This list includes 34 Reptiles that start with S, from “Sagebrush Lizard” to “Sulcata Tortoise”. These species span small desert lizards to large tortoises and include snakes, geckos, skinks and turtles. Use this list for field identification, pet reference, classroom projects, and conservation awareness.

Reptiles that start with S are species whose common names begin with the letter S and occur worldwide. A notable example is the Sulcata Tortoise, prized in captivity and remarkable for its large size.

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

Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly recognize species and match them to local guides or pet records.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial lets you find precise species information and avoid confusion across regions.

Habitat: Brief habitat notes tell you where the species lives, useful for field searches or study planning.

Average size (measurement type): Gives typical adult length or carapace/SVL and the measurement type so you can compare species easily.

Reptiles that start with S

Common name Scientific name Habitat Average adult size (cm) Description
Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus coastal marine 400 cm (total length) The largest living crocodilian, Indo-Pacific coasts; powerful ambush predator, males commonly reach around 4 m, dangerous to people.
Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis grassland 40 cm (total length) Small slender North American snake that eats insects, often bright green and secretive in meadows and edges.
Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca heathland 60 cm (total length) European nonvenomous snake that preys on lizards, shy and secretive in heath and woodland habitats.
Sidewinder Crotalus cerastes desert 65 cm (total length) Desert rattlesnake named for sidewinding locomotion; small, ambushes rodents and lizards among dunes.
Saw-scaled Viper Echis carinatus desert 60 cm (total length) Small, highly venomous viper of Africa and Asia; short, irritable, medically important due to frequent bites.
Scarlet Kingsnake Lampropeltis elapsoides pine forest 50 cm (total length) Colorful coral-snake mimic in southeastern US pinewoods; constrictor feeding on small reptiles and amphibians.
Scarlet Snake Cemophora coccinea sandy woodlands 50 cm (total length) Secretive burrowing snake of the southeastern US with red-and-black bands; specializes on reptile eggs.
Sandfish Scincus scincus desert 20 cm (total length) Sand-swimming skink of North African deserts that “dives” into dunes; streamlined body and smooth scales for burrowing.
Shingleback Tiliqua rugosa shrubland 45 cm (total length) Short, heavy Australian blue-tongued skink with a blocky head and armored tail; omnivorous and slow-moving.
Sailfin Lizard Hydrosaurus amboinensis coastal forest 100 cm (total length) Large Southeast Asian agamid with sail-like tail crest; excellent swimmer living near rivers, eats plants and animals.
Slow Worm Anguis fragilis grassland 40 cm (total length) Legless lizard common in Europe; secretive, eats invertebrates and can drop its tail to escape.
Spiny-tailed Monitor Varanus acanthurus rocky scrub 90 cm (total length) Small Australian monitor with spiny tail scales; diurnal, insectivorous, and agile on rocky outcrops.
Savannah Monitor Varanus exanthematicus savanna 120 cm (total length) Stocky African monitor common in savanna; omnivorous with a powerful bite, often kept by reptile enthusiasts.
Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina freshwater 40 cm (carapace length) Widespread North American turtle with powerful jaws and long tail; common in slow waters, can be aggressive when handled.
Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera freshwater 30 cm (carapace length) North American softshell with small spiny tubercles along the shell edge; very aquatic and fast-swimming.
Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica freshwater 25 cm (carapace length) Stream-dwelling North American softshell with flat, leathery shell and snorkel-like nose for breathing.
Sulcata Tortoise Centrochelys sulcata arid savanna 70 cm (carapace length) African spurred tortoise, third-largest tortoise species; grazes dry savannas and is popular in the pet trade.
Spectacled Caiman Caiman crocodilus freshwater 150 cm (total length) Small caiman of Central and South America, named for a light band between the eyes; inhabits rivers and wetlands.
Striped Basilisk Basiliscus vittatus tropical forest 70 cm (total length) Central American “Jesus lizard” that can run across water using large hind feet; crested and fast.
South American River Turtle Podocnemis expansa freshwater 60 cm (carapace length) Large Amazonian river turtle that nests on sandy floodplain beaches; ecologically and culturally important.
Short-horned Lizard Phrynosoma hernandesi grassland 10 cm (total length) Stocky horned lizard blending into western US landscapes; feeds mainly on ants and uses spiky defenses.
Stimson’s Python Antaresia stimsoni woodland 120 cm (total length) Small Australian python that is gentle and commonly kept in captivity; inhabits dry woodlands and feeds on small mammals.
Southern Alligator Lizard Elgaria multicarinata woodland 25 cm (total length) Californian lizard with keeled scales and long tail; versatile predator of insects and small vertebrates.
Saharan Sand Boa Eryx muelleri desert 70 cm (total length) Stout burrowing boa of North African deserts; hides under sand to ambush rodents and lizards.
Speckled Kingsnake Lampropeltis holbrooki woodland 90 cm (total length) North American constrictor with white speckles; adaptable to many habitats and eats snakes, rodents, and amphibians.
Spanish Pond Turtle Mauremys leprosa freshwater 20 cm (carapace length) Mediterranean pond turtle common in Iberian wetlands; omnivorous and tolerant of altered habitats.
Spotted Turtle Glyptemys guttata freshwater marsh 10 cm (carapace length) Small North American turtle with yellow spots on a dark shell; semi-aquatic and vulnerable to habitat loss.
Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis freshwater 300 cm (total length) Critically endangered Southeast Asian freshwater crocodile; smaller than saltwater species and threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
Striped Mud Turtle Kinosternon baurii freshwater 10 cm (carapace length) Small southeastern US turtle with distinct striping; secretive and inhabits shallow wetlands and ponds.
Saharan Horned Viper Cerastes cerastes desert 60 cm (total length) Iconic North African viper with supraocular horns; buries in sand and ambushes passing prey.
Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus graciosus shrubland 15 cm (total length) Western North American lizard of dry shrublands; active insectivore with keeled scales and quick bursts of speed.
Spectacled Cobra Naja naja open woodland 120 cm (total length) Widespread Indian cobra with distinctive hood pattern; highly venomous and culturally significant.
South American Bushmaster Lachesis muta tropical forest 200 cm (total length) Large nocturnal pit viper of South American forests; elusive ambush predator with potent venom.
Sheltopusik Pseudopus apodus grassland 120 cm (total length) Also called Pallas’s glass lizard, a legless lizard of Eurasian steppes; large, slow-moving predator of small animals.

Descriptions

Saltwater Crocodile
Smooth Green Snake
Smooth Snake
Sidewinder
Saw-scaled Viper
Scarlet Kingsnake
Scarlet Snake
Sandfish
Shingleback
Sailfin Lizard
Slow Worm
Spiny-tailed Monitor
Savannah Monitor
Snapping Turtle
Spiny Softshell
Smooth Softshell
Sulcata Tortoise
Spectacled Caiman
Striped Basilisk
South American River Turtle
Short-horned Lizard
Stimson’s Python
Southern Alligator Lizard
Saharan Sand Boa
Speckled Kingsnake
Spanish Pond Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Siamese Crocodile
Striped Mud Turtle
Saharan Horned Viper
Sagebrush Lizard
Spectacled Cobra
South American Bushmaster
Sheltopusik
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.