Yellow-footed Tortoise

Reptiles > Turtles & Tortoises

The Yellow-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus), also celebrated throughout South America as the Brazilian giant tortoise or *morrocoy*, is a colossal, ancient forest chelonian native to the dense, humid rainforest canopies of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. As...

Bearded Pygmy Chameleon

Reptiles > Lizards

The Bearded Pygmy Chameleon (Rieppeleon brevicaudatus), belonging to the specialized pygmy chameleon family Chamaeleonidae, is a captivating, miniature terrestrial squamate endemic to the ancient, isolated mountain cloud forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Measuring barely...

Gold Dust Day Gecko

Reptiles > Lizards

The Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda), belonging to the true gecko family Gekkonidae, is widely celebrated among herpetologists and nature enthusiasts as one of the most brilliantly colored, jewel-like reptiles on Earth. Native to the lush tropical coastal...

African Fat-tailed Gecko

Reptiles > Lizards

The African Fat-tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a docile, nocturnal terrestrial squamate native to the semi-arid savannas and dry scrub belts of West Africa. Belonging to the primitive eyelid gecko family Eublepharidae—a unique branch of gecko evolution...

Ackie Dwarf Monitor

Reptiles > Lizards

The Ackie Dwarf Monitor (Varanus acanthurus), famously celebrated as the spiny-tailed monitor or ridge-tailed monitor, is a medium-sized, highly charismatic carnivorous lizard native to the arid rocky outback of northern and western Australia. Belonging to the monitor...

Crocodile Skink

Reptiles > Lizards

The Crocodile Skink (Tribolonotus gracilis), more precisely known as the Red-eyed Crocodile Skink, is an astonishing, dragon-like miniature squamate endemic to the wet tropical rainforests of New Guinea. Belonging to the skink family Scincidae, this secretive reptile...

New Caledonian Giant Gecko

Reptiles > Lizards

The New Caledonian Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus), affectionately known to reptile enthusiasts worldwide as the ‘Leachie,’ reigns undisputed as the largest, heaviest, and most formidable extant gecko species on planet Earth. Endemic exclusively to...

Emerald Tree Monitor

Reptiles > Lizards

The Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus), celebrated among herpetologists as the green tree monitor, is universally acclaimed as one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous, agile, and anatomically specialized arboreal lizards in the world. Native to the steaming, lush...

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

Reptiles > Lizards

The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis), also celebrated as the black iguana or ctenosaur, is a large, heavily scaled, and astonishingly swift lizard native to the tropical dry forests and sun-drenched coastal lowlands of Mexico and Central America. Famous...

Savannah Monitor

Reptiles > Lizards

The Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus), also known as Bosc’s monitor, is a stout, heavy-bodied, and formidable varanid lizard native to the sun-baked savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Renowned for its robust anatomy, calm temperament...