Angelshark

Squatina squatina

The Angelshark is an ambush predator, relying on camouflage to surprise its prey.

Pig-nosed Turtle

Carettochelys insculpta

The pig-nosed turtle is prehistoric. This turtle diverged from all other species more than 140 million years ago.

Chinese Giant Salamander

Andrias davidianus

The largest amphibian in the world, this salamander can grow to the size of an adult human.

Pillar Coral

Dendrogyra cylindrus

Pillar coral possesses one of the most distinct morphologies of any coral.

Pygmy Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus pygmaeus

The smallest of the all the sloth species, the pygmy sloth was only described in 2001

Philippine Eagle

Pithecophaga jefferyi

The Philippine Eagle is one of the world’s largest, most powerful birds of prey.

TOP EDGE Reptiles

More about Reptiles

Madagascar Big-headed Turtle

Erymnochelys madagascariensis

The Critically Endangered Madagascar big-headed turtle is the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered reptile. In fact, this species has the highest EDGE score of any terrestrial vertebrate!

Conservation Attention

Good

Madagascan big-headed turtle - Ermynochelys madagascariensis Madagascan big-headed turtle - Ermynochelys madagascariensis

Central American River Turtle

Dermatemys mawii

The Critically Endangered Central American river turtle is the sole surviving species of an historically widespread family of turtles. However, the entire lineage is now restricted to parts of Belize, southern Mexico and Guatemala.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Central American River Turtle Central American River Turtle

Pig-nosed Turtle

Carettochelys insculpta

The pig-nosed turtle is the sole surviving member of its entire family, Carettochelyidae, and sits alone on a branch of the tree of life reaching back around 140 million years. That is more than 70 million years before the extinction of the dinosaurs!

Conservation Attention

Medium

Pig-nosed Turtle Pig-nosed Turtle

Madagascar blind snake

Xenotyphlops grandidieri

The Critically Endangered Madagascar blind snake is a tiny, worm-like snake unlike any other.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Madagascar blind snake, Xenotyphlops grandidieri - © Jörn Köhler Madagascar blind snake, Xenotyphlops grandidieri - © Jörn Köhler

Chinese Alligator

Alligator sinensis

The Critically Endangered Chinese alligator is the only species in its entire family found outside of the Americas. Its closest living relative is the famous American alligator.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Alligator sinensis - Shutterstock Alligator sinensis - Shutterstock

Chinese Crocodile Lizard

Shinisaurus crocodilurus

There are perhaps no more than 1,000 individuals of the Endangered Chinese crocodile lizard — which is found in southern China and northern Vietnam — remaining in the wild today.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Shinisaurus crocodilurus - shutterstock Shinisaurus crocodilurus - shutterstock

Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle

Chelodina mccordi

The Critically Endangered Roti Island snake-necked turtle is endemic to the island of Rote, Indonesia.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Dahl’s Toad-headed Turtle

Mesoclemmys dahli

The Critically Endangered Dahl’s toad-headed turtle is endemic to the dry forests of northern Colombia. This peculiar species is highly terrestrial and may even estivate during the dry season.

Conservation Attention

Low

Dahl's Toad-headed Turtle Dahl's Toad-headed Turtle

Hoge’s Toadhead Turtle

Mesoclemmys hogei

The Critically Endangered Hoge’s toadhead turtle is considered to be the most endangered species of turtle in Brazil.

Conservation Attention

Low

Western Short-necked Turtle

Pseudemydura umbrina

The Critically Endangered western short-necked turtle is reported to be Australia’s most endangered reptile. Following extensive loss of habitat, fewer than 20 adults remained in the 1980s.

Conservation Attention

Good

Western Short-necked Turtle Western Short-necked Turtle

Flattened Musk Turtle

Sternotherus depressus

The male flattened musk turtle can take up to 60 years to reach its maximum length of only just 12 cm! This tiny turtle is Critically Endangered following enormous declines in available habitat.

Conservation Attention

Low

Flattened Musk Turtle Flattened Musk Turtle

Flat-tailed Tortoise

Pyxis planicauda

The flat-tailed tortoise is the most range-restricted of all Madagscan spider tortoises, occupying an area less than 500 km2.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Flat-tailed Tortoise Flat-tailed Tortoise

Ploughshare Tortoise

Astrochelys yniphora

The Critically Endangered ploughshare tortoise is endemic to Madagascar, with a known range potentially as small as 25 km2! This large and attractive tortoise is one of the rarest tortoises on the planet.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Ploughshare Tortoise Ploughshare Tortoise

Radiated Tortoise

Astrochelys radiata

The Critically Endangered radiated tortoise is a large and striking species that may live up to 100 years of age! This species has a very long generation length (more than 40 years), making it particularly susceptible to rapid population declines.

