Reptile Kingdom

At just 1.5m long, it is one of the smallest crocs. Mostly aquatic, they may bask on logs or even climb onto low tree branches!

At just 1.5m long, it is one of the smallest crocs. Mostly aquatic, they may bask on logs or even climb onto low tree branches!

Primarily carnivorous, these ambush predators stay motionless in the water and reveal the worm-like appendage on their tongues to lure unsuspecting prey.

Primarily carnivorous, these ambush predators stay motionless in the water and reveal the worm-like appendage on their tongues to lure unsuspecting prey.

Its hinged plastron (shell underside) allows it to close its shell completely, protecting their head, limbs, and soft body parts when threatened.

A primarily carnivorous ambush predator, it spends 95% of its life buried and motionless, with only its eyes and mouth protruding from the sand.

These dark-coloured descendants of the tiger salamander can shift their hue a few shades lighter or darker as needed for camouflage.

While this turtle’s head is so big that it can’t be withdrawn inside its shell, it does have a large bony “roof” on its head for protection.

To stay hidden while basking, this snake buries itself with just its head exposed. Its dark colour helps it absorb heat quickly, warming its brain and senses.

Their eggs are laid on canyon walls or under rocks, which are then flooded by water to complete their development in temporary pools.

We work with other zoos through Managed Species Programmes to boost genetic diversity and sustain their population under human care.

Deemed functionally extinct in the 2000s. We work with conservation partners to reestablish wild populations in its native home - Myanmar.

Named for its large, heavy scales. Feeding primarily on invertebrates, it crushes them with strong back teeth, spitting out broken shells before consuming the softer parts.

These tiny geckos lack eyelids. Instead, they lick a clear membrane over their eyes to keep them clean!

While it uses its tail primarily as a counterbalance when leaping from branch to branch, it can also use it like a whip for defence.

Also known as the tomistoma, this fish-eating crocodilian can grow to an impressive 5 metres long.

Reaching up to half a metre in length and 12kg in weight, this gentle giant is one of the world’s largest freshwater turtles.

One of few venomous lizards, it chews venom into its prey using grooved teeth and powerful jaws.

This nocturnal viper uses heat-sensing facial pits to detect and strike warm-blooded prey in the dark.

This shy turtle croaks softly when retracting inside its shell, and can grow up to 40.5cm long.

Its star-patterned shell helps with camouflage, and males often battle rivals by flipping them over.

Despite its fearsome reputation amongst humans, the world’s longest venomous snake has a diet consisting mainly of other snakes.

This ground-dwelling Aussie gecko lives in sand plains and woodlands, rarely climbing trees.

Males use their plough-shaped shell tip to ram and flip rivals during courtship battles.

Its shell has fine yellow starbursts and sensitive nerves—it can feel when you touch it!

This tree-dwelling snake uses agility and camouflage to hunt and hide in Asian forests.

Named for their horned snouts, these stocky iguanas raise back spines to look more fearsome.

Their sidewinding gait makes them the fastest-moving of all rattlesnakes. Shuffling their bodies into soft sand, with their heads barely exposed, they twitch their tail to attract prey.

These bug-hunting geckos thrive in cities and even have a light-sensing “third eye” on top of their head.

Their binocular vision enables them to move their eyes independently, focusing on two different objects at once!

Named for their croc-like tails, these rare lizards give birth to live young—unusual for reptiles!

These slender, tree-dwellers are venomous, using their venom to subdue prey. However, they are not considered dangerous to humans.

While they aren’t born with rattles, every shedding leaves a little piece on their tail – adding a new ‘button’ and making their rattle bigger.

With rainbow-sheen scales and more teeth than any other python, it’s a dazzling ambush hunter.

Living high in the canopy, females are bigger and brighter than their brownish-orange mates.