thumb|right|The [[perentie (Varanus giganteus) is Australia's largest lizard.]]

The non-avian reptiles of Australia are a diverse group of animals, widely distributed across the continent. Three of the four reptile orders are represented: Testudines, Squamata and Crocodilia. The only missing extant order is Sphenodontia, containing the tuataras, which are endemic to New Zealand. Australia has over 860 species, a large number in comparison to other continents; for example, North America's total is about 280. The most species-rich group is Squamata, the snakes and lizards. They are especially diverse in the arid areas of Australia, where other fauna are scarcer. Spinifex grass is a major habitat which allows them to remain in a relatively cool, moist area.

Australia has a large array of reptiles which can be dangerous to humans. The world's largest reptile, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), is native to the continent's north coastal area.

Australian reptile families

{| class="wikitable"

|colspan="100%" align="center" bgcolor="#BBBBFF"|Testudines – 4 families

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!Family!!Common names!!Example species!!Example photo

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|Cheloniidae||Sea turtles||Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)||110px|

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|Dermochelyidae||Leatherback sea turtle||Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)||110px|

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|Chelidae||Austro-American side-necked turtles||Common snakeneck turtle (Chelodina longicollis)||110px|

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|Carettochelyidae||Pig-nosed turtle||Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)||110px|

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|colspan="100%" align="center" bgcolor="#BBBBFF"|Squamata – 12 families

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!Family!!Common names!!Example species!!Example photo

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|Gekkonidae||Geckos||Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii)||110px|

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|Pygopodidae||Legless lizards||Burton's legless-lizard (Lialis burtonis)||110px|

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|Agamidae||dragon lizards||Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)||110px|

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|Varanidae||Monitors or goannas||Lace monitor (Varanus varius)||110px|

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|Scincidae||Skinks||Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis)||110px|

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|Typhlopidae||Blind snakes||Proximus blind snake (Ramphotyphlops proximus)|| -

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|Pythonidae||Pythons||Green tree python (Morelia viridis)||110px|

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|Colubridae||Colubrid snakes ||Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)||110px|

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|Elapidae|| - ||Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus)||110px|

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|Hydrophiidae||Sea snakes|| - || -

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|Laticaudidae||Sea kraits|| - || -

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|Acrochordidae||File snakes ||Arafura file snake (Acrochordus arafurae)||110px|

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|colspan="100%" align="center" bgcolor="#BBBBFF"|Crocodilia – 1 family

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!Family!!Common names!!Example species!!Example photo

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|Crocodylidae||Crocodiles||Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)||110px|

|}

See also

  • List of reptiles of Tasmania
  • List of reptiles of Western Australia
  • List of Australian and Antarctic dinosaurs

References

  • Harold G. Cogger. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney, AH & AW Reed. Revised edition, 1983. [1979 and subsequent editions]
  • Harold G. Cogger. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Revised edition 2014.