Wildlife Species Library

Identification guides, behavior notes, and camera tips for the wildlife visiting backyard habitats across the EverydayEarth community.

Showing 1-36 of 67 species

Alligator Snapping Turtle
Reptiles

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is North America's largest freshwater turtle, a prehistoric giant that uses a built-in ...

American Alligator
Reptiles

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

The undisputed king of the American wetlands, the American Alligator is a living fossil that has patrolled the swamps...

American Crocodile
Reptiles

American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

The American Crocodile is a prehistoric icon of the Neotropics, a master of both salt and fresh water that rules the ...

Amethyst Python
Reptiles

Amethyst Python

Simalia amethistina

The Amethyst Python is a shimmering giant of the tropical canopy, famous for the brilliant purple iridescence that da...

Asian House Gecko
Reptiles

Asian House Gecko

Hemidactylus frenatus

The Asian House Gecko is the ultimate backyard acrobat, famous for its 'chuck-chuck' call and its ability to sprint a...

Australian Scrub Python
Reptiles

Australian Scrub Python

Simalia kinghorni

As Australia's longest snake, the Australian Scrub Python is a spectacular giant of the tropical north, known for its...

Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko
Reptiles

Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko

Chondrodactylus bibronii

The heavyweight champion of southern African geckos, Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko is a master of camouflage and vertical...

Black Caiman
Reptiles

Black Caiman

Melanosuchus niger

The black caiman is the undisputed king of the Amazonian waters, a prehistoric giant that can grow up to 20 feet long...

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
Reptiles

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura similis

Meet the world's fastest lizard, an armored speedster that thrives in the heat. With its prehistoric spines and light...

Broad-snouted Caiman
Reptiles

Broad-snouted Caiman

Caiman latirostris

The Broad-snouted Caiman is the 'bulldog' of South American wetlands, easily recognized by its uniquely wide jaw and ...

Brown Anole
Reptiles

Brown Anole

Anolis sagrei

The Brown Anole is the charismatic acrobat of the suburban garden, known for its bold displays and lightning-fast ref...

Brown Basilisk
Reptiles

Brown Basilisk

Basiliscus vittatus

Known as the 'Jesus Christ Lizard' for its ability to run on water, the Brown Basilisk is a prehistoric-looking marve...

Burmese Python
Reptiles

Burmese Python

Python bivittatus

One of the largest snakes on the planet, the Burmese Python is a master of camouflage and a powerful ambush predator....

Carpet Python
Reptiles

Carpet Python

Morelia spilota

The Carpet Python is nature’s master of camouflage, a stunningly patterned constrictor that thrives from wild rainfor...

Carp's Barking Gecko
Reptiles

Carp's Barking Gecko

Ptenopus carpi

The vocal heartbeat of the Namib Desert, Carp's Barking Gecko is a tiny architect of the gravel plains known for its ...

Central African slender-snouted crocodile
Reptiles

Central African slender-snouted crocodile

Mecistops leptorhynchus

A master of the Congo's hidden waterways, the Central African slender-snouted crocodile is a prehistoric relic with a...

Common Barking Gecko
Reptiles

Common Barking Gecko

Ptenopus garrulus

Known as the chorus of the Kalahari, the Common Barking Gecko is more often heard than seen. These pint-sized reptile...

Common Four-clawed Gecko
Reptiles

Common Four-clawed Gecko

Gehyra mutilata

Often called the 'Sugar Gecko' for its pale, sweet appearance, this delicate climber is a master of the night. Watch ...

Common Snapping Turtle
Reptiles

Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Meet the prehistoric survivor of North America's waterways. With its rugged shell and powerful jaws, the Common Snapp...

Common Water Monitor
Reptiles

Common Water Monitor

Varanus salvator

The Common Water Monitor is the world's second-largest lizard and a master of the Asian wetlands. Intelligent, adapta...

Congo Dwarf Crocodile
Reptiles

Congo Dwarf Crocodile

Osteolaemus osborni

Meet the world's smallest crocodile, a shy 'living fossil' that prowls the flooded forests of the Congo Basin by night.

Crested Anole
Reptiles

Crested Anole

Anolis cristatellus

Meet the bold, crown-tailed gymnast of the Caribbean. The Crested Anole is a charismatic lizard that brings tropical ...

Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
Reptiles

Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman

Paleosuchus palpebrosus

Meet the world's smallest crocodilian, a heavily armored master of the Amazonian undergrowth. Known for its smooth fo...

Dwarf Crocodile
Reptiles

Dwarf Crocodile

Osteolaemus tetraspis

The Dwarf Crocodile is the world's smallest living crocodilian, a heavily armored 'living fossil' that prowls the dar...

East African Black Mud Turtle
Reptiles

East African Black Mud Turtle

Pelusios subniger

A resilient wanderer of the African wetlands, the East African Black Mud Turtle is a master of survival. With its sec...

Eastern Mexican Spiny-Tailed Iguana
Reptiles

Eastern Mexican Spiny-Tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura acanthura

With its armored tail and prehistoric silhouette, the Eastern Mexican Spiny-Tailed Iguana is a charismatic relic of t...

False Map Turtle
Reptiles

False Map Turtle

Graptemys pseudogeographica

Master of the river sun-loungers, the False Map Turtle is a master of camouflage with a shell that looks like a hand-...

Green Anole
Reptiles

Green Anole

Anolis carolinensis

Meet the 'American Chameleon,' a color-shifting gymnast that brings a touch of the prehistoric to your garden. Watch ...

Green Basilisk
Reptiles

Green Basilisk

Basiliscus plumifrons

Meet the 'Jesus Christ lizard,' a brilliant emerald reptile famous for its gravity-defying ability to run across wate...

Green Iguana
Reptiles

Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

The Green Iguana is a prehistoric-looking giant that has mastered the art of living in both the wild jungle and the s...

Green Sea Turtle
Reptiles

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Meet the ocean's most famous gardener. The Green Sea Turtle is a majestic marine wanderer whose diet of seagrass keep...

Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Reptiles

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

With its stunning 'tortoiseshell' pattern and a beak like a bird of prey, the Hawksbill is the most beautiful—and mos...

Helmeted Turtle
Reptiles

Helmeted Turtle

Pelomedusa subrufa

The African Helmeted Turtle is a prehistoric-looking survivor capable of outlasting the harshest droughts. With its u...

Indian Python
Reptiles

Indian Python

Python molurus

A master of camouflage and a silent guardian of the forest, the Indian Python is one of the world's most impressive n...

Indo-Pacific House Gecko
Reptiles

Indo-Pacific House Gecko

Hemidactylus garnotii

Meet the Indo-Pacific House Gecko, the 'fox-faced' hunter of the night. This remarkable all-female species has travel...

Indo-Pacific Slender Gecko
Reptiles

Indo-Pacific Slender Gecko

Hemiphyllodactylus typus

A pint-sized pioneer of the reptile world, the Indo-Pacific Slender Gecko is a master of camouflage and a silent guar...

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