Reptiles of
French mainland  (excl. Corsica)

Related checklists:  France (incl. Corscica)

Bibliography of the reptiles of French mainland Taxonomic history of the reptiles of French mainland 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:
Lizards (Sauria)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Anguidae (Slowworms, etc.)
Genus Anguis (Slowworms)
 
Anguis fragilis

Western European Slowworm

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Dely in Boehme (ed.) 1981 Gvozdik, Benkovsky, Crottini, Bellati, Moravec, Romano, Sacchi & Jandzik 2013 Lescure & Massary 2012
 
Anguis veronensis

Italian Slowworm

Gvozdik, Benkovsky, Crottini, Bellati, Moravec, Romano, Sacchi & Jandzik 2013 Mikulicek, Jablonski, Palenik, Gvozdik & Jandzik 2018 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 [as Anguis sp.]
 Family Gekkonidae (Typical Geckos)
Genus Hemidactylus (Half-toed Geckos)
 
Hemidactylus turcicus

Turkish Half-toed Gecko

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Salvador in Boehme (ed.) 1981
 Family Lacertidae (Typical Lizards)
Genus Iberolacerta (Southern European Rock Lizards)
 
Iberolacerta aranica

Aran Rock Lizard

Aragon-Rebollo, Pierna-Chamorro, Aragon-Rebollo & Hernandez-Estevez 2006 Arribas, Carranza & Odierna 2006 Lescure & Massary 2012 Pottier, Delmas, Duquesne, Garric, Paumier, Sfreddo, Tessier & Vergne 2010 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Iberolacerta aurelioi

Lurida Rock Lizard

Arribas, Carranza & Odierna 2006 Crochet, Rufray, Viglione & Geniez 1996 Lescure & Massary 2012 Pottier, Delmas & Duquesne 2010 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Iberolacerta bonnali

Pyrenean Rock Lizard

Bischoff 1996 Bischoff 2001 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Salvador in Boehme (ed.) 1984 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Lacerta (Eurasian Green Lizards)
 
Lacerta agilis

Northern Eurasian Sand Lizard

Bischoff in Boehme (ed.) 1984 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Pottier, Calvez & Deso 2007
 
Lacerta bilineata

Western Green Lizard

Amann, Rykena, Joger, Nettmann & Veith 1997 Boehme, Fritz, Kotenko, Dzukic, Ljubisavljevic, Tzankov & Berendonk 2007 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 [as viridis bilineata] Lescure & Massary 2012 Marzahn, Mayer, Joger, Ilgaz, Jablonski, Kindler, Kumlutas, Nistri, Schneewiess, Vamberger, Zagar & Fritz 2015 Nettmann & Rykena in Boehme (ed.) 1984 [as L. viridis] Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Podarcis (Wall Lizards)
 
Podarcis liolepis

Catalonian Wall Lizard

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 [as hispanica cebennensis] Geniez & Crochet 2003 Geniez, Deso, Jacob, Thomas & Issartel 2008 Geniez, Sa-Sousa, Guillaume, Cluchier & Crochet 2014 Lescure & Massary 2012 Renoult, Geniez, Bacquet, Guillaume & Crochet 2010 Salvador in Boehme (ed.) 1986 [as P. hispanica] Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Podarcis muralis

Common European Wall Lizard

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Gruschwitz & Boehme in Boehme (ed.) 1986 Lescure & Massary 2012 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Psammodromus (Western Mediterranean Sand Lizards)
 
Psammodromus algirus

Greater Sand Lizard

Bischoff & Bosch 1991 Bischoff 1992 Boehme in Boehme (ed.) 1981 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Psammodromus edwarsianus

Eastern Iberian Sand Lizard

Bischoff 1992 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 [as hispanicus edwarsianus] Fitze, Gonzalez-Jimena, San-Jose, Mauro & Zardoya 2012 Lescure & Massary 2012 Salvador in Boehme (ed.) 1981 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Timon (Ocellated Lizards)
 
Timon lepidus

Northern Ocellated Lizard

Bischoff 1996 Bischoff, Cheylan & Boehme in Boehme (ed.) 1984 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Zootoca (Eurasian Forest Lizards)
 
Zootoca vivipara

Viviparous Lizard

Arribas 2009 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Dely & Boehme in Boehme (ed.) 1984 Lescure & Massary 2012 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016 Surget-Groba, Heulin, Guillaume, Thorpe, Kupriyanova, Vogrin, Maslak, Mazzotti, Venczel, Ghira, Odierna, Leontyeva, Monney & Smith 2001
 Family Phyllodactylidae (Leaf-toed Geckos)
Genus Tarentola (Wall Geckos)
 
Tarentola mauritanica

Moorish Wall Gecko

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 Family Scincidae (Skinks)
Genus Chalcides (Cylindrical Skinks)
 
Chalcides striatus

Western Three-toed Cylindrical Skink

Busack 1986 [as C. chalcides] Caputo & Odierna 1992 Carranza, Arnold, Geniez, Roca & Mateo 2008 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 [as C. chalcides] Lescure & Massary 2012 Orsini & Cheylan in Boehme (ed.) 1981 [as C. chalcides] Pottier 2005 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 Family Sphaerodactylidae (Least Geckos, etc.)
Genus Euleptes (Mediterranean Leaf-toed Gecko)
 
