EFB 485 Lizards and Crocodilians

Rhyncocephalia, New Zealand, only living family, slow life style

Sphenodontidae

Gavials or Gharials, 2 species, Southeast Asia, Conservation threats

Gavialidae

Alligators and Caiman, Americas, alligators also in China

Alligatoridae

Crocodiles, Africa Americas Asia and Australia

Crocodylidae

Wall Climbing geckos, worldwide distribution, immovable spectacle on eye

Gekkonidae

Crag and Girdle-tailed Lizards, E + S Africa, Spiny keeled tails, mostly viviparous

Cordylidae

Skinks, worldwide distribution, most diverse group, some reduced limbs

Scincidae

Wall and rock lizards, Africa + Eurasia, insectivores

Lacertidae

Whiptail lizards and Tegus, Americas, Oviparous, large head plates

Teiidae

Alligator Slowworm and Glass Lizards, Tropical and Temperate regions, Limbs lost in several genera

Anguidae

Gila monster and Beaded lizards, SW USA to Guatemala, Venom glands in lower jaws, Oviparous

Helodermatidae

Monitors and Goannas, Africa Asia and Australia, Strong limbs and muscular tails, Oviparous, Active Predators

Varanidae

Chameleons, Prehensile tails, grasping feet, long tongue

Chamaeleonidae

Angleheads and Dragon Lizards, Africa Asia and Australia, Diurnal

Agamidae

North American Spiny Lizards, N + C America,

Phrynosomatidae

Iguanas, New world + Pacific distribution, Large bodied

Iguanidae

True Anoles, New world, small diurnal arboreal, dewlap for communication

Anolidae

small shiny and smooth, moist forests, oviparous, sparse distribution

Plestiodon anthracinus

small shiny and smooth, moist forests, oviparous, sparse southern NY distribution

Plestiodon fasciatus

Introduced on Long Island in the 1960s, urban and suburban, oviparous

Podarcis siculus

Dry open woodlands, Oviparous, Threatened

Sceloporus undulatus