Conservation Attention

Good

Radiated Tortoise Radiated Tortoise

Spider Tortoise

Pyxis arachnoides

The spider tortoise is a small and attractive tortoise endemic to southwestern Madagascar. Sadly, populations have been in precipitous decline due to habitat loss, collection for the international pet trade and for consumption.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Spider Tortoise Spider Tortoise

Hawksbill Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

Despite the Hawksbill turtle being a truly global species, females show the incredible behaviour of natal homing, returning to their original breeding grounds due to ‘breeding ground fidelity’.

Conservation Attention

Good

Hawksbill Turtle Hawksbill Turtle

Gharial

Gavialis gangeticus

The Critically Endangered gharial is an unmistakable crocodile on the brink of extinction. It has long, thin jaws which it uses to catch fish and males have a large, bulbous growth, known as a ‘ghara’, on the tip of their snout.

Conservation Attention

Good

Gharial Gharial

Magdalena River Turtle

Podocnemis lewyana

The Critically Endangered Magdalena River turtle is endemic to northwestern Colombia, where it has undergone mass population declines of over 80% in less than 25 years.

Conservation Attention

Low

Magdalena River Turtle Magdalena River Turtle

Big-headed Turtle

Platysternon megacephalum

As its name suggests, the big-headed turtle has a disproportionately large head compared to its small body. Its head is so large, in fact, that it cannot be retracted into its shell!

Conservation Attention

Low

Big-headed Turtle Big-headed Turtle

Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle

Rafetus swinhoei

The enormous Yangtze giant softshell turtle is the world’s rarest turtle, with only three individuals thought to remain in the world. These extraordinary turtles are teetering on the brink of extinction.

Conservation Attention

Good

Yangtze giant softshell turtle Yangtze giant softshell turtle

Asian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle

Chitra chitra

The spectacular Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle may be the world’s largest freshwater turtle, growing to over 1.2 metres in length and weighing up to 254 kilograms!

Conservation Attention

Medium

Asian narrow headed softshell turtle Asian narrow headed softshell turtle

Union Island Gecko

Gonatodes daudini

The entire population of the Union Island gecko occupies an area around 0.5 km2 — that’s the area of just seven football pitches! This incredibly tiny distribution means the Union Island gecko is especially vulnerable to habitat degradation and loss, as it cannot move into other suitable habitat.

Conservation Attention

Good

Union Island Gecko ©Amybruninganimation.com Union Island Gecko ©Amybruninganimation.com

Gonatodes infernalis

Gonatodes infernalis

Gonatodes infernalis is estimated to live in just 8km² near the city of Puerto Ayacucho, Venezuela.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Bojer’s Skink

Gongylomorphus bojerii

The Critically Endangered Bojer’s skink was once widespread across Mauritius and its surrounding islands. However, due to predation by invasive wolf snakes and musk shrews, this distinctive skink is now only found on several small islets of Mauritius.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Bojer's skink Bojer's skink

Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas

The green turtle is a truly global species, occurring across the tropics and subtropics. Females show the incredible behaviour of natal homing, returning to the beaches where they hatched to lay their own eggs!

Conservation Attention

Good

Green Turtle Green Turtle

Pulau Tioman Dibamid Lizard

Dibamus tiomanensis

As a defensive behaviour, the Pulau Tioman dibamid lizard makes itself look wrinkled by flaring the outer dorsal scales mimicking the syntopic toxic earthworm.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Marbled Gecko

Oedodera marmorata

Very little is known about the marbled gecko, and there is neither data on population size and trends for this species nor any known areas where this species is common.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Marbled Gecko Marbled Gecko

Big-headed Amazon River Turtle

Peltocephalus dumerilianus

The big-headed Amazon River turtle is known locally as the “Cabezón”, which means ‘big-headed’ or ‘stubborn’. This species is one of the most understudied species of turtle in South America, despite being an important food resource for people living in Amazonia.

Conservation Attention

Low

Big-headed Amazon River Turtle Big-headed Amazon River Turtle

Pritchard’s Snake-necked Turtle

Chelodina pritchardi

The Endangered Pritchard’s snake-necked turtle is one of very few species of turtle endemic to Papua New Guinea.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Bell’s Sawshelled Turtle

Myuchelys bellii

Bell’s sawshelled turtle, also known as Bell’s snapping turtle, is one of four species of the genus Myuchelys which split from all other reptiles almost 30 million years ago.

