Reptiles of
Kuwait 

 

Bibliography of the reptiles of Kuwait Taxonomic history of the reptiles of Kuwait 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:
Worm Lizards (Amphisbaenia)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Trogonophidae (Short-headed Worm Lizards)
Genus Diplometopon (Arabian Speckled Worm Lizard)
 
Diplometopon zarudnyi

Arabian Speckled Worm Lizard

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1986 Gans 1967 Gans 2005 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992

Lizards (Sauria)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Agamidae (Agamas and Dragons)
Genus Phrynocephalus (Toad-headed Agamas)
 
Phrynocephalus ahvazicus

Ahvaz Toad-headed Agama

Al-Sirhan & Brown 2010 [as arabicus] Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 [as arabicus]
 
Phrynocephalus longicaudatus

Long-tailed Toad-headed Agama

Alsdirawi 1989 [as maculatus] Al-Sirhan & Brown 2010 [as maculatus] Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 [as maculatus]
Genus Trapelus (Afro-Asian Ground Agamas)
 
Trapelus agnetae

North Arabian Plain Agama

Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1986 [as Agama pallida haasi] Bar & Haimovitch 2011 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 [as pallidus haasi] Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008
 
Trapelus persicus

Persian Ground Agama

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1986 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 Rastegar-Pouyani 1998 Rastegar-Pouyani 2000 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008 [as ruderatus]
Genus Uromastyx (Western Spiny-tailed Agamas)
 
Uromastyx aegyptia

Egyptian Spiny-tailed Agama

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Anderson 1999 Wilms & Boehme 2000 Wilms & Boehme 2007 Wilms, Boehme, Wagner, Lutzmann & Schmitz 2009
 Family Gekkonidae (Typical Geckos)
Genus Bunopus (South West Asian Tuberculated Geckos)
 
Bunopus tuberculatus

Southern Tuberculated Gecko

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992
Genus Cyrtopodion (Palearctic Bent-toed Geckos)
 
Cyrtopodion scabrum

Keeled Rock Gecko

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
Genus Hemidactylus (Half-toed Geckos)
 
Hemidactylus flaviviridis

Yellow-bellied House Gecko

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
 
Hemidactylus persicus

Persian Half-toed Gecko

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold & Gallagher 1977
Genus Pseudoceramodactylus (Gulf Sand Gecko)
 
Pseudoceramodactylus khobarensis

Gulf Sand Gecko

Al-Sirhan 2009 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
Genus Stenodactylus (Afro-Asian Thin-toed Geckos)
 
Stenodactylus affinis

Persian Thin-toed Gecko

Al-Sirhan 2009 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
 
Stenodactylus doriae

Middle Eastern Thin-toed Gecko

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1980
 
Stenodactylus slevini

Dharan Thin-toed Gecko

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1980 Arnold 1986 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992
Genus Trigonodactylus (Triangle-scaled Geckos)
 
Trigonodactylus arabicus

Arabian Triangle-scaled Gecko

Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Delima & Al-Nasser 2007 Metallinou & Carranza 2013
 Family Lacertidae (Typical Lizards)
Genus Acanthodactylus (Fringe-toed Lizards)
 
Acanthodactylus boskianus

Afro-Arabian Fringe-toed Lizard

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
 
Acanthodactylus hardyi

Hirmas Fringe-toed Lizard

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1986 Crochet, Geniez & Ineich 2003 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 Salvador 1982
 
Acanthodactylus opheodurus

Snake-tailed Fringe-toed Lizard

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Salvador 1982
 
Acanthodactylus schmidti

Middle East Fringe-toed Lizard

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
Genus Mesalina (Afro-Asian Desert Lizards)
 
Mesalina bernoullii

Syrian Desert Lizard

Alsdirawi 1989 [as brevirostris] Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 [as brevirostris] Arnold 1986 [as brevirostris] Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 [as brevirostris] Smid, Moravec, Gvozdik, Stundl, Frynta, Lymberakis, Kapli, Wilms, Schmitz, Shobrak, Yousefkhani, Rastegar-Pouyani, Castilla, Els & Mayer 2017
 
Mesalina guttulata

Common Small-spotted Desert Lizard

Al-Sirhan 2008 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
 Family Scincidae (Skinks)
Genus Ablepharus (Eurasian Snake-eyed Skinks)
 
Ablepharus pannonicus

Southwest Asian Snake-eyed Skink

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold 1986 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992
Genus Chalcides (Cylindrical Skinks)
 
