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Biodiversity of the reptile genera of South Africa  excl. introduced, extinct, unconfirmed, and unnamed species |
Species |
Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
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| Worm Lizards (Amphisbaenia) | ||||
| Family Amphisbaenidae (Typical Worm Lizards) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Chirindia (Pink Round-headed Worm Lizards) | 2 | 1 | 50.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Dalophia (Blunt-tailed Worm Lizards) | 2 | 1 | 50.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Monopeltis (Spade-snouted Worm Lizards) | 6 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.5 % |
| Zygaspis (Purple Round-headed Worm Lizards) | 3 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.7 % |
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| Crocodilians (Crocodylia) | ||||
| Family Crocodylidae (Crocodiles) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Crocodylus (Typical Crocodiles) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
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| Lizards (Sauria) | ||||
| Family Agamidae (Agamas and Dragons) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Acanthocercus (Ridgeback Agamas) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Agama (Typical Agamas) | 6 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.5 % |
| Family Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Bradypodion (Southern African Dwarf Chameleons) | 17 | 15 | 88.2 % | 4.1 % |
| Chamaeleo (Typical Chameleons) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Family Cordylidae (Girdled Lizards) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Chamaesaura (African Grass Lizards) | 3 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.7 % |
| Cordylus (Girdled Lizards) | 12 | 9 | 75.0 % | 2.9 % |
| Hemicordylus (Western Crag Lizards) | 2 | 2 | 100.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Karusasaurus (Karoo Girdled Lizards) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Namazonurus (Namaqua Girdled Lizards) | 2 | 2 | 100.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Ninurta (Blue-spotted Girdled Lizard) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Ouroborus (Armadillo Girdled Lizard) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Platysaurus (Flat Lizards) | 10 | 7 | 70.0 % | 2.4 % |
| Pseudocordylus (Eastern Crag Lizards) | 5 | 2 | 40.0 % | 1.2 % |
| Smaug (Dragon Girdled Lizards) | 6 | 4 | 66.7 % | 1.5 % |
| Family Gekkonidae (Typical Geckos) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Afroedura (Flat Geckos) | 22 | 18 | 81.8 % | 5.4 % |
| Afrogecko (African Leaf-toed Geckos) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Chondrodactylus (Comb-toed Geckos) | 4 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Cryptactites (Coastal Leaf-toed Gecko) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Goggia (South African Dwarf Leaf-toed Geckos) | 10 | 8 | 80.0 % | 2.4 % |
| Hemidactylus (Half-toed Geckos) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Homopholis (African Velvet Geckos) | 3 | 1 | 33.3 % | 0.7 % |
| Lygodactylus (African-Neotropical Dwarf Geckos) | 10 | 7 | 70.0 % | 2.4 % |
| Pachydactylus (Typical Thick-toed Geckos) | 29 | 9 | 31.0 % | 7.1 % |
| Ptenopus (African Barking Geckos) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Ramigekko (Swartberg Leaf-toed Gecko) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Rhoptropella (Namaqua Day Gecko) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Gerrhosauridae (Plated Lizards) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Broadleysaurus (Rough-scaled Plated Lizard) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Cordylosaurus (Dwarf Plated Lizard) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Gerrhosaurus (Typical Plated Lizards) | 4 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Matobosaurus (Giant Plated Lizards) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Tetradactylus (Plated Snake Lizards) | 5 | 4 | 80.0 % | 1.2 % |
| Family Lacertidae (Typical Lizards) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Australolacerta (Cape Rock Lizard) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Heliobolus (Bushveld Lizards) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Ichnotropis (Rough-scaled Lizards) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Meroles (Southwest African Desert Lizards) | 5 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.2 % |
| Nucras (Sandveld Lizards) | 8 | 2 | 25.0 % | 2.0 % |
| Pedioplanis (African Sand Lizards) | 6 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.5 % |
| Tropidosaura (South African Mountain Lizards) | 4 | 2 | 50.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Vhembelacerta (Soutpansberg Rock Lizard) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Scincidae (Skinks) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Acontias (Greater Legless Skinks) | 22 | 15 | 68.2 % | 5.4 % |
| Cryptoblepharus (Indo-Pacific Snake-eyed Skinks) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Lygosoma (Supple Skinks) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Panaspis (African Snake-eyed Skinks) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Scelotes (Dwarf Burrowing Skinks) | 18 | 11 | 61.1 % | 4.4 % |
| Trachylepis (African-American Grass and Forest Skinks) | 15 | 1 | 6.7 % | 3.7 % |
| Typhlosaurus (Blind Legless Skinks) | 4 | 3 | 75.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Family Varanidae (Monitor Lizards) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Varanus (Monitor Lizards) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
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| Snakes (Serpentes) | ||||
