Reptile & Amphibian Encyclopedia — 80 Species Directory

A massive, heavyset frog nicknamed the sumo of frogs. With a robust olive-green body and a very wide mouth, it is hardy and long-lived. It is a different species from the regulated American bullfrog and is legal to keep.

An arboreal boa from South America. Rich color variation including garden phase and colored phases.

Large boa from Central/South America. Grows larger than ball pythons but relatively docile. Morph variety increasing. Colombian boa recommended for beginners.

Medium-sized python from Australia. Beautiful patterns and manageable size. Color varies greatly among subspecies.

Beautiful cave-dwelling gecko with black body and red or yellow bands. Similar care to leopard geckos but prefers cooler, more humid conditions. Nocturnal rock-hider.

A small New Caledonian gecko with crocodile-like scales. Related to crested gecko.

Diurnal bright green gecko from Madagascar. Entertaining active behavior. Best kept as display animal.

A Central American lizard with beautiful emerald green males. Unusual viviparous species giving live birth.

A European salamander with glossy black skin boldly marked in bright yellow, one of the most widely kept tailed amphibians. It prefers cool conditions and secretes a skin toxin, so handle it with care.

A gecko with body flaps enabling gliding. Characterized by flat body mimicking tree bark.

A Mediterranean tortoise with a tan shell marked in black: hardy, adaptable, and, alongside the Russian tortoise, a classic beginner tortoise. It is listed on CITES Appendix II.

A beautiful Indian tortoise with radial star patterns on shell. Small and manageable but needs high humidity.

An Indonesian blue tongue skink. Often smaller and darker than Australian species.

A chameleon with three horns. From East Africa, relatively easy to keep as a beginner chameleon.

Europe's largest lacertid lizard. Vivid green body with jewel-like blue spots. Active and requires spacious enclosure. Prefers dry Mediterranean climate.

The world's largest gecko, reaching 35-40 cm. Prized for its massive build, plush texture, and low vocalizations, it hails from New Caledonia like the crested and gargoyle geckos.