)  
Scincidae Skinks Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis)  
Typhlopidae Blind snakes Proximus blind snake (Ramphotyphlops proximus) -
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)  

See also edit

References edit

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

April 13, 2024
list, reptiles, australia, avian, reptiles, australia, diverse, group, animals, widely, distributed, across, continent, three, four, reptile, orders, represented, testudines, squamata, crocodilia, only, missing, extant, order, sphenodontia, containing, tuatara. The non avian reptiles of Australia are a diverse group of animals widely distributed across the continent Three of the four reptile orders are represented Testudines Squamata and Crocodilia The only missing extant order is Sphenodontia containing the tuataras which are endemic to New Zealand Australia has over 860 species a large number in comparison to other continents for example North America s total is about 280 1 The most species rich group is Squamata the snakes and lizards They are especially diverse in the arid areas of Australia where other fauna are scarcer Spinifex grass is a major habitat which allows them to remain in a relatively cool moist area The perentie Varanus giganteus is Australia s largest lizard 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 the continent s north coastal area Australian reptile families editTestudines 4 familiesFamily Common names Example species Example photoCheloniidae Sea turtles Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas nbsp Dermochelyidae Leatherback sea turtle Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea nbsp Chelidae Austro American side necked turtles Common snakeneck turtle Chelodina longicollis nbsp Carettochelyidae Pig nosed turtle Pig nosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta nbsp Squamata 12 familiesFamily Common names Example species Example photoGekkonidae Geckos Thick tailed gecko Underwoodisaurus milii nbsp Pygopodidae Legless lizards Burton s legless lizard Lialis burtonis nbsp Agamidae dragon lizards Eastern bearded dragon Pogona barbata nbsp Varanidae Monitors or goannas Lace monitor Varanus varius nbsp Scincidae Skinks Western blue tongued skink Tiliqua occipitalis nbsp Typhlopidae Blind snakes Proximus blind snake Ramphotyphlops proximus Pythonidae Pythons Green tree python Morelia viridis nbsp Colubridae Colubrid snakes Brown tree snake Boiga irregularis nbsp Elapidae Common death adder Acanthophis antarcticus nbsp Hydrophiidae Sea snakes Laticaudidae Sea kraits Acrochordidae File snakes Arafura file snake Acrochordus arafurae nbsp Crocodilia 1 familyFamily Common names Example species Example photoCrocodylidae Crocodiles Freshwater crocodile Crocodylus johnstoni nbsp See also editList of reptiles of Tasmania List of reptiles of Western Australia List of Australian and Antarctic dinosaursReferences edit Wilson Steve Swan Gerry 2005 A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia Reed New Holland Harold G Cogger Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia Sydney AH amp AW Reed Revised edition 1983 ISBN 0 589 50356 1 1979 and subsequent editions Harold G Cogger Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia CSIRO Publishing Melbourne Revised edition 2014 ISBN 9780643100350 nbsp Australia portal nbsp Reptiles portal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of reptiles of Australia amp oldid 1085111893, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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