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Reptiles at the National Zoo

Note: Individuals of these species may be out of public view from time to time. We're sorry for any inconvenience.

Class Reptilia

Order Chelonia, Suborder Cryptodira (Hidden-necked turtles)

Family Chelydridae (Snapping turtles)

Macroclemys temminckii - Alligator snapping turtle

Family Emydidae, Subfamily Emydinae (New World pond turtles and terrapins))

Terrapene carolina Carolina - Eastern box turtle

Family Kinosternidae (Musk and mud turtles)

Sternotherus odoratus - Stinkpot turtle

Family Testudinidae (Tortoises)

Geochelone carbonaria - South American red-footed tortoise
Geochelone gigantean - Aldabra tortoise
Geochelone pardalis - Leopard tortoise
Geochelone radiata - Radiated tortoise
Malacochersus tornieri - African pancake tortoise

Family Trionychidae, Subfamily Cyclanorbinae (Soft-shelled turtles)

Lissemys punctata - Indian flapshelled turtle

Family Trionychidae, Subfamily Trionychinae (Soft-shelled turtles)

Trionyx ferox - Florida softshelled turtle

Order Chelonia, Suborder Pleurodira (Side-neck turtles)

Family Chelidae (Snake-neck turtles)

Chelodina longicollis - Australian snake-necked turtle
Chelus fimbriatus - Matamata

Family Pelomedusidae (Helmeted side neck turtles)

Podocnemis unifilis - Yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle

Order Crocodylia (Crocodiles, alligators, caiman, and the gharial)

Family Crocodylidae, Subfamily Alligatorinae (Alligators and caiman)

Alligator mississippiensis - American alligator
Paleosuchus palpebrosus - Dwarf caiman

Family Crocodylidae, Subfamily Crocodylinae (Crocodiles)

Crocodylus johnstoni - Johnson's crocodile
Crocodylus novaeguineae mindorensis - Philippine crocodile
Crocodylus rhombifer - Cuban crocodile

Family Gavialidae (Gharial)

Gavialis gangeticus - Gharial or gavial

Order Squamata, Suborder Sauria

Family Agamidae (Water dragons and frilled lizards)

Physignathus cocincinus - Asian water dragon
Pogona vitticeps - Inland bearded dragon

Family Anguidae (Glass and alligator lizards)

Ophisaurus apodus - European glass lizard

Family Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons)

Chamaeleo pardalis - Panther chameleon

Family Cordylidae (Girdle-tailed lizards)

Gerrhosaurus validus - African plated lizard

Family Gekkonidae (Geckos)

Eublepharis macularius - Leopard gecko
Gekko gecko - Tokay gecko
Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis - Madagascar giant day gecko

Family Helodermatidae (Beaded lizards)

Heloderma suspectum - Gila monster

Family Iguanidae (Iguanas)

Anolis equestris - Knight anole
Basiliscus plumifrons - Green crested basilisk
Cyclura nubila lewisi - Grand Cayman iguana
Iguana iguana - Green iguana

Family Scincidae (Skinks)

Tiliqua scincoides intermedia - Northern blue-tongued skink

Family Varanidae (Monitor lizards)

Varanus komodoensis - Komodo monitor

Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes (Snakes)

Family Boidae, Subfamily Boinae (Boas)

Boa constrictor - Boa constrictor
Corallus caninus - Emerald tree boa
Corallus enydris enydris - Amazonian tree boa
Epicrates cenchria cenchria - Brazilian rainbow boa
Eunectes murinus - Green anaconda
Sanzinia madagascariensis - Madagascar tree boa

Family Boidae, Subfamily Pythoninae (Pythons)

Chondropython viridis - Green tree python
Python molurus bivittatus - Burmese python

Family Colubridae (Rear-fanged snakes)

Boiga dendrophila - Mangrove snake
Boiga irregularis - Brown cat snake
Elaphe guttata guttata - Cornsnake
Elaphe obsoleta obsolete - Black ratsnake
Erpeton tentaculatum - Tentacled snake
Hydrodynastes gigas - False water cobra
Lampropeltis getulus getulus - Eastern kingsnake
Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae - Sinaloan milksnake
Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus - Northern pine snake
Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus - Rufous-beaked snake

Family Elapidae (Cobras, kraits, coral snakes, and sea snakes)

Naja haje annulifera - Banded Egyptian cobra
Ophiophagus hannah - King cobra

Family Viperidae, Subfamily Crotalinae (Pit vipers)

Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson - Northern copperhead
Agkistrodon piscivorus - Cottonmouth
Bothrops schlegeli - Eyelash viper
Crotalus horridus - Timber rattlesnake

Family Viperidae, Subfamily Viperinae (Vipers)

Bitis gabonica rhinoceros - West African gaboon viper