RAREST Reptiles on the Planet
From ivory white alligators … to tiny turtles and lizards ... here are 16 of the rarest reptiles on the planet
Subscribe to Epic Wildlife http://goo.gl/6rzs5u
Let's Connect
-- http://www.epicadamwildlife.com/
-- / epicadamwildlife
-- / epicwildlife
-- http://gplus.to/epicwildlife
#7 Spaghetti Snake
As you might expect the Barbados Threadsnake is found in the Caribbean islands. Because it’s about as thick as a noodle of spaghetti, some people refer to it as the “Spaghetti Snake”. It reaches a length of around 4 inches (10 cm), making it the world’s smallest known snake species as adults. Experts say that these small snakes produce one huge egg every year (huge being relative to the size of the mother), and the newly hatched offspring tend to be about half of her length. Experts say that only a small number of specimens have been identified.
#6 Guatemalan Beaded Lizard
This beast is also known as the Mexican Beaded Lizard, so its two names should give you an idea of where they can be found. It’s a close relation to the better-known Gila (hee-lah) Monster, but is about fifty percent larger at 36 inches (91 cm) long and weighing about 2 pounds (800 g). Some specimen have weighed nearly 9 pounds (4,000 g). The Beaded Lizard is venomous, and its toxin can induce symptoms that include respiratory failure, internal hemorrhage, and excruciating pain. Unlike snakes, this animal and the Gila Monster don’t have fangs to deliver their venom. Instead, the toxin is imparted when they’re chewing on the victim.
We’ve noted a lot of similarities between the Beaded Lizard and its relative. But here’s a big difference: There seem to be a lot of Gila Monsters out there. But experts say that among Beaded Lizards less than 200 individuals are estimated to exist in the wild.
#5 Brookesia Micra
From Nosy Hara in Madagascar, Brookesia micra is the smallest species of chameleon, and is among the smallest of reptiles overall. With a length of 1.1 inches (29 mm) it’s so minute that it can perch atop the tip of a match head. Experts say its miniscule size is due to insular dwarfism. That’s a condition that reduces the size of large animals over several generations. But the forests of Madagascar may not be a safe haven for this chameleon much longer. That’s because illegal logging operations threaten the animal with extinction.
#4 Speckled Padloper Tortoise
We typically think of tortoises as huge and lumbering beasts. But these small reptiles are in fact tortoises. But they only grow to around 4 inches (10 cm) and weigh about 6 ounces (165 g). They’re native, to arid climates of South Africa, where they forage for leafy plants among rocky outcroppings. Because of their uniqueness, these animals have attracted the attention of poachers who collect them for the pet trade.
#3 Jamaican Rock Iguana
At one time these lizards could be found throughout Jamaica and are endemic to the country. Measuring some 17 inches long (43 cm), they’re the largest native terrestrial animal found there. But these days the reptiles are confined to forested areas, and are described as critically endangered. Several times in the past they were thought to have gone extinct. There are a couple of factors working against the animals. Local industries have consumed the hardwood trees of the iguana’s forests. And when the Asian mongoose was brought in to help Jamaica control their snake population, the invasive species started to hunt hatchling iguanas as a food source. Many experts consider these animals to be the rarest lizards in the world. At last count less than 50 were estimated to exist in the wild.
#2 The White Fog
There aren’t many alligators that can claim to have an ivory complexion with piercing blue eyes. An exception is a critter named Bouya Blan (boy-yuh blan), which means ‘white fog’. He’s a male gator that weighs in at some 500 pounds (227 kg) and is part of a reptile display at Florida’s Gatorland Theme Park. While he’s sometimes described as an albino alligator, that’s not accurate. The White Fog actually is actually leucistic (loo-kis-tik). The condition causes a partial loss of pigmentation which results in the pale skin. Albinos lack melanin, the dark pigmentation, and that gives them the characteristic pink eyes. This critter is one of several giant reptiles on display at the theme park. But aside from his rare genetic condition, the animal is like any other alligator. Experts say it’s just as well that he thrives in captivity. Leucistic beasts usually don’t survive long in the wild. They have no natural camouflage, which makes it difficult for them to hunt prey.
1...