Chalcides ocellatus

Mediterranean Ocellated Skink

Al-Sadoon 1988 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Eissa & El-Assy 1975
Genus Scincus (Sand Fish)
 
Scincus conirostris

Persian Sand Fish

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold & Leviton 1977 Arnold 1986 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992
 
Scincus mitranus

Eastern Arabian Sand Fish

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Arnold & Leviton 1977 Arnold 1986 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 Sindaco & Jeremchenko 2008
 Family Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)
Genus Varanus (Monitor Lizards)
 
Varanus griseus

Desert Monitor

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Boehme, Ehrlich, Milto, Orlov & Scholz 2015

Snakes (Serpentes)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Boidae (Typical Boas)
Genus Eryx (Sand Boas)
 
Eryx jayakari

Arabian Sand Boa

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988 Geniez 2018 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 Stimson 1969
 Family Colubridae (Typical Snakes or Colubrids)
Genus Dolichophis (Greater Whip Snakes)
 
Dolichophis jugularis

Large Whip Snake

Al-Mohanna, Jaman & Meakins 1997 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Sindaco, Venchi & Grieco 2013 Venchi & Sindaco 2007
Genus Lytorhynchus (Awl-headed Snakes)
 
Lytorhynchus gaddi

Iranian Awl-headed Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
Genus Platyceps (Flat-headed Whip Snakes)
 
Platyceps karelini

Spotted Desert Whip Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 [as ventromaculatus] Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 [as P. ventromaculatus] Gasperetti 1988 [as ventromaculatus] Geniez 2018 [as chesneii] Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 [as ventromaculatus] Schatti 2006 [as "cf. ventromaculatus"] Schatti, Kucharzewski, Masroor & Rastegar-Pouyani 2012
Genus Spalerosophis (Diadem Snakes)
 
Spalerosophis diadema

Common Diadem Snake

Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988 Geniez 2018
 Family Elapidae [part 1: terrestrial species] (Cobras, Mambas, etc.)
Genus Walterinnesia (Black Desert Cobras)
 
Walterinnesia morgani

Eastern Black Desert Cobra

Alsdirawi 1989 [as W. aegyptia] Geniez 2018 Golay, Smith, Broadley, Dixon, McCarthy, Rage, Schatti & Toriba 1993 [as W. aegyptia] Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 [as W. aegyptia]
 Family Elapidae [part 2: marine species] (Sea Snakes)
Genus Hydrophis (Typical Sea Snakes)
 
Hydrophis cyanocinctus

Blue-banded Sea Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988 Geniez 2018
 
Hydrophis lapemoides

Persian Gulf Sea Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
 
Hydrophis platurus

Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988
 
Hydrophis viperinus

Viperine Sea Snake

Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021
 Family Lamprophiidae (House Snakes, etc.)
Genus Malpolon (Montpellier Snakes)
 
Malpolon moilensis

Moila Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988 Geniez 2018
Genus Psammophis (Old World Sand Snakes and Grass Snakes)
 
Psammophis schokari

Arabian Sand Snake

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988 Geniez 2018 Marx 1988
 Family Viperidae (Vipers)
Genus Cerastes (Horned Vipers)
 
Cerastes gasperettii

Middle Eastern Horned Viper

Alsdirawi 1989 [as cerastes] Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Gasperetti 1988 Geniez 2018 Leviton, Anderson, Adler & Minton 1992 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999 Werner & Sivan 1992 Werner, Verdier, Rosenman & Sivan 1991
Genus Echis (Carpet Vipers)

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

Al-Mohanna & George 2010 Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021
Genus Chelonia (Green Sea Turtle)
 
Chelonia mydas

Green Sea Turtle

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 King & Burke 1989 Rees, Al Hafez, Lloyd, Papathanasopoulou & Godley 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Ross & Barwani in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982
Genus Eretmochelys (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)
 
Eretmochelys imbricata

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Alsdirawi 1989 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 King & Burke 1989 Papathanasopoulou 2010 Rees, Al Hafez & Papathanasopoulou 2013 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021
Genus Lepidochelys (Ridley Sea Turtles)
 
Lepidochelys olivacea

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Bishop, Deshti & Al-Ayoub 2007 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Tollab, Dakhteh, Zaferani, Hesni, Ahmadi, Langari, Alavian & Rezaie-Atagholipour 2015
 Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
Genus Dermochelys (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
 
Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Al-Mohanna & Meakins 2000 Amr, Alenezi, Al-Sayegh & Baker 2021 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021