| Family Colubridae (Typical Snakes) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Crotaphopeltis (Herald Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Dasypeltis (African Egg Eaters) | 3 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.7 % |
| Dipsadoboa (Nocturnal Tree Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Dispholidus (Boomslang) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Meizodon (African Smooth Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Natriciteres (African Marsh Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Philothamnus (African Green Snakes) | 5 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.2 % |
| Telescopus (Cat Snakes & Tiger Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Thelotornis (African Vine Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Elapidae_1 (Cobras. Mambas. etc.) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Aspidelaps (Shield-nosed Cobras) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Dendroaspis (Mambas) | 2 | 1 | 50.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Elapsoidea (African Garter Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Hemachatus (Ring-necked Spitting Cobra) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Naja (Typical Cobras) | 5 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.2 % |
| Family Elapidae_2 (Sea Snakes) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Hydrophis (Typical Sea Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Lamprophiidae (House Snakes. etc.) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Amblyodipsas (Purple-glossed Snakes) | 6 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.5 % |
| Amplorhinus (Many-spotted Snake) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Aparallactus (African Centipede Eaters) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Atractaspis (Stiletto Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Boaedon (Afro-Arabian House Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Dipsina (Dwarf Beaked Snake) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Duberria (African Slug Eaters) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Gracililima (Black File Snake) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Hemirhagerrhis (Bark Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Homoroselaps (African Harlequin Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Inyoka (Swazi Rock Snake) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Lamprophis (SubSaharan House Snakes) | 3 | 1 | 33.3 % | 0.7 % |
| Limaformosa (Venus File Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Lycodonomorphus (Southern African Water Snakes) | 4 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Lycophidion (African Wolf Snakes) | 3 | 1 | 33.3 % | 0.7 % |
| Macrelaps (Natal Black Snake) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Montaspis (Cream-spotted Mountain Snake) | 1 | 1 | 100.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Prosymna (Shovel-snout Snakes) | 6 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.5 % |
| Psammophis (Old World Sand Snakes and Grass Snakes) | 11 | 1 | 9.1 % | 2.7 % |
| Psammophylax (Skaapstekers) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Pseudaspis (African Mole Snake) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Rhamphiophis (Beaked Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Leptotyphlopidae (Thread Snakes) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Leptotyphlops (Typical Thread Snakes) | 7 | 3 | 42.9 % | 1.7 % |
| Myriopholis (Many-scaled Thread Snakes) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Namibiana (Southwest African Thread Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Family Pythonidae (Pythons) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Python (Typical Pythons) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Typhlopidae (Typical Blind Snakes) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Afrotyphlops (African Giant Blind Snakes) | 4 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Rhinotyphlops (African Beaked Blind Snakes) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Family Viperidae (Vipers) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Bitis (African Adders) | 11 | 4 | 36.4 % | 2.7 % |
| Causus (Night Adders) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
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| Turtles (Testudines) | ||||
| Family Cheloniidae (Hard-shelled Sea Turtles) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Chelonia (Green Sea Turtle) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Eretmochelys (Hawksbill Sea Turtle) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Lepidochelys (Ridley Sea Turtles) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtle) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Dermochelys (Leatherback Sea Turtle) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Family Pelomedusidae (African Side-necked Turtles) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Pelomedusa (African Helmeted Turtles) | 2 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Pelusios (African Mud Turtles) | 4 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Family Testudinidae (Tortoises) |
Species | Endemic species |
Endemism (species) |
Species in % of all reptile species in South Africa |
| Chersina (Angulate Tortoise) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |
| Chersobius (Five-toed Dwarf Tortoises) | 2 | 2 | 100.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Homopus (Four-toed Dwarf Tortoises) | 2 | 1 | 50.0 % | 0.5 % |
| Kinixys (Hinge-back Tortoises) | 4 | 0 | 0.0 % | 1.0 % |
| Psammobates (South African Star Tortoises) | 3 | 1 | 33.3 % | 0.7 % |
| Stigmochelys (Leopard Tortoise) | 1 | 0 | 0.0 % | 0.2 % |