Wildlife Species Library

Identification guides, behavior notes, and camera tips for the wildlife visiting backyard habitats across the EverydayEarth community.

Showing 1-36 of 47 species

Alligator Snapping Turtle
Reptiles

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is North America's largest freshwater turtle, a prehistoric giant that uses a built-in ...

American Alligator
Reptiles

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

The undisputed king of the American wetlands, the American Alligator is a living fossil that has patrolled the swamps...

American Crocodile
Reptiles

American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

The American Crocodile is a prehistoric icon of the Neotropics, a master of both salt and fresh water that rules the ...

Asian House Gecko
Reptiles

Asian House Gecko

Hemidactylus frenatus

The Asian House Gecko is the ultimate backyard acrobat, famous for its 'chuck-chuck' call and its ability to sprint a...

Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko
Reptiles

Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko

Chondrodactylus bibronii

The heavyweight champion of southern African geckos, Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko is a master of camouflage and vertical...

Black Caiman
Reptiles

Black Caiman

Melanosuchus niger

The black caiman is the undisputed king of the Amazonian waters, a prehistoric giant that can grow up to 20 feet long...

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
Reptiles

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura similis

Meet the world's fastest lizard, an armored speedster that thrives in the heat. With its prehistoric spines and light...

Broad-snouted Caiman
Reptiles

Broad-snouted Caiman

Caiman latirostris

The Broad-snouted Caiman is the 'bulldog' of South American wetlands, easily recognized by its uniquely wide jaw and ...

Brown Anole
Reptiles

Brown Anole

Anolis sagrei

The Brown Anole is the charismatic acrobat of the suburban garden, known for its bold displays and lightning-fast ref...

Brown Basilisk
Reptiles

Brown Basilisk

Basiliscus vittatus

Known as the 'Jesus Christ Lizard' for its ability to run on water, the Brown Basilisk is a prehistoric-looking marve...

Carp's Barking Gecko
Reptiles

Carp's Barking Gecko

Ptenopus carpi

The vocal heartbeat of the Namib Desert, Carp's Barking Gecko is a tiny architect of the gravel plains known for its ...

Central African slender-snouted crocodile
Reptiles

Central African slender-snouted crocodile

Mecistops leptorhynchus

A master of the Congo's hidden waterways, the Central African slender-snouted crocodile is a prehistoric relic with a...

Common Barking Gecko
Reptiles

Common Barking Gecko

Ptenopus garrulus

Known as the chorus of the Kalahari, the Common Barking Gecko is more often heard than seen. These pint-sized reptile...

Common Four-clawed Gecko
Reptiles

Common Four-clawed Gecko

Gehyra mutilata

Often called the 'Sugar Gecko' for its pale, sweet appearance, this delicate climber is a master of the night. Watch ...

Common Snapping Turtle
Reptiles

Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Meet the prehistoric survivor of North America's waterways. With its rugged shell and powerful jaws, the Common Snapp...

Congo Dwarf Crocodile
Reptiles

Congo Dwarf Crocodile

Osteolaemus osborni

Meet the world's smallest crocodile, a shy 'living fossil' that prowls the flooded forests of the Congo Basin by night.

Crested Anole
Reptiles

Crested Anole

Anolis cristatellus

Meet the bold, crown-tailed gymnast of the Caribbean. The Crested Anole is a charismatic lizard that brings tropical ...

Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
Reptiles

Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman

Paleosuchus palpebrosus

Meet the world's smallest crocodilian, a heavily armored master of the Amazonian undergrowth. Known for its smooth fo...

Dwarf Crocodile
Reptiles

Dwarf Crocodile

Osteolaemus tetraspis

The Dwarf Crocodile is the world's smallest living crocodilian, a heavily armored 'living fossil' that prowls the dar...

Eastern Mexican Spiny-Tailed Iguana
Reptiles

Eastern Mexican Spiny-Tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura acanthura

With its armored tail and prehistoric silhouette, the Eastern Mexican Spiny-Tailed Iguana is a charismatic relic of t...

False Map Turtle
Reptiles

False Map Turtle

Graptemys pseudogeographica

Master of the river sun-loungers, the False Map Turtle is a master of camouflage with a shell that looks like a hand-...

Green Anole
Reptiles

Green Anole

Anolis carolinensis

Meet the 'American Chameleon,' a color-shifting gymnast that brings a touch of the prehistoric to your garden. Watch ...

Green Basilisk
Reptiles

Green Basilisk

Basiliscus plumifrons

Meet the 'Jesus Christ lizard,' a brilliant emerald reptile famous for its gravity-defying ability to run across wate...

Green Iguana
Reptiles

Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

The Green Iguana is a prehistoric-looking giant that has mastered the art of living in both the wild jungle and the s...

Indo-Pacific House Gecko
Reptiles

Indo-Pacific House Gecko

Hemidactylus garnotii

Meet the Indo-Pacific House Gecko, the 'fox-faced' hunter of the night. This remarkable all-female species has travel...

Indo-Pacific Slender Gecko
Reptiles

Indo-Pacific Slender Gecko

Hemiphyllodactylus typus

A pint-sized pioneer of the reptile world, the Indo-Pacific Slender Gecko is a master of camouflage and a silent guar...

Koch's Chirping Gecko
Reptiles

Koch's Chirping Gecko

Ptenopus kochi

The vocal 'voice of the Namib,' Koch's Chirping Gecko is a desert-dwelling marvel that announces its presence with a ...

Mediterranean House Gecko
Reptiles

Mediterranean House Gecko

Hemidactylus turcicus

A nocturnal acrobat that turns suburban walls into hunting grounds. Meet the Mediterranean House Gecko, the vocal 'Mo...

Moorish Gecko
Reptiles

Moorish Gecko

Tarentola mauritanica

Meet the 'Common Wall Gecko,' a spiny-skinned night hunter that has lived alongside humans for centuries. Famous for ...

Morelet's Crocodile
Reptiles

Morelet's Crocodile

Crocodylus moreletii

Meet the 'Mexican Crocodile,' a broad-snouted master of the Central American wetlands. Known for its shy nature and d...

Mourning Gecko
Reptiles

Mourning Gecko

Lepidodactylus lugubris

Meet the world-traveling, all-female lizard known for its social chirps and chevron stripes. The Mourning Gecko is a ...

Namib Giant Ground Gecko
Reptiles

Namib Giant Ground Gecko

Chondrodactylus angulifer

A master of the desert sands, the Namib Giant Ground Gecko is a robust, nocturnal lizard known for its striking bande...

Namib Sand Gecko
Reptiles

Namib Sand Gecko

Pachydactylus rangei

Meet the 'Ghost of the Dunes,' a translucent marvel that licks the morning fog to survive. With its unique webbed fee...

Nile Crocodile
Reptiles

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

The undisputed king of the African waterways, the Nile Crocodile is a living relic of the dinosaur age. Witness the p...

Northern Map Turtle
Reptiles

Northern Map Turtle

Graptemys geographica

Often called the 'topographic turtle,' this master of the river is draped in a stunning pattern of golden map-like li...

Ouachita Map Turtle
Reptiles

Ouachita Map Turtle

Graptemys ouachitensis

Defined by the intricate 'topographical' lines on its shell and a jagged, saw-like ridge along its spine, the Ouachit...

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