List of reptiles of Ireland

There is only one known land reptile species native to Ireland, the viviparous lizard. It appears to have a widespread distribution across the entire island with coastal, bogland and mountainous areas showing highest numbers of sightings.

Five marine turtle species appear regularly off the west coast but do not come ashore. All are endangered, some critically. The pond turtle is introduced.

Subclass: Diapsida

Infraclass: Lepidosauromorpha

Superorder: Lepidosauria

Order: Squamata (lizards, snakes)

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• Suborder: Lacertilia (lizards)
  • Family: Lacertidae
    • Subfamily: Lacertinae
      • Genus: Zootoca
        • Viviparous lizard, Zootoca vivipara LC
  • Family: Anguidae
    • Subfamily: Anguinae
      • Genus: Anguis
        • Slowworm, Anguis fragilis NE (believed to be a more recent introduction, with confirmed sightings only in The Burren)

Order: Testudines (turtles)

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• Suborder: Cryptodira
  • Superfamily: Chelonioidea (sea turtles)
    • Family: Dermochelyidae
      • Genus: Dermochelys
        • Leatherback sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea LC
    • Family: Cheloniidae
      • Genus: Chelonia
        • Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas EN
      • Genus: Eretmochelys
        • Hawksbill sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata CR
      • Genus: Lepidochelys
        • Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempii CR Vagrant
      • Genus: Caretta
        • Loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta VU
  • Superfamily: Testudinoidea (pond turtles)
    • Family: Emydidae
      • Genus: Trachemys
        • Pond slider, Trachemys scripta LC Introduced

References

• King, G.L. and Berrow, S.D. (2009) Marine turtles in Irish waters. Special Supplement to the Irish Naturalists' Journal (30 pages)

External links

• nationalgeographic.com: Snakeless in Ireland: Blame Ice Age, Not St. Patrick
• Turtles stranded in Ireland
• "Ireland Red List No.5 Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish"