This list includes 25 Reptiles that start with G, from “Gaboon Viper” to “Ground Snake, Western”. These entries cover snakes, lizards and turtles commonly referenced in field guides, conservation work, and pet care.
Reptiles that start with G are species across multiple reptile groups whose common names begin with the letter G. Notably, the Gaboon viper is famous for its large fangs and excellent forest camouflage.
Below you’ll find the table with “Common name”, “Scientific name”, “Habitat”, and “Average adult size (cm, measurement)”.
Common name: The familiar name helps you quickly recognize species in field guides or casual reference.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial lets you precisely identify species for research and international communication.
Habitat: Short habitat notes tell you where each species lives, aiding field searches and conservation context.
Average adult size (cm, measurement): Lists adult length in cm and specifies whether measurement is total length, SVL, or carapace.
Reptiles that start with G
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult size (cm & measurement type) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaboon Viper | Bitis gabonica | Rainforest and woodland floors | 135 (TL) |
| Gharial | Gavialis gangeticus | Large river systems | 450 (TL) |
| Gargoyle Gecko | Rhacodactylus auriculatus | Forests of New Caledonia | 20 (TL) |
| Garter Snake, Common | Thamnophis sirtalis | Wetlands, forests, fields | 60 (TL) |
| Garter Snake, Giant | Thamnophis gigas | Marshes and wetlands | 120 (TL) |
| Geometric Tortoise | Psammobates geometricus | Lowland fynbos habitat | 14 (CL) |
| Gila Monster | Heloderma suspectum | Arid desert scrubland | 50 (TL) |
| Giant Day Gecko | Phelsuma grandis | Tropical forests, human dwellings | 28 (TL) |
| Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko | Uroplatus fimbriatus | Rainforests of Madagascar | 30 (TL) |
| Glass Lizard, Eastern | Ophisaurus ventralis | Coastal plains, grasslands | 75 (TL) |
| Gold-dust Day Gecko | Phelsuma laticauda | Tropical forests, urban areas | 13 (TL) |
| Golden Gecko | Gekko badenii | Tropical rainforests | 18 (TL) |
| Gopher Snake | Pituophis catenifer | Prairies, deserts, woodlands | 150 (TL) |
| Gopher Tortoise | Gopherus polyphemus | Sandy longleaf pine forests | 30 (CL) |
| Gould’s Monitor | Varanus gouldii | Woodlands and grasslands | 140 (TL) |
| Gray-banded Kingsnake | Lampropeltis alterna | Arid rocky canyons | 90 (TL) |
| Green Anaconda | Eunectes murinus | Swamps, slow-moving rivers | 500 (TL) |
| Green Basilisk | Basiliscus plumifrons | Tropical rainforests near water | 80 (TL) |
| Green Iguana | Iguana iguana | Tropical forests, riverbanks | 150 (TL) |
| Green Keelback | Rhabdophis plumbicolor | Wetlands and agricultural areas | 60 (TL) |
| Green Mamba, Eastern | Dendroaspis angusticeps | Coastal forests and woodlands | 180 (TL) |
| Green Mamba, Western | Dendroaspis viridis | West African coastal rainforests | 200 (TL) |
| Green Sea Turtle | Chelonia mydas | Tropical and subtropical oceans | 100 (CL) |
| Green Tree Python | Morelia viridis | Rainforest canopy | 180 (TL) |
| Ground Snake, Western | Sonora semiannulata | Arid to semi-arid habitats | 30 (TL) |
Descriptions
Gaboon Viper
A heavy-bodied viper with the longest fangs of any snake, known for its beautiful geometric pattern that provides excellent camouflage.
Gharial
A critically endangered crocodilian identified by its extremely long, narrow snout lined with sharp teeth, perfectly adapted for catching fish.
Gargoyle Gecko
A semi-arboreal gecko named for the horn-like bumps on its head. It is known for its prehensile tail and varied color patterns.
Garter Snake, Common
One of North America’s most common snakes, recognizable by its characteristic stripes. Harmless to humans, it often lives in suburban gardens.
Garter Snake, Giant
One of the largest garter snakes, this highly aquatic species from California’s Central Valley feeds primarily on fish and frogs.
Geometric Tortoise
A critically endangered tortoise from South Africa, named for the striking star-like patterns on its shell which provide excellent camouflage.
Gila Monster
One of the world’s few venomous lizards, this slow-moving reptile from the southwestern U.S. has a distinctive, bead-like skin.
Giant Day Gecko
A large, brilliantly green gecko from Madagascar. Active during the day, it is a popular terrarium species that feeds on insects and nectar.
Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko
A master of camouflage, this nocturnal gecko has a flattened body and leaf-shaped tail, allowing it to blend in perfectly with tree bark.
Glass Lizard, Eastern
A legless lizard often mistaken for a snake. It gets its name from its fragile tail, which can break easily as a defense mechanism.
Gold-dust Day Gecko
A small, vibrant green gecko with yellow speckles on its neck and blue “eyeshadow”. Native to Madagascar but introduced to Hawaii and other islands.
Golden Gecko
A striking gecko from Vietnam known for its bright golden-yellow coloration and large eyes adapted for a nocturnal lifestyle.
Gopher Snake
A large, non-venomous North American snake that often mimics rattlesnakes by hissing loudly and vibrating its tail when threatened.
Gopher Tortoise
A keystone species of the southeastern U.S., this tortoise digs extensive burrows that provide shelter for hundreds of other animals.
Gould’s Monitor
A large, active monitor lizard from Australia, also known as the Sand Goanna. It is a powerful predator that digs large burrows for shelter.
Gray-banded Kingsnake
A beautifully patterned snake from the Chihuahuan Desert, known for its striking and highly variable bands of gray, orange, and red.
Green Anaconda
One of the world’s largest snakes by mass, this South American giant is a non-venomous constrictor famous for its aquatic lifestyle.
Green Basilisk
Famous as the “Jesus Christ lizard” for its ability to run across the surface of water for short distances to escape predators.
Green Iguana
A large, tree-dwelling lizard native to Central and South America. Popular in the pet trade, it is an invasive species in many regions.
Green Keelback
A non-venomous (but rear-fanged) snake found in South and Southeast Asia, often identified by its olive-green color and keeled scales.
Green Mamba, Eastern
A highly venomous, slender, tree-dwelling snake from coastal East Africa. Despite its potent venom, it is a shy species that avoids confrontation.
Green Mamba, Western
A long, slender, and highly venomous arboreal snake. It is known for its agility and large, keeled scales giving it a slightly rough appearance.
Green Sea Turtle
A large, migratory sea turtle named for the green color of its body fat. It primarily feeds on seagrasses as an adult.
Green Tree Python
A non-venomous python from New Guinea and Australia, famous for coiling on branches with its head in the center. Juveniles are yellow or red.
Ground Snake, Western
A small, secretive snake from the western U.S. and Mexico. It is highly variable, with some individuals banded and others a solid color.