This list includes 41 Reptiles that start with W, from “Wagler’s Pit Viper” to “Writhing Skink”. They include venomous snakes, skinks, geckos and turtles found in forests, deserts and freshwater habitats worldwide. Use this list for quick identification, classroom study, pet reference and conservation awareness.
Reptiles that start with W are species whose common names begin with the letter W. A notable example is Wagler’s Pit Viper, named for the German herpetologist Johann Wagler.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Average size (cm) and Measurement type.
Common name: The name you likely know, helping you find species quickly in field guides, care notes, or classroom lists.
Scientific name: Latin binomial used for precise identification so you can cross-check species across regions and literature.
Habitat: Short description of typical environments where the species lives, so you can understand its ecology and needs.
Average size (cm): Mean adult length in centimeters, giving you a quick sense of how large adults typically grow.
Measurement type: Notes whether length is total length, snout–vent length (SVL) or carapace length, so you interpret sizes correctly.
Reptiles that start with W
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult size (cm) & measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagler’s Pit Viper | Tropidolaemus wagleri | Tropical rainforests and mangroves of Southeast Asia | 75 TL |
| Wall Lizard | Podarcis muralis | Rocky areas, walls, and gardens across Europe | 18 SVL |
| Warty Frog-faced Turtle | Phrynops geoffroanus | Rivers, streams, and lakes in South America | 30 CL |
| Water Dragon | Intellagama lesueurii | Along rivers and creeks in eastern Australia | 80 TL |
| Water Monitor | Varanus salvator | Mangroves, swamps, and wetlands across South and Southeast Asia | 150 TL |
| Water Moccasin | Agkistrodon piscivorus | Swamps, marshes, and slow-moving waterways in the southeastern USA | 90 TL |
| Wedge-snouted Skink | Chalcides sepsoides | Sandy coastal areas and dunes in North Africa and the Middle East | 20 SVL |
| West African Dwarf Crocodile | Osteolaemus tetraspis | Swamps, rainforest rivers, and pools in West and Central Africa | 150 TL |
| West African Gaboon Viper | Bitis rhinoceros | Rainforests and woodlands of West Africa | 120 TL |
| Western Banded Gecko | Coleonyx variegatus | Deserts and arid scrublands of the southwestern US and Mexico | 7 SVL |
| Western Black-headed Snake | Tantilla planiceps | Semi-arid habitats including chaparral and grasslands in the SW USA and Mexico | 25 TL |
| Western Blind Snake | Rena humilis | Arid grasslands, deserts, and scrublands in the SW USA and northern Mexico | 25 TL |
| Western Box Turtle | Terrapene ornata | Prairies, open woodlands, and grasslands in the central United States | 13 CL |
| Western Coral Snake | Micruroides euryxanthus | Deserts and woodlands in the southwestern US and northern Mexico | 45 TL |
| Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake | Crotalus atrox | Deserts, grasslands, and rocky areas of the SW USA and Mexico | 120 TL |
| Western Fence Lizard | Sceloporus occidentalis | Woodlands, grasslands, and suburban areas in the western United States | 8 SVL |
| Western Green Mamba | Dendroaspis viridis | Coastal tropical rainforests and woodlands of West Africa | 180 TL |
| Western Hognose Snake | Heterodon nasicus | Prairies, grasslands, and sandy areas of North America | 50 TL |
| Western Hook-nosed Snake | Gyalopion canum | Arid scrublands and grasslands in the SW USA and northern Mexico | 28 TL |
| Western Pond Turtle | Actinemys marmorata | Rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands along the west coast of North America | 20 CL |
| Western Rattlesnake | Crotalus oreganus | Diverse habitats from sea level to mountains in western North America | 100 TL |
| Western Ribbon Snake | Thamnophis proximus | Near water sources like streams, ponds, and marshes across North America | 75 TL |
| Western Skink | Plestiodon skiltonianus | Grasslands, woodlands, and rocky areas in western North America | 8 SVL |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Thamnophis elegans | Varied habitats, often near water, throughout western North America | 70 TL |
| Western Whipsnake | Hierophis viridiflavus | Open, sunny habitats including scrubland and farmland in southwestern Europe | 130 TL |
| Western Whiptail | Aspidoscelis tigris | Deserts, scrublands, and woodlands in the western USA and northern Mexico | 10 SVL |
| Western Worm Snake | Carphophis vermis | Forests and grasslands with moist soil in the central United States | 25 TL |
| White-bellied Carpet Viper | Echis leucogaster | Arid savannas and rocky deserts of North and West Africa | 50 TL |
| White-bellied Worm Lizard | Amphisbaena alba | Tropical forests and savannas in South America | 60 TL |
| White-eyed Crocodile Skink | Tribolonotus novaeguineae | Moist forest floors in New Guinea | 10 SVL |
| White-lipped Mud Turtle | Kinosternon leucostomum | Slow-moving freshwater habitats in Central and South America | 16 CL |
