This list includes 29 Reptiles that start with L that begin with L, from “Labord’s Chameleon” to “Lowland Copperhead”. It covers species ranging from small geckos to large snakes and turtles, useful for identification, study, and casual reference.
Reptiles that start with L are species whose common names begin with the letter L. Many are familiar groups like lizards and snakes, including Labord’s chameleon, a notable Malagasy endemic.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Average size (cm), and Measurement type.
Common name: The widely used vernacular name helps you quickly recognize species in field guides, pet listings, and general references.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise species identification so you avoid confusion between similar common names across regions.
Habitat: A concise habitat note shows where the species lives so you can narrow searches and understand ecological context.
Average size (cm): Typical adult size in centimeters helps you compare species and plan housing, handling, or observation expectations.
Measurement type: Indicates whether size is total length, snout–vent length, or carapace length for accurate comparisons between species.
Sources: The Reptile Database; IUCN Red List; recent taxonomic literature. Last updated: 2025-12-01.
Reptiles that start with L
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard Gecko | Eublepharis macularius | Arid grasslands and rocky deserts of Asia. | 22 cm (total length) |
| Lace Monitor | Varanus varius | Forests and woodlands of eastern Australia. | 175 cm (total length) |
| Leatherback Sea Turtle | Dermochelys coriacea | Pelagic, open ocean; nests on sandy, tropical beaches. | 180 cm (carapace length) |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | Caretta caretta | Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. | 90 cm (carapace length) |
| Leopard Tortoise | Stigmochelys pardalis | Savannas and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. | 45 cm (carapace length) |
| Long-nosed Leopard Lizard | Gambelia wislizenii | Deserts and arid scrublands in North America. | 11 cm (SVL) |
| Lined Day Gecko | Phelsuma lineata | Humid forests, plantations, and gardens in Madagascar. | 12 cm (total length) |
| Lesser Antillean Iguana | Iguana delicatissima | Coastal scrub, mangrove, and dry forests of the Lesser Antilles. | 40 cm (SVL) |
| Long-nosed Whip Snake | Ahaetulla nasuta | Lowland forests, scrublands, and gardens in South and Southeast Asia. | 150 cm (total length) |
| Long-tailed Grass Lizard | Takydromus sexlineatus | Tropical grasslands and open woodlands in Southeast Asia. | 30 cm (total length) |
| Lined Snake | Tropidoclonion lineatum | Prairies, glades, and vacant urban lots. | 30 cm (total length) |
| Long-nosed Snake | Rhinocheilus lecontei | Arid deserts, scrublands, and prairies in North America. | 75 cm (total length) |
| Louisiana Pine Snake | Pituophis ruthveni | Longleaf pine savannas with sandy, well-drained soils. | 140 cm (total length) |
| Lataste’s Viper | Vipera latastei | Rocky areas, dry scrubland, and open woodlands. | 60 cm (total length) |
| Lowland Copperhead | Austrelaps superbus | Swamps, grasslands, and woodlands near water. | 115 cm (total length) |
| Leopard Snake | Zamenis situla | Rocky hillsides, scrubland, and open woodlands. | 90 cm (total length) |
| Lined Legless Lizard | Delma inornata | Grasslands and open woodlands of eastern Australia. | 15 cm (SVL) |
| Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko | Uroplatus lineatus | Bamboo forests of eastern Madagascar. | 27 cm (total length) |
| Large-headed Anole | Anolis cybotes | Forest edges, gardens, and open woodlands in Hispaniola. | 8 cm (SVL) |
| Levantine Viper | Macrovipera lebetina | Rocky hillsides, scrublands, and agricultural areas. | 150 cm (total length) |
| Lance-headed Rattlesnake | Crotalus polystictus | Grasslands, pine-oak forests, and agricultural lands in central Mexico. | 80 cm (total length) |
| Lesser Horned Lizard | Phrynosoma douglasii | Sagebrush deserts and short-grass prairies of North America. | 6 cm (SVL) |
| Large-scaled Forest Lizard | Calotes grandisquamis | Montane rainforests of the Western Ghats, India. | 14 cm (SVL) |
| Lichtenfelder’s Gecko | Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi | Rocky limestone outcrops in humid forests. | 18 cm (total length) |
| Lesser Earless Lizard | Holbrookia maculata | Sandy or gravelly soils in grasslands and deserts. | 6 cm (SVL) |
| Labord’s Chameleon | Brookesia labordi | Dry deciduous forests in southwestern Madagascar. | 9 cm (total length) |
| Lined Fire-tailed Skink | Morethia ruficauda | Arid, rocky regions and hummock grasslands of Australia. | 4 cm (SVL) |
| Laugier’s Anole | Anolis coelestinus | Humid forests, coffee plantations, and gardens in Hispaniola. | 7 cm (SVL) |
| Lord Howe Island Skink | Oligosoma lichenigerum | Coastal habitats on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. | 9 cm (SVL) |
Descriptions
Leopard Gecko
A popular pet known for its docile nature and movable eyelids. Native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, it stores fat in its distinctive, bulbous tail.
