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Global Reptile Diversity Overview


I. Global Reptile Diversity

Total Approximate Number of Recognized Reptile Species (as of 2025)

  • 12,502 recognized reptile species worldwide
  • Distributed across 94 families and 1,260 genera

Reptiles (Reptilia): ~12,502 species

  • Lizards (Sauria): ~7,905 species
  • Snakes (Serpentes): ~4,203 species
  • Turtles and tortoises (Testudines): ~366 species
  • Crocodilians (Crocodylia): 27 species
  • Amphisbaenians (Amphisbaenia): ~203 species
  • Tuatara (Rhynchocephalia): 1 species

II. Continental Reptile Diversity

Continent Approx. Number of Species

  • Asia                        ~3,000

  • Africa                     ~2,900

  • South America      ~2,500

  • North America       ~1,500

  • Australia                  ~1,145

  • Europe                      ~500

  • Oceania                    ~400

  • Antarctica                      0

III. Countries by Reptile Species Richness

IV. Reptile Systematics: Taxonomic Breakdown

V. Families and Species Counts (Selected Examples)

VI. Notes on Species Concepts and Taxonomic Fluidity

  • Species counts are dynamic due to ongoing revisions, new discoveries, and changes in species concepts.
  • Many subspecies have been elevated to species status, especially in snakes and lizards.
  • Molecular phylogenetics continues to reshape family and genus boundaries.