This list includes 31 Reptiles that start with F, from “False Coral Snake” to “Furrowed Wood Turtle”. They range from small, secretive snakes to large freshwater turtles and serve as identification, pet-care, and conservation references.
Reptiles that start with F are a diverse group of species whose common names begin with “F”. For example, the False Coral Snake mimics venomous coral snakes, a trait that long intrigued naturalists.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Average adult size.
Common name: The everyday name used in guides and pet listings, so you can quickly match what you see to an entry.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial that uniquely identifies each species, helping you find precise research and distribution information.
Habitat: A concise description of where the species commonly lives, which helps you understand its geographic and ecological context.
Average adult size: Typical adult measurement listed with the measurement type noted, so you can judge animal size for identification or care.
Sources: The Reptile Database; IUCN Red List. Last updated: 2025-12-01.
Reptiles that start with F
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult size (cm; measurement type) |
|---|---|---|---|
| False Coral Snake | Erythrolamprus aesculapii | Tropical rainforest, forest edges | 90 cm (TL) |
| False Water Cobra | Hydrodynastes gigas | Freshwater marshes, swamps, river floodplains | 200 cm (TL) |
| Fan-footed Gecko | Ptyodactylus guttatus | Arid rocky outcrops, cliffs, human dwellings | 8 cm (SVL) |
| Fan-throated Lizard | Sitana ponticeriana | Arid scrubland, open grassy areas | 8 cm (SVL) |
| Fer-de-Lance | Bothrops atrox | Tropical forests, plantations, agricultural areas | 125 cm (TL) |
| Fijian Banded Iguana | Brachylophus fasciatus | Coastal forests, mangroves, agricultural areas | 60 cm (TL) |
| Fijian Crested Iguana | Brachylophus vitiensis | Tropical dry forest | 75 cm (TL) |
| File Snake | Acrochordus granulatus | Coastal mangroves, estuaries, shallow seas | 60 cm (TL) |
| Fire Skink | Lepidothyris fernandi | Humid forests, woodlands, plantations | 35 cm (TL) |
| Five-lined Skink | Plestiodon fasciatus | Moist woodlands, forest edges, suburban gardens | 8 cm (SVL) |
| Flap-necked Chameleon | Chamaeleo dilepis | Savanna, woodland, suburban gardens | 35 cm (TL) |
| Flat-backed Spider Tortoise | Pyxis planicauda | Dry deciduous forest | 13 cm (carapace length) |
| Flat-headed Musk Turtle | Sternotherus depressus | Clear, rocky streams and small rivers | 11 cm (carapace length) |
| Flat-headed Snake | Tantilla gracilis | Prairies, rocky hillsides, open woodlands | 20 cm (TL) |
| Flat-tailed Gecko | Hemidactylus platyurus | Tropical forests, human dwellings, urban areas | 6 cm (SVL) |
| Florida Cooter | Pseudemys floridana | Freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes | 33 cm (carapace length) |
| Florida Cottonmouth | Agkistrodon conanti | Swamps, marshes, edges of lakes and streams | 90 cm (TL) |
| Florida Kingsnake | Lampropeltis getula floridana | Pine forests, wetlands, agricultural fields | 120 cm (TL) |
| Florida Scrub Lizard | Sceloporus woodi | Sand pine and oak scrub habitats | 6 cm (SVL) |
| Florida Softshell Turtle | Apalone ferox | Ponds, lakes, slow-moving rivers, canals | 45 cm (carapace length) |
| Flowerpot Snake | Indotyphlops braminus | Moist soil, gardens, agricultural land | 15 cm (TL) |
| Flying Lizard | Draco volans | Tropical rainforest canopy | 9 cm (SVL) |
| Forest Cobra | Naja melanoleuca | Rainforest, savanna, riverine forest | 220 cm (TL) |
| Forest Dragon | Gonocephalus grandis | Humid lowland and montane rainforests | 15 cm (SVL) |
| Forsten’s Tortoise | Indotestudo forstenii | Tropical forests, scrubland | 25 cm (carapace length) |
| Four-horned Chameleon | Trioceros quadricornis | Montane rainforests | 30 cm (TL) |
| Four-lined Snake | Elaphe quatuorlineata | Open woodlands, scrubland, rocky slopes | 180 cm (TL) |
| Fox Snake | Pantherophis vulpinus | Prairies, farmland, open woodlands | 110 cm (TL) |
| Fringe-toed Lizard | Uma notata | Fine, loose sand dunes in deserts | 10 cm (SVL) |
| Frilled Lizard | Chlamydosaurus kingii | Tropical savanna and woodland | 85 cm (TL) |
| Furrowed Wood Turtle | Rhinoclemmys areolata | Savannas, marshes, tropical forests | 20 cm (carapace length) |
Descriptions
False Coral Snake
A non-venomous snake that mimics venomous coral snakes for defense. Found across South America, its color patterns can vary greatly, confusing predators and humans alike.