Lace Monitor
A large, arboreal Australian lizard, second only to the perentie. It is a powerful predator and scavenger with striking black and yellow or white bands.
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The largest living turtle, distinguished by its leathery, rubber-like shell. This deep-diving, migratory giant feeds almost exclusively on jellyfish.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Named for its large head and powerful jaws used to crush shelled prey. This migratory turtle is a threatened species found in oceans around the globe.
Leopard Tortoise
A large, attractively marked tortoise named for its spotted shell. It grazes on mixed grasses and seeks shelter in abandoned dens or under vegetation.
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
A fast, aggressive predator from the western US and Mexico. It runs bipedally at high speeds to hunt insects, spiders, and even other smaller lizards.
Lined Day Gecko
A small, vibrant green gecko from Madagascar with red markings and a distinct black line. It is active during the day, feeding on insects and flower nectar.
Lesser Antillean Iguana
A large, critically endangered iguana native to several Caribbean islands. It is threatened by habitat loss and hybridization with the invasive Green Iguana.
Long-nosed Whip Snake
A slender, bright green, arboreal snake with a unique, pointed snout. It is mildly venomous and has remarkable binocular vision to hunt lizards and frogs.
Long-tailed Grass Lizard
A small lizard, also known as the Asian grass lizard, famous for its incredibly long tail, which can be three times the length of its body.
Lined Snake
A small, secretive, nonvenomous snake found in the central United States. It primarily eats earthworms and spends most of its time underground or under cover.
Long-nosed Snake
A colorful, nocturnal snake from the southwestern US and northern Mexico. It has a pointed snout for burrowing and preys on lizards and small rodents.
Louisiana Pine Snake
One of North America’s rarest snakes, found only in parts of Louisiana and Texas. It depends on pocket gopher burrows and is critically endangered.
Lataste’s Viper
A venomous viper from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, easily identified by the distinct, upturned horn-like scale on the tip of its snout.
Lowland Copperhead
A highly venomous snake native to southeastern Australia. Despite its name, it is an elapid, not a true pit viper like the American copperhead.
Leopard Snake
Often considered one of Europe’s most beautiful snakes, this nonvenomous species has a striking pattern of red or brown blotches with black borders.
Lined Legless Lizard
A snake-like lizard belonging to the flap-footed lizard family. It lacks forelimbs and has only tiny, flap-like hind limbs for hunting insects in grass.
Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko
A large, nocturnal gecko with incredible camouflage that mimics bamboo stalks. It has prominent skin fringes along its body and a flattened, leaf-like tail.
Large-headed Anole
A common lizard on the island of Hispaniola. Males are territorial, displaying their pale yellow dewlaps (throat fans) to attract mates and deter rivals.
Levantine Viper
A large, dangerously venomous viper found from North Africa to the Middle East. It is a heavy-bodied snake responsible for many snakebites in its range.
Lance-headed Rattlesnake
A medium-sized venomous pit viper endemic to central Mexico. It is named for the distinct spearhead or lance-shaped markings along its back.
Lesser Horned Lizard
A small, flat-bodied lizard with reduced horns compared to its relatives. Found in the northwestern US, it primarily eats ants and is a master of camouflage.
Large-scaled Forest Lizard
A striking agamid lizard endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Breeding males display a vibrant turquoise head and a bright orange-red body.
Lichtenfelder’s Gecko
A beautiful cave gecko from southern China and Vietnam. It is nocturnal, with a banded pattern of yellow or orange and dark purple or brown.
Lesser Earless Lizard
A small lizard from North America’s Great Plains that lacks external ear openings. It relies on camouflage and speed to avoid predators while hunting insects.
Labord’s Chameleon
A tiny chameleon with one of the shortest lifespans of any four-legged vertebrate, living only 4-5 months. The entire population hatches and dies within a single year.
Lined Fire-tailed Skink
A small, fast-moving skink from central and western Australia, easily recognized by its bright reddish-orange tail, which it uses to distract predators.
Laugier’s Anole
A slender, typically bright green anole from Hispaniola, though it can change color to brown or gray. Males display a pale lavender or whitish dewlap.
Lord Howe Island Skink
A rare skink surviving on offshore islands near Australia. It was once thought extinct on Lord Howe Island until it was rediscovered in 2000.