This is a list of the reptile species recorded on Christmas Island. At the time of human settlement in the late 19th century, the island had five native species of lizard and one native snake. However, additional species were introduced during the 20th century, resulting in dramatic declines in the island's native reptile populations.

Lizards

Christmas Island had five native lizard species at the time of human settlement, although the Christmas Island forest skink (Emoia nativitatis) is now considered extinct, and the blue-tailed skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) and Lister's gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri) are extinct in the wild. Three additional species were introduced during the 20th century. +Common nameScientific nameNotesRed ListRefChristmas Island blue-tailed shining-skinkCryptoblepharus egeriaeendemicChristmas Island forest skinkEmoia nativitatisendemic, last known individual died 31 May 2014Lister's geckoLepidodactylus listeriendemicSadleir's bow-fingered geckoCyrtodactylus sadleiriendemicCoastal skinkEmoia atrocostatanativeHouse geckoHemidactylus frenatusintroduced by 1940Stump-tailed geckoGehyra mutilataintroduced after the mid-1940sGrass skinkLygosoma bowringiiintroduced; first recorded around 1979

Snakes Christmas Island has one endemic snake species, the Christmas Island blind snake (Ramphotyphlops exocoeti). The flowerpot blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) had been introduced to the island by 1940, and the Oriental wolf snake (Lycodon capucinus) was introduced in the 1980s. +Common nameScientific nameNotesRed ListRefChristmas Island blind snakeRamphotyphlops exocoetiendemicOriental wolf snakeLycodon capucinusintroduced; first recorded around 1987Flowerpot blind snakeRamphotyphlops braminusintroduced by 1940

Turtles

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and, more rarely, hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) have been documented to nest on Christmas Island. Sea turtle nesting occurs on Dolly Beach, on a small area of sand above the high tide level, and occasionally at Greta Beach. +Common nameScientific nameNotesRed ListRefGreen turtleChelonia mydasnests on Christmas Island; considered uncommonHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricatanests on Christmas Island; rarely documentedLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettamay forage in waters off Christmas IslandLeatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceamay forage in waters off Christmas Island

See also

List of birds of Christmas Island List of mammals of Christmas Island

References