| White-lipped Pit Viper | Trimeresurus albolabris | Forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas across Southeast Asia | 75 TL |
| White-lipped Python | Leiopython albertisii | Rainforests and wetlands of New Guinea | 210 TL |
| White-spotted Wall Gecko | Tarentola annularis | Arid rocky areas and human dwellings across North and East Africa | 10 SVL |
| White-throated Monitor | Varanus albigularis | Savannas and woodlands of southern and eastern Africa | 150 TL |
| Williams’ Mud Turtle | Pelusios williamsi | Lakes and papyrus swamps in the upper Nile region of Africa | 25 CL |
| Woma | Aspidites ramsayi | Arid scrublands and grasslands in central and western Australia | 150 TL |
| Wonder Gecko | Teratoscincus scincus | Sandy deserts of Central Asia and the Arabian Peninsula | 12 SVL |
| Wood Turtle | Glyptemys insculpta | Streams, rivers, adjacent woodlands, and wet meadows of eastern North America | 17 CL |
| Worm-like Blindsnake | Anilios vermicularis | Various habitats from forests to agricultural lands in southeastern Europe and SW Asia | 30 TL |
| Writhing Skink | Lygosoma quadrupes | Forest floor leaf litter in Southeast Asia | 8 SVL |
Descriptions
Wagler’s Pit Viper
A sexually dimorphic arboreal viper; females are large and green, while males are smaller and more varied. It is venomous but rarely fatal. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2012; ReptileDB 2024)
Wall Lizard
A small, adaptable lizard often found in human-modified habitats. It has been widely introduced and is known for its quick movements and basking behavior. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
Warty Frog-faced Turtle
A medium-sized aquatic side-necked turtle with a broad head and warty skin. It is a carnivorous bottom-dweller, feeding on invertebrates and small fish. Status: Not Evaluated. (ReptileDB 2024)
Water Dragon
Also known as the Australian Water Dragon, this large semi-aquatic lizard is an excellent swimmer and can hold its breath for extended periods. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2018; ReptileDB 2024)
Water Monitor
One of the world’s heaviest lizards, this powerful carnivore is highly aquatic, feeding on a wide variety of prey from fish to mammals. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
Water Moccasin
Also called the Cottonmouth, this is a venomous semi-aquatic pit viper known for its defensive gaping display, revealing a white mouth interior. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Wedge-snouted Skink
A sand-swimming lizard with a streamlined body and reduced limbs, perfectly adapted for burrowing through loose sand to escape predators and heat. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
West African Dwarf Crocodile
The world’s smallest living crocodile species. It is a shy, nocturnal predator that spends much of its time in or near the water. Status: Vulnerable. (IUCN 2014; ReptileDB 2024)
West African Gaboon Viper
A thick-bodied viper with the longest fangs of any snake and a high venom yield. It relies on its incredible camouflage for ambushing prey. Status: Not Evaluated. (ReptileDB 2024)
Western Banded Gecko
A small, nocturnal terrestrial gecko with distinctive dark bands. Unlike many geckos, it has eyelids and lacks adhesive toe pads. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Black-headed Snake
A tiny, secretive, and mildly venomous snake that preys on centipedes and other arthropods. Its venom is not dangerous to humans. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Blind Snake
A small, burrowing snake that resembles an earthworm. It is non-venomous and feeds primarily on ant and termite larvae and pupae. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Box Turtle
A terrestrial turtle with a high-domed shell that can be closed completely for protection. It is omnivorous, feeding on insects, carrion, and plants. Status: Vulnerable. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Coral Snake
A small, secretive elapid with potent neurotoxic venom, recognized by its bright rings of red, yellow/white, and black. Rarely bites humans. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
A large and highly venomous pit viper responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in the United States. It is known for its aggressive defensive behavior. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Fence Lizard
A common and adaptable spiny lizard often seen basking on fences and rocks. It has a protein in its blood that can kill the bacteria causing Lyme disease. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Green Mamba
A long, slender, and highly arboreal elapid with potent neurotoxic venom. Despite its toxicity, it is a shy snake that typically avoids confrontation. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2013; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Hognose Snake
A small colubrid famous for its elaborate defensive displays, which include flattening its neck, hissing, and feigning death. It is rear-fanged and mildly venomous. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Hook-nosed Snake
