| Turtles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Order : Testudines (Turtles) | Family : Testudinidae (Tortoises) | ||
| Aldabran Tortoise |
These giant tortoises are native to a small atoll in the Indian Ocean.
|
Testudines | |
| Eastern Box Turtle |
Box turtles are the most common turtles in Virginia.
|
Eastern Box Turtle | |
| Eastern Snapping Turtle |
Snapping turtles hide in the mud so their prey won't notice their approach. |
Eastern Snapping Turtle | |
| Lizards | |||
| Suborder : Lacertilia (Lizards) | Family : Iguanidae (Iguanas) | ||
| Ruins Lizard |
Common in southern Italy, this lizard was photographed on a Greek column in Paestum. |
Typical Lizards | |
| Jesus Christ lizard |
I spotted this lizard near the Rio Sarapiqui, in the rainforest of Costa Rica. Basilisks are also called "Jesus Christ" lizards because they can walk on water. |
Three Basilisk Photos | |
| Black Iguana |
I saw many of these large lizards on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. They react to humans by bobbing their heads and hissing. |
Black Iguanas | |
| Fence Lizard |
Fence lizards can be seen on the summit of Halfmoon Mountain in West Virginia. |
Northern Fence Lizard | |
| Family : Varanidae (Monitor Lizards) | |||
| Komodo Dragon |
Komodo dragons are the largest known species of lizard |
Komodo Dragons at the National Zoo | |
| Snakes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Squamata | Suborder Serpens | ||
| Black Rat Snake | These non-venomous snakes are the most common in my region. | Black Rat Snake | |
| Coiled Snake |
I spotted this reptile early in the spring, in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was quite sluggish because of cool weather. |
Snakes of Virginia | |
| Crocodilians | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Crocodylia | Family Alligatoridae | ||
| Alligator |
This picture was taken in Washington DC. |
National Aquarium, Washington DC | |
