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Amazon Reptile Diversity:

The world's tropical regions are home to the vast majority of reptiles. Comparative areas of the Asian tropics may have a higher diversity of reptiles than the Amazon, nevertheless, over 100 species of co-existing reptiles can be found in many areas of the Amazon, and additional species are described regularly. Amazon reptiles are very diverse in some taxa, and rather depauperate in others. Typical snakes (Family Colubridae) and lizards are particularly well represented, whereas turtles, tortoises, and venomous snakes are poorly represented when compared to many other humid tropical areas. Many Amazon species are very poorly known or known from one or a few specimens. This is not necessarily an indication of rareness. Many parts of the Amazon are still unexplored herpetologically, and cryptic, arboreal and fossorial (burrowing) species of herps may be easily overlooked.

Reptile Natural History:

Amazon reptiles are active year around, with no need to hibernate during a cold season. Most reptiles are carnivorous, and the black caiman - which can reach 7 m (~21'), and anacondas (to 8 m; ~25') are among the largest of Amazon predators. A few lizards like the green iguana, and some turtles and tortoises are primarily herbivorous, however. Within the Amazon, reptiles can be found in all available habitats, from small creeks to the forest canopy, urban areas to the largest rivers and burrowing in the soil. They are undoubtedly important in the control of many insect species, as well as important predators on many amphibians, birds, fish, and mammals.

Conservation and Uses of Reptiles:

Some Amazon reptiles are in great demand for food or for the pet trade. Species like spectacled and black caimans, as well as all of the river turtles and terrestrial tortoises are regularly hunted and eaten, and turtle eggs are more valuable than chicken eggs. Properly managed, populations of caimans and turtles can withstand some hunting pressure, but in most areas, they are declining rapidly, as there are no effective controls on over harvesting. Contrary to many other areas in the tropics, other reptiles in the Peruvian Amazon are not hunted for food - local people do not eat iguanas (considered a delicacy in Central America), nor do they eat snakes (considered a delicacy in parts of Asia and Texas). Most local people do differentiate between poisonous snakes (which are killed when encountered) and non-venomous snakes which are generally left alone. The exceptions are some of the larger species like boas and anacondas, which may be killed as potential threats to life and livestock, or to sell the skins; or inoffensive species which may mimic poisonous ones. Fishermen also kill anacondas which become entangled in fish nets when they attempt to steal fish. Another threat for some reptile species is collection for the pet trade. In Peru and Brazil, it is very difficult to obtain permits to export reptiles legally, but high demand species may be smuggled out, or exported from neighboring countries. Such species are generally very rare, and thus command the highest prices.

reptiles at p.a.

Over 100 species of lizards, snakes, turtles and crocodilians have been recorded at the Project Amazonas field sites. An annotated list of reptiles & amphibians can be downloaded from the Document Center. Some commonly encountered reptiles include: