Reptiles of Eritrea  Related checklists:  Dahlak Archipelago Bibliography of the reptiles of Eritrea Taxonomic history of the reptiles of Eritrea Introduced species

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Citation: Midtgaard, Rune. RepFocus - A Survey of the Reptiles of the World. www.repfocus.dk (Compilation date: 14th April, 2023).

Checklist General remarks: The list includes only formally described species. Newly discovered, but still unnamed species are excluded. However, unnamed species or species unassigned to species level are included, if they are the only representatives of their genus in the region. Species counts exclude extinct and introduced species. Doubtful records, typically older voucher specimens of uncertain origin, have been excluded if considered questionable, as are records based on sources considered unreliable or controversial. Note: Your comments to the checklist (omissions, errors, etc.) are welcomed, preferably if they are provided with reliable references. If possible, please attach a pdf file of the relevant reference to an email addressed to:

	Crocodilians (Crocodylia)
	= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct Species References  Family Crocodylidae (Crocodiles) Genus Crocodylus (Typical Crocodiles)   Crocodylus niloticus Nile Crocodile Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997

	Lizards (Sauria)
	= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct Species References  Family Agamidae (Agamas and Dragons) Genus Acanthocercus (Ridgeback Agamas)   Acanthocercus annectans Eritrean Ridgeback Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Wermuth 1967   Acanthocercus cyanogaster Blue-bellied Ridgeback Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Wermuth 1967   Acanthocercus guentherpetersi Harar Ridgeback Agama Largen & Spawls 2006 Largen & Spawls 2010   Acanthocercus phillipsii Somaliland Ridgeback Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Wermuth 1967 Genus Agama (Typical Agamas)   Agama doriae Nigerian Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Moody & Boehme 1984   Agama hartmanni Dongola Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Wagner & Bauer 2011 Wermuth 1967 [as cornii]   Agama spinosa Egyptian Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Wagner, Leache, Mazuch & Boehme 2013 Genus Pseudotrapelus (Afro-Arabian Desert Agamas)   Pseudotrapelus chlodnickii North East African Desert Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 [as sinaitus] Largen 1997 [as sinaitus] Tamar, Scholz, Crochet, Geniez, Meiri, Schmitz, Wilms & Carranza 2016 Genus Uromastyx (Western Spiny-tailed Agamas)   Uromastyx ocellata Ocellated Spiny-tailed Agama Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Wilms & Boehme 2000 Wilms 2001 Wilms, Boehme, Wagner, Lutzmann & Schmitz 2009  Family Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons) Genus Chamaeleo (Typical Chameleons)   Chamaeleo calcaricarens Spurless Basilisk Chameleon Glaw 2015 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 [as africanus] Parker 1942 [as basiliscus] Tilbury 2010  Family Gekkonidae (Typical Geckos) Genus Cyrtopodion (Palearctic Bent-toed Geckos)   Cyrtopodion scabrum Keeled Rock Gecko Largen & Spawls 2010 Genus Hemidactylus (Half-toed Geckos)   Hemidactylus afarensis Afar Half-toed Gecko Smid, Mazuch, Novakova, Modry, Malonza, Elmi, Carranza & Moravec 2020   Hemidactylus angulatus West African House Gecko Largen & Spawls 2010 [as brookii] Largen 1997 [as brookii]   Hemidactylus flaviviridis Yellow-bellied House Gecko Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997   Hemidactylus foudaii Mount Elba Half-toed Gecko Smid, Mazuch, Novakova, Modry, Malonza, Elmi, Carranza & Moravec 2020   Hemidactylus laticaudatus Broad-tailed Half-toed Gecko Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Mazuch, Smid & Bauer 2016   Hemidactylus robustus Red Sea Half-toed Gecko Carranza & Arnold 2012 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 [as turcicus] Parker 1942 [as turcicus] Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008   Hemidactylus sinaitus Sudan Half-toed Gecko Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Smid, Mazuch, Novakova, Modry, Malonza, Elmi, Carranza & Moravec 2020 Genus Lygodactylus (African-Neotropical Dwarf Geckos)   Lygodactylus sudanensis Sudan Dwarf Gecko Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Wermuth 1965 Genus Stenodactylus (Afro-Asian Thin-toed Geckos)   Stenodactylus sthenodactylus Elegant Thin-toed Gecko Baha el Din 2006 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008  Family Gerrhosauridae (Plated Lizards) Genus Broadleysaurus (Rough-scaled Plated Lizard)   Broadleysaurus major Rough-scaled Plated Lizard Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Loveridge 1957 Parker 1942 Wermuth 1968  Family Lacertidae (Typical Lizards) Genus Acanthodactylus (Fringe-toed Lizards)   Acanthodactylus boskianus Afro-Arabian Fringe-toed Lizard Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Genus Latastia (African Long-tailed Lizards)   Latastia boscai Eritrean Long-tailed Lizard Lanza 1990 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942   Latastia doriai Adal Long-tailed Lizard Bischoff 1991 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997   Latastia longicaudata Common Long-tailed Lizard Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Genus Mesalina (Afro-Asian Desert Lizards)   Mesalina martini Red Sea Desert Lizard Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Yousefkhani, Marin & Rastegar-Pouyani 2015 Genus Philochortus (Shield-backed Ground Lizards)   Philochortus spinalis Eritrean Shield-backed Ground Lizard Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Genus Pseuderemias (Sand Runners)   Pseuderemias mucronata Anseba Sand Runner Lanza 1990 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Szczerbak 1975  Family Phyllodactylidae (Leaf-toed Geckos) Genus Ptyodactylus (Fan-toed Geckos)   Ptyodactylus ragazzii Eritrean Fan-toed Gecko Bauer, Tchibozo, Pauwels & Lenglet 2006 Heimes 1987 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 [as P. hasselquistii] Metallinou, Cervenka, Crochet, Kratochvil, Wilms, Geniez, Shobrak, Brito & Carranza 2015 Parker 1942 [as P. hasselquistii] Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Genus Tarentola (Wall Geckos)   Tarentola annularis Egyptian White-spotted Gecko Joger 1984 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008  Family Scincidae (Skinks) Genus Chalcides (Cylindrical Skinks)   Chalcides ocellatus Mediterranean Ocellated Skink Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997   Chalcides ragazzii Eritrean Cylindrical Skink Carranza, Arnold, Geniez, Roca & Mateo 2008 Greenbaum, Campbell & Raxworthy 2006 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Genus Trachylepis (African-American Grass and Forest Skinks)   Trachylepis brevicollis Short-necked Skink Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Spawls, Howell, Hinkel & Menegon 2018   Trachylepis isselii Eritrean Mountain Grass Skink Koppetsch 2020 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997   Trachylepis quinquetaeniata African Five-lined Skink Koppetsch 2020 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942  Family Sphaerodactylidae (Least Geckos, etc.) Genus Pristurus (Semaphore Geckos)   Pristurus crucifer Cross-marked Semaphore Gecko Arnold 2009 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008   Pristurus flavipunctatus Yellow-spotted Semaphore Gecko Arnold 2009 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Parker 1942 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Wermuth 1965   Pristurus rupestris Rock Semaphore Gecko Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008  Family Varanidae (Monitor Lizards) Genus Varanus (Monitor Lizards)   Varanus exanthematicus Western Savanna Monitor Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Mertens 1963   Varanus niloticus Nile Monitor Bayless 2002 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997

