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Introduction

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Selected reptile type

Male gharial

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as gavial or fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodilians. Mature females are 2.6 to 4.5 m (8 ft 6 in to 14 ft 9 in) long, and males 3 to 6 m (9 ft 10 in to 19 ft 8 in). Adult males have a distinct boss at the end of the snout, which resembles an earthenware pot known as a ghara, hence the name "gharial". The gharial is well adapted to catching fish because of its long, narrow snout and 110 sharp, interlocking teeth.

The gharial probably evolved in the northern Indian subcontinent. Fossil gharial remains were excavated in Pliocene deposits in the Sivalik Hills and the Narmada River valley. It currently inhabits rivers in the plains of the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. It is the most thoroughly aquatic crocodilian, and leaves the water only for basking and building nests on moist sandbanks. Adults mate at the end of the cold season. Females congregate in spring to dig nests, in which they lay 20–95 eggs. They guard the nests and the young, which hatch before the onset of the monsoon. The hatchlings stay and forage in shallow water during their first year, but move to sites with deeper water as they grow.

The wild gharial population has declined drastically since the 1930s and is limited to only 2% of its historical range today. Conservation programmes initiated in India and Nepal focused on reintroducing captive-bred gharials since the early 1980s. Loss of habitat because of sand mining and conversion to agriculture, depletion of fish resources and detrimental fishing methods continue to threaten the population. It has been listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2007. (Full article...)

Selected Crocodilia article

In Llanos, Venezuela

The spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), also known as the white caiman, common caiman, and speckled caiman, is a crocodilian in the family Alligatoridae. It is brownish-, greenish-, or yellowish-gray colored and has a spectacle-like ridge between its eyes, which is where its common name come from. It grows to a length of 1.4–2.5 m (4 ft 7 in – 8 ft 2 in) and a weight of 7–40 kg (15–88 lb), with males being both longer and heavier than females. Its diet varies seasonally, commonly consisting of crabs, fish, small mammals, amphibians and snails. Breeding occurs from May to August and 14–40 eggs are laid in July and August. This crocodilian has a large range and population; it is native to much of Latin America, and has been introduced to the United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. (Full article...)

Selected lizard article

Rhacodactylus leachianus, commonly known as the New Caledonian giant gecko, Leach's giant gecko, leachianus gecko, or simply Leachie, is the largest living species of gecko and a member of the family Diplodactylidae. It is native to most of New Caledonia. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

Emydura victoriae, also known commonly as the red-faced turtle, Victoria short-necked turtle and Victoria River turtle, is a species of medium-sized aquatic turtle in the family Chelidae. The species inhabits rivers, streams and permanent water bodies across much of northern Australia. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

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

Selected snake article

Rhabdophis subminiatus, commonly called the red-necked keelback or red-necked keelback snake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. (Full article...)