Reptiles

Gliding through the canopies of southeast Asia, the paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) cuts a striking figure.

By Nico Avelle

If you're a fan of reptiles, you've probably asked yourself, what do lizards eat? With over 7,000 known lizard species on Earth, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some lizards eat only insects, others go for plant matter — and a few go full-on omnivore, chomping on both.

By Nico Avelle

The Arabian sand boa has mastered the art of living beneath the sand. Found slithering (or, more accurately, burrowing) across the Arabian Peninsula, its ability to stay nearly invisible — with just its eyes peeking above the sand — makes it one of the sneakiest hunters in the desert.

By Mack Hayden

Alligators are some of nature’s oldest prehistoric predators. But what do alligators eat, and what is an alligator's natural prey?

By Talon Homer

Whether they're prowling the forest floor or basking in the sun, big lizards are fascinating creatures. They come in all shapes and sizes, with some being land-dwelling behemoths and others being arboreal species that rule the treetops.

By Yara Simón

The green anaconda — scientific name Eunectes murinus — is the heaviest snake species on our planet. These colossal serpents slither through the waterways of South America, captivating our imaginations with their immense size and power.

By Yara Simón

Australia's thorny devil, Moloch horridus, looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. You might not be surprised that it's also called the "devil lizard" or "mountain devil."

By Ada Tseng

The marine iguana is found only in the Galápagos Islands. From their sleek swimming skills underwater to their clumsy movements on land, they're perfectly adapted to their marine environment.

By Zach Taras

By the time the oldest human dies, odds are there's a giant tortoise out there somewhere who'll live twice as long as they did. Hailing from the Indian Ocean and the Galapagos islands, giant tortoises have been one of the most durable and long-living species for centuries upon centuries.

By Mack Hayden

Lizards are some of the most diverse and fascinating creatures on the planet. There are so many types of reptiles that come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes and colors, from worm-sized snakes and tiny turtles to gargantuan crocodiles and giant monitor lizards that could pass for modern-day dinosaurs.

By Mack Hayden

If you've ever seen a lizard running across the surface of water, you've likely witnessed the amazing basilisk lizard in action. This stunning feat earned the basilisk the nickname "Jesus Christ lizard." Like the founder of Christianity, this slithery critter can walk across lakes and seas.

By Mack Hayden

The Galapagos tortoise is one of the most iconic reptiles on Earth, and for good reason. These gentle giants are the largest tortoises in the world, living on the Galápagos Islands and playing a key role in their ecosystems.

By Karina Ryan

Did you know green iguanas have a third eye and can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) long?

By Ada Tseng

The green sea turtle is among the most elegant marine creatures cruising through our oceans. Known for their gentle demeanor and striking appearance, these marine turtles are vital to ocean ecosystems, especially their marine turtle habitat in coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

By Desiree Bowie

Found across Africa, these aquatic giants are known for their incredible hunting abilities, remarkable parenting instincts. To be honest, their ability to make us glad we're not in their neighborhood!

By Zach Taras

Found only in Indonesia, the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) roams the rugged terrain of islands like Komodo Island and within Komodo National Park, a protected sanctuary for these unique reptiles.

By Mack Hayden

The leatherback sea turtle is the heavyweight of the sea turtle world ... literally. This sea turtle species can grow as long as a small car and weighing over half a ton!

By Mack Hayden

The American alligator is the second-largest reptile in North America, falling just slightly behind its cousin, the American crocodile.

By Mitch Ryan

The Indian saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is one of the most infamous and dangerous Indian snakes. These venomous snakes are known for their speed, aggression and powerful venom, which makes them one of the deadliest snakes to humans.

By Mitch Ryan

Today, we're diving into the world of the most venomous snake on the planet: the inland taipan. This slithery predator isn't just the most dangerous in terms of venom strength; it's also a highly specialized creature that has adapted to life in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

By Nicole Antonio

The saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, is the largest living reptile on Earth, and it rules the waters from northern Australia to Southeast Asia. These massive reptiles are often called "salties" and can grow to incredible sizes, with large male saltwater crocodiles sometimes reaching lengths of up to 7 meters (23 feet).

By Talon Homer

At first glance, the coral snake vs. king snake distinction can seem borderline impossible. But these two reptiles are worlds apart in terms of how they live, hunt and defend themselves.

By Yara Simón

Let’s talk about one slithery critter that's made quite a name for itself: the brown tree snake. These sneaky reptiles may look like your average snake, but they've caused a big stir in some unexpected places.

By Mack Hayden

Slender as a twig and perfectly camouflaged in trees, the vine snake is an adaptable reptile. They live in some of the most lush and vibrant environments, including the forests of South America.

By Yara Simón

The plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) is a sleek, semiaquatic snake that inhabits central North America. They thrive in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, making them highly adaptable predators.

By Yara Simón