	Snakes (Serpentes)
	= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct Species References  Family Boidae (Typical Boas) Genus Eryx (Sand Boas)   Eryx colubrinus East African Sand Boa Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013  Family Colubridae (Typical Snakes or Colubrids) Genus Crotaphopeltis (Herald Snakes)   Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia Common Herald Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Genus Dasypeltis (African Egg Eaters)   Dasypeltis abyssina Ethiopian Egg Eater Bates & Broadley 2018 Trape, Mediannikov & Trape 2012   * Dasypeltis crucifera Eritrean Egg Eater Bates & Broadley 2018 Genus Dispholidus (Boomslangs)   Dispholidus sp. (Boomslang) David & Ineich 1999 [as D. typus] Largen & Spawls 2010 [as D. typus] Largen 1997 [as D. typus] Genus Eirenis (Middle Eastern Dwarf Snakes)   Eirenis africanus African Dwarf Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Mahlow, Tillack, Schmidtler & Muller 2013 Genus Philothamnus (African Green Snakes)   Philothamnus semivariegatus Variegated Bush Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Loveridge 1957 Genus Platyceps (Flat-headed Whip Snakes)   Platyceps florulentus Egyptian Whip Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Schatti 1988 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013   * Platyceps largeni Dahlak Whip Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Maza, Feldman, Fishelson & Meiri 2015 Schatti 2001   Platyceps rhodorachis Wadi Whip Snake Gasperetti 1988 Lanza 1990 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Perry 2012 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013   Platyceps taylori Somali Whip Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Schatti 1988 Genus Scaphiophis (African Hook-nosed Snakes)   Scaphiophis raffreyi Ethiopian Hook-nosed Snake Broadley 1994 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Genus Telescopus (Afro-Asian Cat Snakes)   Telescopus obtusus Egyptian Cat Snake Crochet, Rasmussen, Wilms, Geniez, Trape & Boehme 2008 Largen & Spawls 2010 [as dhara] Largen 1997 [as dhara] Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 [as dhara] Spawls, Malonza & Beraduccii 2021  Family Elapidae [part 1: terrestrial species] (Cobras, Mambas, etc.) Genus Dendroaspis (Mambas)   Dendroaspis polylepis Black Mamba David & Ineich 1999 Haakansson & Madsen 1983 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Loveridge 1957 Genus Naja (Typical Cobras)   Naja haje Egyptian Cobra Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013   Naja nubiae Nubian Spitting Cobra Largen & Spawls 2010 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014 Wuster & Broadley 2003  Family Lamprophiidae (House Snakes, etc.) Genus Aparallactus (African Centipede Eaters)   Aparallactus lunulatus Reticulated Centipede Eater Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Loveridge 1957 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014 Genus Atractaspis (Stiletto Snakes)   Atractaspis irregularis Variable Stiletto Snake David & Ineich 1999 Golay, Smith, Broadley, Dixon, McCarthy, Rage, Schatti & Toriba 1993 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Laurent 1950 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014   Atractaspis magrettii Mandafena Stiletto Snake David & Ineich 1999 Golay, Smith, Broadley, Dixon, McCarthy, Rage, Schatti & Toriba 1993 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014 Genus Boaedon (Afro-Arabian House Snakes)   Boaedon fuliginosus Common African House Snake Hughes 1997 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Loveridge 1957 Genus Limaformosa (Venus File Snakes)   Limaformosa chanleri Unicolor File Snake Lanza & Broadley 2014 Largen 1997 [as capensis] Genus Lycophidion (African Wolf Snakes)   Lycophidion jacksoni Kilimanjaro Wolf Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 [as L. capense] Largen 1997 [as L. capense] Trape 2021 Genus Malpolon (Montpellier Snakes)   Malpolon moilensis Moila Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Genus Psammophis (Old World Sand Snakes and Grass Snakes)   Psammophis punctulatus Northern Speckled Sand Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013   Psammophis schokari Arabian Sand Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997   Psammophis sibilans Hissing Sand Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997   Psammophis tanganicus Tanganyika Sand Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Loveridge 1957 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Genus Pseudoboodon (Ethiopian Labial-pitted Snakes)   Pseudoboodon gascae Eritrean Labial-pitted Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Tiutenko 2018   Pseudoboodon lemniscatus Striped Labial-pitted Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997  Family Leptotyphlopidae (Thread Snakes) Genus Myriopholis (Many-scaled Thread Snakes)   Myriopholis braccianii Eritrean Mountain Thread Snake Broadley & Wallach 2007 Hahn & Wallach 1998 [as cairi] Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 [as cairi] McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999 [as variabilis] Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 [as cairi]   Myriopholis erythraea Eritrean Lowland Thread Snake Broadley & Wallach 2007 Largen & Spawls 2010   Myriopholis macrorhyncha Large-snouted Thread Snake Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013  Family Pythonidae (Pythons) Genus Python (Typical Pythons)   Python sebae Northern Rock Python Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997  Family Typhlopidae (Typical Blind Snakes) Genus Afrotyphlops (African Giant Blind Snakes)   Afrotyphlops blanfordi Senafe Blind Snake Broadley & Wallach 2009 Largen & Spawls 2010 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014 Genus Letheobia (African Gracile Blind Snakes)   * Letheobia erythraea Eritrean Gracile Blind Snake Broadley & Wallach 2007 Largen & Rasmussen 1993 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999  Family Viperidae (Vipers) Genus Bitis (African Adders)   Bitis arietans Common Puff Adder David & Ineich 1999 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Genus Echis (Carpet Vipers)   * Echis megalocephalus Big-headed Carpet Viper David & Ineich 1999 Largen & Spawls 2010 Pook, Joger, Stumpel & Wuster 2009   Echis pyramidum North East African Carpet Viper David & Ineich 1999 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 [as varius] McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999

