List of reptiles of Australia

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

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.

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[]

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	-	-
	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[]

• List of reptiles of Tasmania
• List of reptiles of Western Australia
• List of Australian and Antarctic dinosaurs

References[]

• Harold G. Cogger. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney, AH & 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

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