This list includes 14 Reptiles that start with H, from “Habu” to “Hump-nosed viper”. They include snakes and lizards often found in tropical forests and freshwater habitats, some with cultural or medical significance.

Reptiles that start with H are species whose common names begin with the letter H. For example, the Habu figures in Okinawan culture, and several H-species are important in venom research.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Average size (cm).

Common name: You see the widely used English name, so you can quickly recognize species in field guides or everyday references.

Scientific name: Provides the Latin binomial so you can confirm exact species identity and locate authoritative information.

Habitat: Summarizes the typical environment where the species lives, helping you understand distribution and encounter likelihood.

Average size (cm): Shows average adult size in centimeters with the measurement type, so you can compare species quickly.

Reptiles that start with H

Common nameScientific nameHabitatAverage adult size (cm)
Hawksbill sea turtleEretmochelys imbricatamarine85 cm (carapace)
Hermann’s tortoiseTestudo hermanniMediterranean scrub18 cm (carapace)
Horsfield’s tortoiseAgrionemys horsfieldiiarid scrub20 cm (carapace)
House geckoHemidactylus frenatusurban12 cm (TL)
Hispaniolan boaChilabothrus striatustropical forest120 cm (TL)
Horned viperCerastes cerastesarid dunes60 cm (TL)
Hump-nosed viperHypnale hypnalerainforest40 cm (TL)
Highland copperheadAustrelaps ramsayitemperate forest100 cm (TL)
HabuProtobothrops flavoviridisrocky forest120 cm (TL)
Hardwicke’s spiny-tailed lizardUromastyx hardwickiiarid scrub40 cm (TL)
Helmeted terrapinPelomedusa subrufafreshwater marsh25 cm (carapace)
Horsfield’s flying lizardDraco horsfieldiitropical forest22 cm (TL)
Himalayan pit viperGloydius himalayanusmontane forest60 cm (TL)
Helmeted iguanaCorytophanes cristatustropical forest22 cm (TL)

Descriptions

Hawksbill sea turtle
Tropical coral-reef turtle with a pointed beak and overlapping scutes; critically endangered and often feeds on sponges in warm coastal waters.
Hermann’s tortoise
Small Mediterranean tortoise with a domed, colorful shell; prefers dry scrub and rocky hillsides and reaches about 12–20 cm as an adult.
Horsfield’s tortoise
Also called the Russian tortoise, a hardy desert species that burrows to escape heat and is popular in captivity.
House gecko
Small, nocturnal gecko common on buildings worldwide; excellent climber with sticky toes, often seen hunting insects near lights.
Hispaniolan boa
Nonvenomous boa from Hispaniola; an ambush predator that climbs trees and typically reaches around a meter or more.
Horned viper
Sand-dwelling viper with characteristic supraocular “horns” and sidewinding movement; well adapted to deserts in North Africa and the Middle East.
Hump-nosed viper
Small, stout venomous snake from Sri Lanka and southwestern India; notable for a raised nasal scale and leaf-litter camouflage.
Highland copperhead
Australian venomous snake of cooler highland streams and woodlands; typically dark with coppery tones and moderate length.
Habu
Known locally as the Habu in Okinawa, this large pitviper is venomous and often found in rocky, forested habitats.
Hardwicke’s spiny-tailed lizard
Desert specialist with a stout body and spiny tail used for defense; largely herbivorous and basks on rocks in South Asian drylands.
Helmeted terrapin
Often called the African helmeted turtle, an adaptable freshwater species found in ponds and marshes with a rounded, hard shell.
Horsfield’s flying lizard
Small “flying” lizard with wing-like patagia for gliding between trees; commonly seen in Southeast Asian forests.
Himalayan pit viper
Cold-tolerant viper found at high elevations in the Himalayas, ambushing small mammals along forest floors and rocky slopes.
Helmeted iguana
Cryptic, casque-headed lizard that mimics leaves and bark; perches motionless on trunks in Neotropical forests and blends into its surroundings.
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