Euleptes europaea

Mediterranean Leaf-toed Gecko

Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Delaugerre, Ouni & Nouira 2011 Lescure & Massary 2012 Rieppel & Schneider 1981 Rieppel & Schneider in Boehme (ed.) 1981 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016

Snakes (Serpentes)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Colubridae (Typical Snakes or Colubrids)
Genus Coronella (Palearctic Smooth Snakes)
 
Coronella austriaca

Northern Smooth Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Engelmann in Boehme (ed.) 1993 Jablonski, Nagy, Avci, Olgun, Kukushkin, Safaei-Mahroo & Jandzik 2019 Lescure & Massary 2012
 
Coronella girondica

Southern Smooth Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Dusej in Boehme (ed.) 1993 Lescure & Massary 2012 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Hierophis (Eurasian Whip Snakes)
 
Hierophis viridiflavus

Western Whip Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Heimes in Boehme (ed.) 1993 Lescure & Massary 2012 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Natrix (Eurasian Keelbacks)
 
Natrix astreptophora

Iberian Grass Snake

Geniez & Crochet 2003 Kindler, Boehme, Corti, Gvozdik, Jablonski, Jandzik, Metallinou, Siroky & Fritz 2013 Lescure & Massary 2012 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Natrix helvetica

Barred Grass Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Kabisch in Boehme (ed.) 1999 [as natrix] Kindler, Boehme, Corti, Gvozdik, Jablonski, Jandzik, Metallinou, Siroky & Fritz 2013 Lescure & Massary 2012
 
Natrix maura

Viperine Grass Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Schatti in Boehme (ed.) 1999 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
Genus Zamenis (Western Palearctic Rat Snakes)
 
Zamenis longissimus

Common Aesculapian Snake

Boehme in Boehme (ed.) 1993 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Nilson & Andren 1984 Schulz 1996 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Zamenis scalaris

Ladder Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Cheylan & Guillaume in Boehme (ed.) 1993 Lescure & Massary 2012 Schulz 1996 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 Family Lamprophiidae (House Snakes, etc.)
Genus Malpolon (Montpellier Snakes)
 
Malpolon monspessulanus

Western Montpellier Snake

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 Family Viperidae (Vipers)
Genus Vipera (Typical Vipers or Adders)
 
Vipera aspis

Asp Viper

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 David & Vogel 2010 Gruber 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016 Trutnau, Boehme & Joger in Joger & Stumpel 2005
 
Vipera berus

Northern Eurasian Viper

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 David & Vogel 2010 Gruber 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 Nilson, Andren & Voelkl in Joger & Stumpel 2005
 
Vipera seoanei

Northern Iberian Viper

Aragon-Rebollo, Pierna-Chamorro, Aragon-Rebollo & Hernandez-Estevez 2006 Brito & Saint-Girons 2005 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 David & Ineich 1999 David & Vogel 2010 Duguy 1975 Gruber 1989 Lescure & Massary 2012 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 
Vipera ursinii

Meadow and Karst Vipers

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 David & Ineich 1999 David & Vogel 2010 Dely & Joger in Joger & Stumpel 2005 Gruber 1989 Gvozdik, Jandzik, Cordos, Rehak & Kotlik 2012 Lescure & Massary 2012 Nilson & Andren 2001 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016

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

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Gramentz in Fritz (ed.) 2005 Lescure & Massary 2012 Moriniere & dell'Amico 2011 Oliver 2011
Genus Chelonia (Green Sea Turtle)
 
Chelonia mydas

Green Sea Turtle

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Gramentz & Fritz in Fritz (ed.) 2005 Lescure & Massary 2012 Moriniere & dell'Amico 2011 Oliver 2011
Genus Eretmochelys (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)
 
Eretmochelys imbricata

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Gramentz in Fritz (ed.) 2005 Lescure & Massary 2012
Genus Lepidochelys (Ridley Sea Turtles)
 
Lepidochelys kempii

Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Gramentz & Fritz in Fritz (ed.) 2005 Lescure & Massary 2012 Moriniere & dell'Amico 2011 Oliver & Pigno 2005 Oliver 2011
 Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
Genus Dermochelys (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
 
Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Brongersma in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Frazier, Gramentz & Fritz in Fritz (ed.) 2005 Lescure & Massary 2012 Moriniere & dell'Amico 2011 Oliver 2011
 Family Emydidae (Western Pond Turtles)
Genus Emys (European Pond Turtles)
 
Emys orbicularis

Common European Pond Turtle

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Fritz in Fritz (ed.) 2001 Lescure & Massary 2012 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016
 Family Geoemydidae (Eastern Pond Turtles)
Genus Mauremys (Stripe-necked Turtles)
 
Mauremys leprosa

Western Mediterranean Pond Turtle

Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Fritz & Havas 2006 Keller & Busack in Fritz (ed.) 2001 Lescure & Massary 2012 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008
 Family Testudinidae (Tortoises)
Genus Testudo (Palearctic Tortoises)
 
Testudo hermanni

Greek Tortoise

Bertolero, Cheylan, Hailey, Livoreil & Willemsen 2011 Castanet & Guyetant 1989 Cheylan in Fritz (ed.) 2001 Fritz & Havas 2006 Lescure & Massary 2012 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Speybroeck, Beukema, Bok & Voort 2016