Reptiles That Are Endangered

Hundreds of reptiles are endangered in the world today. Scientists believe that many undiscovered reptiles have became extinct without ever being classified. Endangered means that the species is in danger of becoming extinct. A species becomes endangered for a number of reasons, including habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution and disease.

  1. American Crocodile

    • The American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, is the only crocodile native to the United States of America. They are found in South Florida, and also live in 16 other countries, including Belize, Haiti and Jamaica. The American crocodile is listed as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The recent numbers in Florida show that between 500 and 1,200 American crocodiles still remain in Florida. The main causes of endangerment are illegal hunting and habitat destruction.

    Tuatara

    • Two species of tuatara are recognized, Sphenodon punctatus and Sphenodon guntheri. Tuataras live on islands off of the coast of New Zealand, and are extinct on the mainland. Although they look like lizards, they are not, and actually belong to the order Sphenodontia. A principle cause of endangerment of the tuatara is the introduction of the pacific rat by Polynesian settlers in 1250 to 1300. The pacific rat eats the tuatara's eggs and kills young tuataras.

    Komodo Dragon

    • The Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is the world's largest lizard. They can grow to lengths of over 10 feet and weigh over 300 lbs. The Komodo dragon is native to islands of Indonesia, including Komodo island, from where it get its name. They are strictly carnivorous and will scavenge animals that have already died, as well as kill their own prey. The causes of endangerment for Komodo dragons include hunting, habitat loss and lack of available food sources.

    Galapagos Tortoise

    • The Galapagos tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus, is a species of giant tortoise native to the Galapagos Islands. An adult male Galapagos tortoise can weigh up to 500 lbs. This tortoise is very long lived, and while the exact lifespan is unknown, they are estimated to live between 100 and 150 years. Galapagos tortoise numbers first started to dwindle in the 17th century, when pirates and whalers would capture and eat them. Competition with local cattle and becoming prey to wild dogs, rats and pigs threaten the Galapagos tortoise in current times.