A small, nocturnal snake with a distinctively upturned snout used for burrowing in sandy soils to find prey like spiders and centipedes. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Pond Turtle
A semi-aquatic turtle facing threats from habitat loss and invasive species like the red-eared slider. Conservation efforts are underway to protect it. Status: Vulnerable. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Rattlesnake
A widespread and variable venomous pit viper with several subspecies. Its populations are generally stable, though some are threatened by habitat destruction. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Ribbon Snake
A slender, semi-aquatic garter snake that primarily feeds on amphibians and fish. It is a fast-moving snake, quickly escaping into water or vegetation. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Skink
A smooth-scaled lizard known for the bright blue tail of its juveniles, which likely serves to distract predators from its body. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
A highly adaptable and common snake with a diet that includes slugs, worms, amphibians, and rodents. It gives birth to live young. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Whipsnake
A fast-moving, diurnal snake that actively hunts lizards, small mammals, and birds. It is non-venomous and will bite readily if handled. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Whiptail
A slender, fast-moving lizard that actively forages for insects and other arthropods during the day. Known for its jerky movements and long, whip-like tail. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
Western Worm Snake
A small, secretive burrowing snake that spends most of its life underground, feeding almost exclusively on earthworms. It is harmless to humans. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2007; ReptileDB 2024)
White-bellied Carpet Viper
A dangerously venomous viper with strongly keeled scales that produce a rasping sound when rubbed together as a threat display. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
White-bellied Worm Lizard
A legless, burrowing reptile that can move both forwards and backwards with equal ease. It is a powerful digger, preying on subterranean insects. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2019; ReptileDB 2024)
White-eyed Crocodile Skink
A unique, heavily armored lizard with a prominent white ring around its eye, giving it a dragon-like appearance. It is one of the few lizards that vocalizes. Status: Not Evaluated. (ReptileDB 2024)
White-lipped Mud Turtle
A small, semi-aquatic turtle named for the pale coloration around its mouth. It is an omnivore that often forages along the bottom of its habitat. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
White-lipped Pit Viper
A common and widespread venomous pit viper. It is primarily arboreal and nocturnal, and its bites are a frequent cause of envenomation in its range. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2012; ReptileDB 2024)
White-lipped Python
A non-venomous python known for its iridescent scales and distinct white markings on its lips. It is a nocturnal predator of small mammals and birds. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2018; ReptileDB 2024)
White-spotted Wall Gecko
A large, robust gecko with prominent adhesive pads, allowing it to climb sheer surfaces. It is often found on buildings, hunting insects attracted to lights. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
White-throated Monitor
A very large and heavy-bodied lizard that is an active forager, feeding on a wide range of prey including insects, reptiles, birds, and carrion. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
Williams’ Mud Turtle
A medium-sized aquatic side-necked turtle. It is a poorly understood species with populations threatened by habitat degradation and exploitation for food. Status: Endangered. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
Woma
Also known as the Woma Python, this non-venomous snake is a specialized burrow-dweller that preys on other reptiles. It is considered Vulnerable in some regions. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2017; ReptileDB 2024)
Wonder Gecko
A nocturnal gecko adapted to desert life, with large eyes and fish-like scales. It can produce a loud rattling sound by rubbing its scales together. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
Wood Turtle
A charismatic semi-aquatic turtle known for its intelligence and sculpted carapace. Populations are severely threatened by habitat loss and illegal collection. Status: Endangered. (IUCN 2023; ReptileDB 2024)
Worm-like Blindsnake
A harmless, primitive snake adapted for a burrowing lifestyle. It is rarely seen on the surface and feeds on ants and their pupae. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2021; ReptileDB 2024)
Writhing Skink
A small, snake-like skink with four tiny, almost vestigial legs. It burrows through loose soil and leaf litter in search of small insects. Status: Least Concern. (IUCN 2018; ReptileDB 2024)