Reptiles Encyclopedia

Crocodile

Crocodile — A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae (sometimes classified instead as the subfamily Crocodylinae). The term can also be used more loosely to include all members of the order Crocodilia: i.e. the true crocodiles, the alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae) and the gharials (family Gavialidae), or even the Crocodylomorpha which includes prehistoric crocodile relatives and …

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Copperhead

Copperhead — The Copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the eastern US. It is also known by the name “Highland Moccasin.” As a species, it belongs to the genus “Agkistrodon” which also includes the Cottonmouth, also known as the “Water Moccasin”. Copperheads are usually colorful and strikingly patterned snakes. They derive their name from the copper-like coloring …

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Chicken Turtle

Chicken Turtle — The Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) is an uncommon freshwater turtle found in the southeast of the United States. They are similar in appearance to the Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta), but have an unusually long, striped neck with a yellow stripe on both the forelegs and rear legs. It has a distinguishable net-like pattern on its …

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Chameleon

Chameleon — Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are squamates that belong to one of the best-known lizard families. The name “chameleon” means “Earth lion” and is derived from the Greek words chamai (on the ground, on the earth) and leon (lion). Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with total length from approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in Brookesia minima, to …

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Boomslang

Boomslang — A boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a relatively small, venomous colubrid snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is currently the only species in its genus, although several species and subspecies have been described in the past. Its name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch. It is thought to be closely related to members of the genera Thelotornis, Thrasops, …

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