	Turtles (Testudines)
	= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct Species References  Family Cheloniidae (Hard-shelled Sea Turtles) Genus Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle)   Caretta caretta Loggerhead Sea Turtle King & Burke 1989 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Genus Chelonia (Green Sea Turtle)   Chelonia mydas Green Sea Turtle King & Burke 1989 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Urban 1970 Genus Eretmochelys (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)   Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Sea Turtle King & Burke 1989 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Genus Lepidochelys (Ridley Sea Turtles)   Lepidochelys olivacea Olive Ridley Sea Turtle King & Burke 1989 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021  Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtle) Genus Dermochelys (Leatherback Sea Turtle)   Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback Sea Turtle King & Burke 1989 Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021  Family Pelomedusidae (African Side-necked Turtles) Genus Pelomedusa (African Helmeted Turtles)   Pelomedusa gehafie Eritrean Helmeted Turtle Petzold, Vargas-Ramirez, Kehlmaier, Vamberger, Branch, Preez, Hofmeyr, Meyer, Schleicher, Siroky & Fritz 2014 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021  Family Testudinidae (Tortoises) Genus Centrochelys (African Spurred Tortoise)   Centrochelys sulcata African Spurred Tortoise Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Petrozzi, Hema, Demaya, Benansio, Eniang, Diagne, Segniagbeto & Luiselli 2020 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Genus Kinixys (Hinge-back Tortoises)   Kinixys belliana Central African Hinge-back Tortoise Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021   Kinixys nogueyi Western Savanna Hinge-back Tortoise Largen & Spawls 2010 [as belliana] Largen 1997 [as belliana] McCord, Joseph-Ouni & Tabaka 2005 [as belliana]  Family Trionychidae (Softshell Turtles) Genus Trionyx (African Softshell Turtle)   Trionyx triunguis African Softshell Turtle Largen & Spawls 2010 Largen 1997 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021