Reptiles

Daintree Rainforest reptiles include Australia’s largest reptile, the Estuarine Crocodile and longest snake, Amethystine Python.  These two apex predators have a profound impact on ecosystem health and productivity.

Magnificently adapted to the requirements of a successful occupancy, the Amethystine Python has the most highly-developed heat-sensing apparatus, housing infrared receptors, structured into its jaw-line, of any snake found world-wide.  This enables the champion climber to move skilfully through an inky-black, three-dimensional landscape, collecting infrared information as it hunts.  

Snakes

Pythons

Morelia

Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina)

Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia spilota cheynei)

Colubrids

Boiga

Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis)

Dendrelaphis

Northern Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis calligastra)

Elapids

Cacophis

Krefft’s Crowned Snake (Cacophis krefftii)

Pseudechis

Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)

Rhinoplocephalus

Eastern Small-eyed Snake (Rhinocephalus nigrescens)

Typhlopidae

Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops polygrammicus)

Lizards (Squamata)

Sauria

Pygopodidae (Snake-Lizards)

Gekkonidae (Geckos)

Carphodactylus

Chameleon Gecko (Carphodactylus laevis)

Phyllurus

Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus cornutus)

Scincidae (Skinks)

Eulamprus

Yellow-blotched Forest Skink (Eulamprus tigrinus)

Saproscincus

Rainforest Skink (Saproscincus basiliscus)

Rainforest Skink (Saproscincus lewisi)

Varanidae (goannas or monitor lizards)

Agamidae (Agamids or Dragon Lizards)

Boyd’s Forest Dragon (Hypsilurus boydii)

Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii)

Crocodiles (Crocodylidae)

Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Turtles (Chelidae)

Elseya

Saw-shelled Turtle (Elseya latisternum)