Here you’ll find 10 Reptiles that start with Z, organized from “Zambezi Flap-shelled Turtle” to “Zweifel’s Beaked Gecko”. Many are freshwater turtles or small geckos, and several names reflect their regional or discoverer associations.

Reptiles that start with Z are species whose common names begin with the letter Z. For example, the Zambezi Flap-shelled Turtle is named for its river habitat, linking biology and local geography.

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

Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly recognize each reptile and connect it to field guides or pet care resources.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial tells you precise species identity and helps when you search databases or scientific literature.

Habitat: Describes where the species lives, so you can understand its ecology and where to observe it in nature.

Average size: Gives typical adult measurements in centimeters and notes form measured, helping you compare species at a glance.

Sources: The Reptile Database; IUCN Red List. Last updated: 2025-12-01.

Reptiles that start with Z

Common nameScientific nameHabitatAverage adult size (cm, measurement type)
Zambezi Flap-shelled TurtleCycloderma frenatumRivers, swamps, and lakes in the Zambezi River system, southeastern Africa56 (CL)
Zarudny’s Rock GeckoBunopus tuberculatusArid rocky or sandy areas from the Middle East to Pakistan6 (SVL)
Zebra SkinkTrachylepis dichromaRocky outcrops and savannas in Kenya and Tanzania9 (SVL)
Zebra-tailed LizardCallisaurus draconoidesArid deserts with sandy soil in the southwestern US and northern Mexico9 (SVL)
Zigzag GeckoGekko zigzagForests of the central and southern Philippines9.5 (SVL)
Zinner’s Keel-scaled LizardAlgyroides zinneriScrubland and rocky areas in a very small region of Croatia5 (SVL)
Zong’s odd-scaled snakeAchalinus zongrinensisMontane forests in Sichuan province, China40 (TL)
Zoutpansberg Rock LizardVhembelacerta rupicolaSandstone formations in the Zoutpansberg Mountains, South Africa7 (SVL)
Zululand Dwarf ChameleonBradypodion nemoraleAfromontane and coastal scarp forests of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa14 (TL)
Zweifel’s Beaked GeckoGekko zweifeliForests of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea12 (SVL)

Descriptions

Zambezi Flap-shelled Turtle
A large freshwater turtle with a soft, leathery shell instead of hard scutes.
Zarudny’s Rock Gecko
A small, nocturnal gecko with prominent tubercles on its back, well-adapted to desert life.
Zebra Skink
A robust skink with a bold pattern of black and pale stripes, resembling a zebra.
Zebra-tailed Lizard
A very fast lizard known for its black-and-white banded tail, which it curls over its back.
Zigzag Gecko
A nocturnal, arboreal gecko from the Philippines, named for the distinct zigzag pattern running down its back.
Zinner’s Keel-scaled Lizard
A critically endangered small lizard found only in Croatia, with distinctly keeled dorsal scales.
Zong’s odd-scaled snake
A rare, secretive snake with unique, non-overlapping scales giving it a rough, file-like texture.
Zoutpansberg Rock Lizard
A small, flattened lizard perfectly adapted for life in rock crevices in one specific mountain range.
Zululand Dwarf Chameleon
A small, forest-dwelling chameleon endemic to a specific region of South Africa, with excellent natural camouflage.
Zweifel’s Beaked Gecko
A large gecko from Bougainville Island with a distinctively shaped snout, named for herpetologist Richard G. Zweifel.
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