This list includes 28 Reptiles that start with M, from “Macklot’s python” to “Murray River turtle”. They include small pet geckos, large constrictors, and freshwater turtles important for conservation. Use this resource for quick identification, pet care guidance, or field and educational work.
Reptiles that start with M are a varied group of snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodilians found worldwide. For example, the Murray River turtle is a long-lived freshwater species central to Australian river ecosystems.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Average adult size (cm; measurement type).
Common name: The widely used English name helps you quickly recognize species and match field guides or pet care resources.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise species identity so you can find authoritative data and avoid confusion.
Habitat: A concise habitat note shows where the species lives and helps you plan observations or conservation actions.
Average adult size (cm; measurement type): Typical adult length or carapace/SVL in centimeters, helping you judge maturity, enclosure needs, or identification.
Sources: The Reptile Database; IUCN Red List. Last updated: 2025-12-01.
Reptiles that start with M
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult size (cm) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mata mata | Chelus fimbriata | freshwater rivers & swamps | 40–50 cm (CL) | Unusual Amazonian turtle with a flattened, leaf‑like head used to ambush fish; cryptic, slow‑moving; locally collected for pet trade; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Marine iguana | Amblyrhynchus cristatus | coastal marine (Galápagos) | 50–100 cm (TL) | Only sea‑going lizard, grazes algae on intertidal rocks around the Galápagos; sexes show size/color dimorphism; vulnerable to introduced predators; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mangrove monitor | Varanus indicus | mangroves & coastal forests | 120–200 cm (TL) | Agile arboreal/semi‑aquatic monitor found across islands of Oceania; omnivorous and often lives near human settlements; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mertens’ water monitor | Varanus mertensi | freshwater swamps & rivers | 80–100 cm (TL) | Australian freshwater monitor that feeds on fish and crustaceans; sensitive to habitat change and cane toads; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mole snake | Pseudaspis cana | grasslands & savanna | 80–120 cm (TL) | Southern African constrictor that hunts rodents in burrows; variable color morphs from black to brown; common locally; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Monocled cobra | Naja kaouthia | wetlands, forests, agricultural areas | 120–160 cm (TL) | Widespread Asian cobra named for the circular “ocellus” hood mark; venomous, often found near people; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mojave rattlesnake | Crotalus scutulatus | deserts & scrub | 60–90 cm (TL) | Desert rattlesnake of the southwestern US and Mexico; potent venom and distinctive rattle; prefers rocky arid habitats; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mexican beaded lizard | Heloderma horridum | dry forest & scrub | 60–90 cm (TL) | Large venomous lizard native to Mexico and Guatemala with bead‑like scales; slow‑moving, feeds on eggs and small vertebrates; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Milk snake | Lampropeltis triangulum | forests, fields & rocky areas | 60–120 cm (TL) | Colorful North/Central American colubrid known for mimicry of coral snakes; variable patterns and many subspecies; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mangrove snake | Boiga dendrophila | mangroves & lowland forest | 120–200 cm (TL) | Striking black‑and‑yellow arboreal rear‑fanged snake of SE Asia; nocturnal predator of birds and lizards; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mole skink | Plestiodon egregius | sandy pinewoods & scrub | 15–25 cm (TL) | Small, secretive skink of the southeastern US that burrows in loose sand; males show bright breeding colors; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Madagascar ground boa | Acrantophis madagascariensis | dry forest & scrub (Madagascar) | 150–250 cm (TL) | Heavy-bodied constrictor endemic to Madagascar; ambush predator of mammals and birds; habitat loss is a concern; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Madagascar day gecko | Phelsuma madagascariensis | tropical forest & gardens | 25–30 cm (TL) | Bright green diurnal gecko commonly seen on trees and buildings in Madagascar; active insectivore and popular in the pet trade; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mediterranean house gecko | Hemidactylus turcicus | urban & rock walls | 8–12 cm (SVL) | Widespread small gecko that thrives on buildings and lights across the Mediterranean and introduced areas; nocturnal insect eater; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Morelet’s crocodile | Crocodylus moreletii | freshwater lagoons & rivers | 200–300 cm (TL) | Medium-sized crocodile native to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala; inhabits slow waters and wetlands; conservation improving in some regions; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Murray River turtle | Emydura macquarii | freshwater rivers & wetlands | 30–40 cm (CL) | Widespread Australian freshwater turtle in the Murray‑Darling basin; omnivorous and often basking on logs; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Marginated tortoise | Testudo marginata | Mediterranean scrub & rocky areas | 30–45 cm (CL) | Large European tortoise with a flared rear marginal scute; herbivorous and adapted to dry Mediterranean habitats; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mexican musk turtle | Staurotypus triporcatus | slow rivers & marshes | 20–30 cm (CL) | Robust Central American turtle with strong jaws; secretive and often in murky waters; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Macklot’s python | Liasis mackloti | coastal forest & savanna | 150–200 cm (TL) | Indonesian python that preys on mammals and birds; slender compared with larger pythons and popular locally in trade; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Malayan pit viper | Calloselasma rhodostoma | forest edges & plantations | 60–90 cm (TL) | Also called the Malayan ground viper; venomous ambush predator common in SE Asian agricultural areas; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Malayan box turtle | Cuora amboinensis | freshwater wetlands & rice paddies | 18–30 cm (CL) | Widespread Southeast Asian box turtle with a hinged plastron; threatened by collection and habitat loss; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Massasauga | Sistrurus catenatus | wetlands & grasslands | 50–80 cm (TL) | North American pit viper often associated with bogs and wet prairies; small rattlesnake with conservation concern in parts of its range; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mangshan pit viper | Protobothrops mangshanensis | montane forest (China) | 120–150 cm (TL) | Rare, heavy-bodied viper from China’s Mangshan Mountains; cryptic ambush hunter with restricted range and high conservation attention; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mexican spiny‑tailed iguana | Ctenosaura pectinata | dry forest & rocky outcrops | 60–120 cm (TL) | Fast, herbivorous/omnivorous iguana native to Mexico; uses rocky crevices and human structures for shelter; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mexican garter snake | Thamnophis eques | freshwater marshes & streams | 40–80 cm (TL) | Semi‑aquatic garter snake from Mexico; feeds on fish and amphibians and often tolerates disturbed habitats; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Mediterranean chameleon | Chamaeleo chamaeleon | Mediterranean woodlands & scrub | 20–30 cm (SVL) | Common chameleon across Mediterranean coastal zones; arboreal insectivore able to change color and blend into vegetation; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Marbled gecko | Christinus marmoratus | rocky outcrops & urban areas | 7–10 cm (SVL) | Australian gecko with marbled patterning; active on rock faces and around buildings at night; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
| Marbled tegu | Tupinambis teguixin | lowland forest & edges | 80–120 cm (TL) | South American omnivorous lizard that hunts eggs, small animals and fruit; powerful jaws and robust body; Reptile Database; IUCN; last updated: 2025-12-01 |
Descriptions
Mata mata
Marine iguana
Mangrove monitor
Mertens’ water monitor
Mole snake
Monocled cobra
Mojave rattlesnake
Mexican beaded lizard
Milk snake
Mangrove snake
Mole skink
Madagascar ground boa
Madagascar day gecko
Mediterranean house gecko
Morelet’s crocodile
Murray River turtle
Marginated tortoise
Mexican musk turtle
Macklot’s python
Malayan pit viper
Malayan box turtle
Massasauga
Mangshan pit viper
Mexican spiny‑tailed iguana
Mexican garter snake
Mediterranean chameleon
Marbled gecko
Marbled tegu