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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.[1] 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

Testudines – 4 families
Family	Common names	Example species	Example photo
Cheloniidae	Sea turtles	Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Dermochelyidae	Leatherback sea turtle	Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Chelidae	Austro-American side-necked turtles	Common snakeneck turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
Carettochelyidae	Pig-nosed turtle	Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)
Squamata – 12 families
Family	Common names	Example species	Example photo
Gekkonidae	Geckos	Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii)
Pygopodidae	Legless lizards	Burton's legless-lizard (Lialis burtonis)
Agamidae	dragon lizards	Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)
Varanidae	Monitors or goannas	Lace monitor (Varanus varius)
Scincidae	Skinks	Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis)
Typhlopidae	Blind snakes	Proximus blind snake (Ramphotyphlops proximus)	-
Pythonidae	Pythons	Green tree python (Morelia viridis)
Colubridae	Colubrid snakes	Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
Elapidae	-	Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus)
Hydrophiidae	Sea snakes	-	-
Laticaudidae	Sea kraits	-	-
Acrochordidae	File snakes	Arafura file snake (Acrochordus arafurae)
Crocodilia – 1 family
Family	Common names	Example species	Example photo
Crocodylidae	Crocodiles	Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)

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. ISBN 0-589-50356-1 [1979 and subsequent editions]
• Harold G. Cogger. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Revised edition 2014. ISBN 9780643100350
•  Australia portal
•  Reptiles portal

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