Reptiles
Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates that have scales layered over their skin. Common reptiles include lizards, snakes, alligators and crocodiles.
What Do Alligators Eat? Pretty Much Anything They Want
Nile Crocodile: Giant, Vicious and Surprisingly Social
So, the American Alligator Can Climb Trees ... How Terrifying
The Largest Anaconda Ever Found Weighed More Than a Gorilla
Saw-scaled Viper: Opportunistic, Fast and Highly Venomous
Inland Taipan: Most Venomous Snake in the World
A Giant Tortoise Lives in the 'Galápagos of the Indian Ocean'
Green Sea Turtle: Named for Its Fat, Not Its Scales or Shell
The Leatherback Sea Turtle Is the Size of a Small Car
Learn More / Page 3
The taipan snake is one of the most venomous snake species in the world, with an intimidating reputation and an arsenal of potent venom.
By Marie Look
The rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma) - sometimes called an eel moccasin or red-lined snake - is a nonvenomous snake. It has vibrant coloration and a specialized diet. Humans rarely see rainbow snakes (despite their striking appearance) because they spend much of their lives hidden in aquatic habitats.
By Yara Simón
The boa snake captivates reptile enthusiasts and researchers alike with its size, behavior and unique adaptations. Native to Central and South America, the large and heavy-bodied snake occupies a wide variety of habitats, from rainforests to arid regions.
By Marie Look
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Known for its striking blue coloration and incredible speed, the blue racer snake is found primarily in the Midwest. These snakes are nonvenomous and play an essential role in their ecosystems, helping to control populations of small mammals and other prey.
By Zach Taras
The worm snake might be one of the most elusive and curious creatures you've never seen. These small, fossorial snakes spend most of their lives underground or hidden in leaf litter, making them one of the more mysterious members of the reptile world.
The tiger snake, known for its distinctive banding and potent venom, is among the most venomous in the world. Found across various regions of southern Australia, including several offshore islands, tiger snakes have adapted to a wide range of environments, from wetlands to forests.
The pine snake is one of the most interesting and robust reptiles you'll find slithering through the pine woods and sandy soils of North America. Belonging to the species Pituophis melanoleucus, these nonvenomous snakes are known for their large size, powerful build and distinctive hissing sounds when threatened.
By Zach Taras
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Eastern brown snakes are among the most notorious venomous snakes in Australia. Known for their speed, agility and highly potent venom, these snakes are responsible for more snake bites in Australia than any other species.
By Zach Taras
Vipers are venomous snakes that belong to the scientific family Viperidae, which includes hundreds of species spread across multiple continents. Known for its potent viper venom, retractable fangs and deadly strikes, the viper snake family has evolved to thrive in diverse environments.
By Marie Look
Today, we're going to dive into the watery world of one of North America's most fascinating reptiles: the queen snake.
By Mack Hayden
An albino snake will stand out in its natural habitat. Unlike their non-albino counterparts, albino snakes have a genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the typical coloration in animals. This lack of melanin results in the distinctively pale or white skin and pink or red eyes that are the hallmarks of albinism.
By Yara Simón
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The bushmaster snake, belonging to the genus Lachesis, is one of the most remarkable and intimidating reptiles in the Western Hemisphere. As one of the longest and largest venomous snakes in the world, the bushmaster has earned a fearsome reputation.
By Zach Taras
Diamondback snakes, particularly the western and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, are some of the most iconic and recognizable venomous snakes in North America. Known for their distinctive diamond-shaped patterns and rattling tails, these snakes strike fear in many but play crucial roles in their ecosystems as both predators and prey.
By Yara Simón
Grass snakes are nonvenomous reptiles with distinctive markings. This common snake plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling amphibian populations and other prey.
By Yara Simón
The dragon snake (Xenodermus javanicus) is an elusive creature. Native to Southeast Asia, these snakes have distinctive rough, keeled scales and an almost mythical appearance, reminiscent of dragons.
By Yara Simón
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The name "black snake" might sound straightforward, but it actually covers a range of species found across the globe. These snakes come in all shapes and sizes, from small and sleek to long and powerful, and they thrive in habitats as diverse as wetlands and deserts.
The banded water snake is one of the most fascinating aquatic reptiles you'll find slithering through the waterways of the southeastern United States.
By Mack Hayden
Have you ever seen a snake in or near a river or pond? It was probably a water snake! These slithery swimmers are easy to spot anywhere the world gets a little wetter, particularly near freshwater.
By Mack Hayden
When you think of the word "anaconda," it probably conjures up images of massive, slithering serpents lurking in the waters of South America, right? Well, that's not too far off! The anaconda snake, scientifically known as Eunectes murinus, is the stuff of legends.
By Mack Hayden
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Brown snakes are some of the most common and diverse reptiles in the world. They come in a variety of sizes and levels of venomous potency, making them a group of wild snakes that's both interesting and important to study.
By Marie Look
Bull snakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi), sometimes generalized as gopher snakes, are among the largest and most powerful nonvenomous snakes in North America. The heavy-bodied bull snake is often mistaken for a rattlesnake due to its size and defensive behaviors, but it's completely harmless to humans.
By Marie Look
In North America, green snakes (genus Opheodrys) are some of the most fascinating and vibrant reptiles you may come across. These slender, emerald-colored snakes can perfectly blend into their leafy surroundings, making them masters of camouflage in their natural habitats. A green snake can play a key role in controlling insect populations and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
By Yara Simón
Adder snakes are some of the most fascinating and misunderstood reptiles in the world. Known for their distinctive patterns and venomous bites, adders belong to the viper family and are native to various parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.
By Marie Look
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The northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) is a common and widespread nonvenomous snake in North America. These aquatic snakes typically live in and around freshwater bodies - lakes, rivers and wetlands - where they play a crucial role in the ecosystem.
By Yara Simón
The sunbeam snake of the Xenopeltidae genus is one of the most visually stunning reptiles you'll ever encounter. These snakes, native to Southeast Asia, are known for their dark pigmentation and highly iridescent scales that shimmer with rainbow colors in sunlight.
By Mitch Ryan