Conservation Attention

Good

Chaco Side-necked Turtle

Acanthochelys pallidipectoris

The Chaco side-necked turtle is endemic to arid regions of the Gran Chaco of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Chaco Side-necked Turtle Chaco Side-necked Turtle

Mary River Turtle

Elusor macrurus

This strange turtle is one of several species of cloaca-breathing turtles, which breathe underwater using specialised glands in their reproductive organs. This allows individuals to remain submerged for up to 72 hours.

Conservation Attention

Low

Mary River Turtle Mary River Turtle

Goniurosaurus huuliensis

Goniurosaurus huuliensis

Goniurosaurus huuliensis is a very rare species that is known from a single location in Viet Nam, in isolated karst mountains.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Yamashina’s Ground Gecko

Goniurosaurus yamashinae

Yamashina’s ground gecko lives in an area of just 60km² and is confined to a single island (Kumejima), part of Japan.

Conservation Attention

Low

Newman’s Knob-scaled Lizard

Xenosaurus newmanorum

This prehistoric-looking lizard is part of an ancient family, Xenosauridae, which diverged from all other living reptiles more than 85 million years ago.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Xenosaurus newmanorum Xenosaurus newmanorum

Williams’ Dwarf Gecko

Lygodactylus williamsi

The Critically Endangered Williams’ dwarf gecko is characterised by a distinct sexual dichromatism: males have a bright and vibrant turquoise-blue body while females are greenish-bronze.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Williams' Dwarf Gecko Williams' Dwarf Gecko

Paroedura lohatsara

Paroedura lohatsara

Paroedura lohatsara is named after the Malagasy words “Loha” which means head and “tsara” which means beautiful.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Paroedura lohatsara Paroedura lohatsara

Rhampholeon hattinghi

Rhampholeon hattinghi

Rhampholeon hattinghi is one of many pygmy chameleons found in East Africa. These chameleons diverged from all reptiles more than 40 million years ago.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Rhampholeon hattinghi Rhampholeon hattinghi

Lygodactylus mirabilis

Lygodactylus mirabilis

This range-restricted gecko occurs in two colour variants: one with speckles and one with stripes, but all have yellow bellies.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Reyes’ Caribbean Gecko

Aristelliger reyesi

Reyes’ Caribbean Gecko lives in just one location that is only 21km²

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Phyllurus kabikabi

Phyllurus kabikabi

This species is part of the genus Phyllurus or Australian leaf-tailed geckos. These geckos are notable for their highly effective camouflage which is boosted by tubercles that cover their bodies.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Desperate Leaf Chameleon

Brookesia desperata

The scientific name desperata is derived from the Latin “desperatus,” meaning “desperate”, reflecting the desperate state of this species’ future.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Desperate Leaf Chameleon, Female Brookesia desperata Desperate Leaf Chameleon, Female Brookesia desperata

Zong’s Odd-scaled Snake

Achalinus jinggangensis

Zong’s odd-scaled snake is a member of the primitive family Xenodermidae, which diverged from all other living snakes some 8 million years before the extinction of the dinosaurs!

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Colombian Dwarf Gecko

Lepidoblepharis miyatai

Following its discovery in 1964, the Colombian dwarf gecko had not been seen again until a new population was recently discovered more than 100 km from the original location.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Colombian dwarf gecko Colombian dwarf gecko

West African Slender-snouted Crocodile

Mecistops cataphractus

The West African slender-snouted crocodile is known for its unmistakable long and slender snout, which lacks any bony ridges.

Conservation Attention

Medium

Nguru Pygmy Chameleon

Rhampholeon acuminatus

The Nguru Pygmy Chameleon is an incredibly small species that grows to only around 5.7 cm long!

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Nguru Pygmy Chameleon Nguru Pygmy Chameleon

‘Eua Forest Gecko

Lepidodactylus euaensis

The ‘Eua Forest gecko is an island endemic in Tonga and, despite extensive surveys on other islands, no additional populations of this species have been found.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Uroplatus guentheri

Uroplatus guentheri

Leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus have spectacular camouflage, remaining motionless on forest branches during the day before becoming active hunters after dark.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Uroplatus guentheri Uroplatus guentheri

Uroplatus malahelo

Uroplatus malahelo

Leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus have spectacular camouflage, remaining motionless on forest branches during the day before becoming active hunters after dark.

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Pronk’s day gecko

Phelsuma pronki

Phelsuma pronki is one of the smallest species of day gecko in the genus Phelsuma, reaching a total length of just 11 cm, including their tail!

Conservation Attention

Very Low

Phelsuma pronki Phelsuma pronki