This list includes 19 Reptiles that start with D, from “D’Albertis Python” to “Dwarf Crocodile”. These entries cover snakes, lizards and crocodilians used for identification, education, conservation and responsible pet care.
Reptiles that start with D are species whose common names begin with the letter D across several reptile groups. Notable examples include “D’Albertis Python,” named after the 19th-century naturalist Luigi D’Albertis.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat and Average size in centimeters.
Common name: The widely used English name helps you quickly identify species and match it to field guides or pet listings.
Scientific name: Gives the Latin binomial you can use to find authoritative information, taxonomy, and conservation status.
Habitat: Concise habitat notes show where each species lives, helping you narrow searches by environment or region.
Average size (cm): Average adult size in centimeters, with the measurement type noted so you understand whether it’s total length or SVL.
Reptiles that start with D
| Name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult size (cm, measurement type) |
|---|---|---|---|
| D‘Albertis Python | Leiopython albertisii | Rainforests and monsoon forests near water | 200 (total length) |
| Day Gecko, Giant | Phelsuma grandis | Tropical forests and human dwellings | 25 (total length) |
| Death Adder, Common | Acanthophis antarcticus | Forests, woodlands, and grasslands | 50 (total length) |
| Dekay’s Brownsnake | Storeria dekayi | Urban gardens, woodlands, and wetlands | 30 (total length) |
| Desert Horned Lizard | Phrynosoma platyrhinos | Sandy deserts and scrublands | 9 (SVL) |
| Desert Horned Viper | Cerastes cerastes | Sandy deserts | 50 (total length) |
| Desert Iguana | Dipsosaurus dorsalis | Arid desert scrublands | 40 (total length) |
| Desert Monitor | Varanus griseus | Arid deserts and scrublands | 120 (total length) |
| Desert Night Lizard | Xantusia vigilis | Arid regions under fallen yucca plants | 5 (SVL) |
| Desert Tortoise | Gopherus agassizii | Mojave and Sonoran deserts | 30 (carapace length) |
| Diamondback Terrapin | Malaclemys terrapin | Brackish coastal salt marshes | 18 (carapace length) |
| Diamondback Rattlesnake, Eastern | Crotalus adamanteus | Pine flatwoods and coastal scrub | 150 (total length) |
| Diamondback Rattlesnake, Western | Crotalus atrox | Deserts, grasslands, and rocky hills | 120 (total length) |
| Double-crested Basilisk | Basiliscus plumifrons | Tropical rainforests near water | 80 (total length) |
| Draco Lizard | Draco volans | Tropical rainforests | 20 (total length) |
| Dugite | Pseudonaja affinis | Coastal plains, dunes, and woodlands | 150 (total length) |
| Dumeril’s Monitor | Varanus dumerilii | Mangrove forests and rainforest swamps | 130 (total length) |
| Dwarf Caiman | Paleosuchus palpebrosus | Forest rivers and flooded forests | 140 (total length) |
| Dwarf Crocodile | Osteolaemus tetraspis | Rainforest swamps and slow rivers | 150 (total length) |
Descriptions
D‘Albertis Python
A non-venomous snake from New Guinea known for its incredible iridescence, shimmering with rainbow colors in the light. It is a secretive, nocturnal hunter of small mammals.
Day Gecko, Giant
A large, brilliantly green gecko from Madagascar. Unlike most geckos, it is active during the day, feeding on insects, nectar, and fruit, and can often be seen on buildings.
Death Adder, Common
Found in Australia, this highly venomous snake has one of the fastest strikes in the world. It ambushes prey by wiggling its grub-like tail tip as a lure.
Dekay’s Brownsnake
A small, harmless North American snake often found in suburban areas. It is a gardener’s friend, feeding primarily on slugs, snails, and other garden pests.
Desert Horned Lizard
This flat-bodied North American lizard is famous for its crown of horns and its bizarre ability to squirt blood from its eyes as a startling defense mechanism.
Desert Horned Viper
Famous for the prominent “horns” above its eyes, this North African and Middle Eastern viper is a master of camouflage, burying itself in sand to ambush prey.
Desert Iguana
A common lizard in the American Southwest known for its ability to withstand incredibly high temperatures. It is mostly herbivorous, feeding on desert flowers and leaves.
Desert Monitor
A large lizard found across North Africa and Asia. It is an active predator with a varied diet, using its keen sense of smell to find prey both above and below ground.
Desert Night Lizard
A tiny, secretive lizard of the American Southwest. Despite its name, it is often active during the day and gives birth to live young, a rare trait among small lizards.
Desert Tortoise
This protected species has a high-domed shell and elephant-like legs. It spends most of its life in burrows to escape extreme temperatures and can live for over 50 years.
Diamondback Terrapin
The only turtle species in North America that lives exclusively in brackish water. It has a beautiful, diamond-patterned shell and is the official state reptile of Maryland.
Diamondback Rattlesnake, Eastern
The heaviest venomous snake in the Americas, recognized by its bold diamond pattern and loud rattle. It is an ambush predator, preying on rabbits and other mammals.
Diamondback Rattlesnake, Western
One of North America’s most iconic venomous snakes. It is known for its aggressive reputation but prefers to avoid confrontation, rattling its tail as a clear warning.
Double-crested Basilisk
Also called the “Jesus Christ lizard” for its amazing ability to run across the surface of water on its hind legs for short distances to escape predators.
Draco Lizard
This incredible Southeast Asian lizard doesn’t truly fly but glides between trees using extendable, wing-like membranes. It primarily eats ants and other small insects.
Dugite
A highly venomous snake native to Western Australia. While often shy, it is fast-moving and potentially dangerous if cornered, and is frequently found in suburban areas.
Dumeril’s Monitor
A semi-aquatic lizard from Southeast Asia with a distinctive orange head as a juvenile. It is a powerful swimmer and feeds on crabs, insects, and small vertebrates.
Dwarf Caiman
The smallest living new-world crocodilian, native to South America. Its heavily armored, bony skin protects it from predators in its fast-flowing river habitat.
Dwarf Crocodile
The world’s smallest crocodile, found in West and Central Africa. It is a shy, nocturnal reptile that spends much of its time hidden in or near the water.