Reptiles
Reptiles are cold-blooded, usually egg-laying vertebrates (animals with backbones). Their skin is covered with scales or plates. Unlike mammal young, which are dependent upon their mothers for some time after birth, most reptiles are independent from day one.
There are more than 6,500 reptile species. Below is the list of reptiles on regular view at the Zoo or shown through Animals & You presentations.
Aldabra Tortoise
The Aldabra tortoise is among the longest living animals on earth with a lifespan of 150 years or more.
American Alligator
Early in the day, American alligators often bask on the shoreline to raise their body temperature.
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
More information coming soon!
Armenian Viper
More information coming soon!
Baja Ratsnake
The secretive and nocturnal ratsnake is nonvenomous and lives in the dry, rocky habitats of Baja California, Mexico.
Boelen’s Python
More information coming soon!
Boyd’s Forest Dragon
More information coming soon!
Butaan (Gray’s Monitor)
Until its rediscovery in the 1980s, this monitor lizard species was believed to be extinct.
Caiman Lizard
More information coming soon!
California Desert Tortoise
California’s official state reptile is the largest reptile in the Southwestern states and native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Surviving in habitat where summer temperatures can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more requires special adaptations.
California Kingsnake
Why are these snakes kings? These non-venomous snakes eat their competition for lunch.
Cape Cobra
More information coming soon!
Chuckwalla
More information coming soon!
Desert Iguana
The desert iguana is one of the most common lizards in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.
Dwarf Caiman
The dwarf caiman is the smallest member of the alligator family. Hunting at night, these lizards drift along with only their eyes and nostrils above water, moving silently.
Ethiopian Mountain Adder
More information coming soon!
European Long-nosed Viper
More information coming soon!
Fly River Turtle
This turtle’s lineage stretches back 70 million years to the Eocene period before dinosaurs became extinct.
Gaboon Viper
One of the world’s largest and heaviest vipers, the Gaboon viper also has the longest fangs of any venomous snake, often measuring two inches long or more and folding up against the roof of the snake’s mouth when not in use.
Giant Horned Lizard
More information coming soon!
Gila Monster
The genus name Heloderma comes from Greek, meaning “studded skin,” and refers to these lizards’ bead-like scales that do not overlap.
Gopher Snake
This nonvenomous snake’s diet includes moles, rats, mice, and, of course, gophers.
Green Mamba
They are primarily solitary creatures and, luckily, they seldom come into contact with humans.
Green Tree Python
Green tree pythons live in the rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. This arboreal snake has many adaptations that make it a successful tree dweller.
Grey-banded Kingsnake
More information coming soon!
Indian Gharial
The gharial is the only surviving member of a group of animals that arose in the Cretaceous period, about 144–65 million years ago.
Komodo Dragon
The world’s largest lizard has a reputation for having a deadly bite.
Madagascar Giant Day Gecko
These living jewels are bright emerald-green with scattered red lines and spots.
Madagascar Radiated Tortoise
More information coming soon!
Mangrove Viper
More information coming soon!
Mangshan Pit Viper
The Chinese mountain range where this viper is found was given the name Mangshan due to its snake-like shape.
Merten’s Water Monitor
More information coming soon!
Mexican Beaded Lizard
This lizard shares many characteristics with its close relative, the more famous Gila monster.
Painted Terrapin
More information coming soon!
Perentie
More information coming soon!
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes are easily identified by their broad, triangular heads and the rattles at the ends of their tails. The rattles consist of hollow segments of keratin (the same substance as human hair and nails) that fit loosely together so that when the snake shakes its tail, they produce a distinctive sound.
Rosy Boa
Rosy boas are constrictor snakes that can be found in the rocky shrublands, deserts, and national parks of Southern California.
Rough-Scaled Python
More information coming soon!
Saharan Horned Viper
More information coming soon!
South American Bushmaster
The bite of the bushmaster is one of the deadliest snake bites in the world with a high mortality rate even with treatment.
Temple Viper
More information coming soon!
Tomistoma (False Gharial)
This crocodilian from Southeast Asia has a long narrow snout with up to 84 interlocking teeth, an adaptation for catching fish.