False Water Cobra
A large, rear-fanged venomous snake from South America. Despite its name, it is not a true cobra but can flatten its neck into a hood. Popular in the exotic pet trade.
Fan-footed Gecko
Named for its large, fan-like toe pads that allow it to climb sheer rock faces. This nocturnal gecko is native to North Africa and the Middle East, often found near ruins.
Fan-throated Lizard
Known for the male’s spectacular, multicolored throat fan (dewlap), which he flashes to attract mates and defend territory. Found across the Indian subcontinent.
Fer-de-Lance
A highly venomous pit viper from South America. The name “Fer-de-Lance,” French for “spearhead,” is often applied to several related species, making identification crucial.
Fijian Banded Iguana
Native to Fiji and introduced to other Pacific islands. Males are emerald green with vertical blue or white bands, while females are solid green. It is an arboreal lizard.
Fijian Crested Iguana
A critically endangered lizard found only on a few small islands in Fiji. It is recognized by the prominent crest of spines on its neck and back. Conservation is vital for its survival.
File Snake
An aquatic snake with rough, granular skin like a file, which helps it grip slippery fish. It is fully adapted to a marine environment, even giving birth to live young in the water.
Fire Skink
A strikingly colored lizard from West Africa, known for its bright red sides and robust body. It is a popular and generally docile species in the pet trade.
Five-lined Skink
Widespread in eastern North America. Juveniles are famous for their five bright lines and brilliant blue tail, which fades as they mature. The name can refer to several similar species.
Flap-necked Chameleon
One of the most common chameleons in Africa. It gets its name from the large, fleshy lobes or “flaps” on the back of its head, which it raises when threatened.
Flat-backed Spider Tortoise
A critically endangered tortoise from western Madagascar. It has a uniquely flattened shell allowing it to hide in small crevices. Also called the Flat-tailed Tortoise.
Flat-headed Musk Turtle
A small, threatened turtle with a very flattened shell, found only in the Black Warrior River system in Alabama. Its unique shape allows it to hide under rocks.
Flat-headed Snake
A tiny, secretive, and harmless snake from the south-central United States. It is a burrowing species that primarily feeds on centipedes and insect larvae.
Flat-tailed Gecko
A common house gecko across Southeast Asia, named for its distinctively flattened tail. It uses its specialized toe pads to easily climb walls and ceilings in search of insects.
Florida Cooter
A large freshwater turtle native to the southeastern United States. It is primarily herbivorous and can often be seen basking on logs or banks alongside other turtle species.
Florida Cottonmouth
A venomous pit viper found in Florida and southern Georgia. When threatened, it displays the white interior of its mouth. Often confused with harmless water snakes.
Florida Kingsnake
A subspecies of the Eastern Kingsnake found in Florida. Known for its variable pattern of yellow scales on a dark background, creating a “chain-link” or speckled appearance.
Florida Scrub Lizard
A small lizard endemic to specific, sandy scrub areas in Florida. Its survival is tied to this threatened habitat, making it a species of conservation concern.
Florida Softshell Turtle
A large aquatic turtle with a leathery, pancake-like shell instead of a hard, bony one. It has a long neck and snorkel-like snout for breathing while submerged.
Flowerpot Snake
A tiny, burrowing snake often mistaken for an earthworm. It reproduces parthenogenetically (all individuals are female) and has spread globally in the soil of potted plants.
Flying Lizard
Famous for its ability to glide between trees using extendable membranes (patagia) supported by its ribs. This small lizard from Southeast Asia does not truly fly but is a master glider.
Forest Cobra
Africa’s largest true cobra. It is a highly venomous, semi-aquatic snake that is an excellent climber and swimmer, preying on fish, frogs, and small mammals.
Forest Dragon
Also called the Giant Anglehead Lizard, this species from Southeast Asia has a prominent crest on its head and neck. It is an arboreal lizard that relies on camouflage to avoid predators.
Forsten’s Tortoise
A medium-sized tortoise found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This species is threatened by habitat loss and collection for the pet trade.
Four-horned Chameleon
A remarkable chameleon from the mountains of Cameroon and Nigeria. Males possess two pairs of prominent horns on their snout, which they use in territorial disputes.
Four-lined Snake
One of Europe’s largest non-venomous snakes. Adults are yellowish-brown with four distinct dark stripes running down their body, though these are more prominent in juveniles.
Fox Snake
A non-venomous constrictor from the Great Lakes region of North America. When threatened, it vibrates its tail and emits a musky, fox-like odor from its cloaca.
Fringe-toed Lizard
Perfectly adapted to desert life, with fringe-like scales on its toes that act like snowshoes on sand. It can “swim” through sand to escape predators or extreme heat.
Frilled Lizard
An iconic Australian lizard famous for the large, expandable frill around its neck. It displays this frill to intimidate predators and runs bipedally when escaping danger.
Furrowed Wood Turtle
A semi-terrestrial turtle from Central America. Its carapace (upper shell) is marked by distinct growth rings, or furrows, giving it a sculpted appearance.