List of reptiles of Ireland
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Lacerta_vivipara_1_%28Marek_Szczepanek%29.jpg/220px-Lacerta_vivipara_1_%28Marek_Szczepanek%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Hawksbill_Turtle.jpg/220px-Hawksbill_Turtle.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Caretta_caretta_060417w2.jpg/220px-Caretta_caretta_060417w2.jpg)
There is only one known land reptile species native to Ireland, the viviparous or common lizard. It appears to have a widespread distribution across the entire island with coastal, bogland and mountainous areas showing highest numbers of sightings.
Five marine turtle species appear regularly off the west coast but do not come ashore. All are endangered, some critically.[1] The pond turtle is introduced.
EX | Extinct | No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. |
EW | Extinct in the wild | Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range. |
CR | Critically endangered | The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild. |
EN | Endangered | The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. |
VU | Vulnerable | The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. |
NT | Near threatened | The species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorise it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so in the future. |
LC | Least concern | There are no current identifiable risks to the species. |
DD | Data deficient | There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species. |
Subclass: Diapsida
[edit]Infraclass: Lepidosauromorpha
[edit]Superorder: Lepidosauria
[edit]- Suborder: Lacertilia (lizards)
- Family: Lacertidae
- Subfamily: Lacertinae
- Genus: Zootoca
- Viviparous lizard, Zootoca vivipara LC
- Genus: Zootoca
- Subfamily: Lacertinae
- Family: Anguidae
- Subfamily: Anguinae
- Genus: Anguis
- Slowworm, Anguis fragilis NE (believed to be a more recent introduction, with confirmed sightings only in The Burren[2])
- Genus: Anguis
- Subfamily: Anguinae
- Family: Lacertidae
- Suborder: Cryptodira
- Superfamily: Chelonioidea (sea turtles)
- Family: Dermochelyidae
- Genus: Dermochelys
- Leatherback sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea LC
- Genus: Dermochelys
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Genus: Chelonia
- Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas EN
- Genus: Eretmochelys
- Hawksbill sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata CR
- Genus: Lepidochelys
- Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempii CR Vagrant
- Genus: Caretta
- Loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta VU
- Genus: Chelonia
- Family: Dermochelyidae
- Superfamily: Testudinoidea (pond turtles)
- Family: Emydidae
- Genus: Trachemys
- Pond slider, Trachemys scripta LC Introduced [3]
- Genus: Trachemys
- Family: Emydidae
- Superfamily: Chelonioidea (sea turtles)
References
[edit]- ^ "Understanding leatherback turtles in the Irish Sea".
- ^ Lizard Survey 2009 - Irish Wildlife Trust
- ^ McGabhan, D. and Quigley, D.T.G. Minchin, D. 2013 First record of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta scripta from the Shannon. Irish Naturalists' Journal 32: 75
- King, G.L. and Berrow, S.D. (2009) Marine turtles in Irish waters. Special Supplement to the Irish Naturalists' Journal (30 pages)