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Introduction

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Selected reptile type

Northern tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus punctatus)

The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is a species of reptile endemic to New Zealand. Despite its close resemblance to lizards, it is part of a distinct lineage, the order Rhynchocephalia. The name tuatara is derived from the Māori language and means "peaks on the back".

The single extant species of tuatara is the only surviving member of its order, which was highly diverse during the Mesozoic era. Rhynchocephalians first appeared in the fossil record during the Triassic, around 240 million years ago, and reached worldwide distribution and peak diversity during the Jurassic, when they represented the world's dominant group of small reptiles. Rhynchocephalians underwent a great decline during the Cretaceous with their youngest records outside New Zealand dating to the Paleocene. Their closest living relatives are squamates (lizards and snakes). Tuatara are of interest for studying the evolution of reptiles.

Tuatara are greenish brown and grey, and measure up to 80 cm (31 in) from head to tail-tip and weigh up to 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) with a spiny crest along the back, especially pronounced in males. They have two rows of teeth in the upper jaw overlapping one row on the lower jaw, which is unique among living species. They are able to hear, although no external ear is present, and have unique features in their skeleton. (Full article...)

Selected Crocodilia article

At Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm near Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the eastern, southern, and central regions of the continent, and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and marshlands. Although capable of living in saline environments, this species is rarely found in saltwater, but occasionally inhabits deltas and brackish lakes. The range of this species once stretched northward throughout the Nile River, as far north as the Nile Delta. Lake Rudolf in Kenya has one of the largest undisturbed populations of Nile crocodiles. Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5 m (11 ft 6 in and 16 ft 5 in) in length and weighs 225 to 750 kg (500 to 1,650 lb). However, specimens exceeding 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight have been recorded. It is the largest freshwater predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Size is sexually dimorphic, with females usually about 30% smaller than males. The crocodile has thick, scaly, heavily armoured skin.

Nile crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators; a very aggressive crocodile, they are capable of taking almost any animal within their range. They are generalists, taking a variety of prey, with a diet consisting mostly of different species of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. As ambush predators, they can wait for hours, days, and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. They are agile predators and wait for the opportunity for a prey item to come well within attack range. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. Like other crocodiles, Nile crocodiles have a powerful bite that is unique among all animals, and sharp, conical teeth that sink into flesh, allowing a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. They can apply high force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown.

Nile crocodiles are relatively social. They share basking spots and large food sources, such as schools of fish and big carcasses. Their strict hierarchy is determined by size. Large, old males are at the top of this hierarchy and have first access to food and the best basking spots. Crocodiles tend to respect this order; when it is infringed, the results are often violent and sometimes fatal. Like most other reptiles, Nile crocodiles lay eggs; these are guarded by the females and males, making the Nile crocodiles one of few reptile species whose males contribute to parental care. The hatchlings are also protected for a period of time, but hunt by themselves and are not fed by the parents. (Full article...)

Selected lizard article

The Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor (Varanus bitatawa), also known by the local names bitatawa, baritatawa, and butikaw, is a large, arboreal, frugivorous lizard of the genus Varanus. The lizard is a distinctive food of the Aeta and Ilongot indigenous people of the Philippines. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

The eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) or common mud turtle is a common species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is endemic to the United States. There are two recognized subspecies. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

Image 1Indian chameleon
Image 2Ladder snake
Image 3Cape skink - Trachylepis capensis. Close-up on purple Aster flowers.
Image 4Sicilian wall lizard
Image 5Asian 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 6Aldabra giant tortoise
Image 7Steneosaurus
Image 8Eastern bearded dragon
Image 9Green sea turtle
Image 10Cerastes cerastes
Image 11Namaqua chameleon
Image 12Common box turtle
Image 13Italian wall lizard
Image 14A green sea turtle swimming above a coral reef.
Image 15Marginated tortoise hatchling
Image 16Niveoscincus metallicus
Image 17Leiocephalus carinatus
Image 18Vipera xanthina
Image 19Dwarf yellow-headed gecko
Image 20Carolina anole
Image 21Trachylepis striata
Image 22Australian water dragon
Image 23Yacare caiman
Image 24Thamnophis elegans terrestris at Western terrestrial garter snake
Image 25Leiocephalus personatus
Image 26Bothriechis schlegelii
Image 27Sinai agama
Image 28Green sea turtle
Image 29Eastern long-necked turtle
Image 30Rough chameleon
Image 31Namaqua chameleon
Image 32Morelia spilota
Image 33White-headed dwarf gecko
Image 34Anole at Polychrotinae
Image 35Plumed basilisk
Image 36Common collared lizard
Image 37Phelsuma grandis
Image 38Jackson's chameleon
Image 39Marine iguana
Image 40Green sea turtle
Image 41Barracudasauroides
Image 42Mwanza flat-headed rock agama
Image 43Gold dust day gecko close-up
Image 44Species of Ceratopsia dinosaurs
Image 45Plestiodon fasciatus
Image 46Mexican beaded lizard
Image 47Gold dust day gecko
Image 48 Albino alligator
Image 49Gold dust day gecko
Image 50Trachylepis maculilabris mating
Image 51Vipera dinniki
Image 52Red-headed Amazon River turtles
Image 53Bosc's fringe-toed lizards during courtship

Selected snake article

Calliophis bivirgatus is a species of snake in the family Elapidae known commonly as the blue coral snake or blue Malayan coral snake. It is native to Southeast Asia. (Full article...)