Reptiles of Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia’s islands, coasts and rainforests are home to a wide variety of reptiles that play key roles in local ecosystems. From mangroves to coral reefs and inland rivers, species adapt to very different niches across the region, so spotting one place can reveal many different lifestyles.

There are 39 Reptiles of Southeast Asia, ranging from the Annulated sea snake to the Yellow-lipped sea krait, illustrating how species span open ocean to coastal and inland habitats. For each species you’ll find below data organized as Scientific name, Range (countries/region), IUCN status to help with quick comparison and conservation context — you’ll find below.

Which habitats in Southeast Asia support the most reptile diversity?

Reptile diversity peaks where habitat complexity and climate meet: lowland rainforests, mangrove estuaries, limestone karsts and freshwater wetlands. Coastal reefs and island chains add unique marine and insular species. Protecting a mix of these habitats preserves the full range of reptile life across countries.

How concerned should I be about venomous sea snakes like those listed here?

Many sea snakes are venomous but encounters are uncommon; most bites occur when animals are handled or accidentally caught in fishing gear. Treat them with caution, avoid handling, and report sightings to local authorities or researchers if you can safely share location and photos.

Reptiles of Southeast Asia

Images and Descriptions

Saltwater crocodile

Largest living crocodile, salt-tolerant and powerful. Found in coastal mangroves, estuaries and rivers; ambush predator feeding on fish, mammals and birds. Important apex predator; some populations heavily hunted and locally monitored for human-wildlife conflict.

Siamese crocodile

Freshwater specialist found in rivers and floodplain wetlands. Relatively small crocodile with broad snout; historically widespread but now fragmented by habitat loss and hunting. Conservation programs include captive breeding and reintroduction in Cambodia.

Komodo dragon

World’s largest lizard, heavy-bodied with rough scales and powerful tail. Terrestrial predator and scavenger in open savanna and forest edges; feeds on deer and pigs. Iconic island endemic protected in national parks but vulnerable due to limited range.

Water monitor

Large, adaptable monitor lizard frequenting rivers, mangroves and urban waterways. Dark body with yellow spots and powerful build; opportunistic diet includes fish, carrion, and small mammals. Common but locally persecuted.

Reticulated python

Strikingly patterned, long constrictor often found in forests, plantations and near human settlements. Excellent swimmers that may prey on mammals and birds. Largest individuals can exceed several meters; frequently encountered in rural landscapes.

Burmese python

Heavy-bodied constrictor inhabiting grassland, forest and wetlands. Brown and tan patterned skin; ambushes prey including mammals and birds. Widely collected and hunted for skin and pet trade; wild populations declining in parts of range.

Blood python

Stout, relatively short python with rich reddish-brown bands; favors peat swamp, forest and marsh edges. Known for vivid coloration and docile temperament in captivity; threatened by habitat loss and overcollection for trade.

King cobra

World’s longest venomous snake, long-necked with hood and olive to brown coloration. Forest specialist that eats other snakes; iconic and feared species. Habitat loss and persecution threaten populations across its range.

Monocled cobra

Medium-sized cobra with distinct circular neck pattern. Occupies farmland, wetlands and forests; venomous and medically important. Adapts to disturbed habitats but faces persecution and capture for traditional use.

Equatorial spitting cobra

Spitting cobra that defends itself by ejecting venom into attackers’ eyes. Variably patterned brown to black, lives in forests and agricultural areas. Common locally though occasionally killed by people and collected for trade.

Paradise tree snake

Small arboreal snake famous for gliding between trees; brightly patterned with iridescent sheen. Day-active predator feeding on lizards and birds. Often seen in gardens and lowland forests; nonvenomous to humans.

Oriental whip snake

Slender, bright green arboreal snake with pointed snout and excellent camouflage. Often hangs along branches hunting frogs and lizards. Mildly venomous to prey but typically harmless to people.

Wagler’s pit viper

Stocky, arboreal pit viper with sexually dimorphic patterns; found in lowland forests and plantations. Venomous ambush predator feeding on small mammals, birds and frogs. Common in disturbed habitats near humans in parts of its range.

White-lipped pit viper

Slender green pit viper with distinctive pale upper lip stripe. Inhabits lowland and hilly forests; often nocturnal ambush predator on branches. Bitten victims may suffer significant envenomation; habitat loss is a concern.

Two-striped coral snake

Small, vividly colored coral snake with striking red and black patterning and exceptionally potent neurotoxic venom. Secretive forest floor dweller feeding on other snakes. Habitat destruction and collection for trade contribute to declines.

Banded krait

Distinctive black-and-yellow banded snake often found near water and human habitations. Nocturnal and highly venomous; preys on other snakes and rodents. Generally shy, but medically important where common.

Yellow-lipped sea krait

Amphibious sea krait with broad flattened tail and distinct yellow head banding. Hunts eels in coral reefs and returns to land to rest and lay eggs. Harmless if left alone but highly venomous.

Annulated sea snake

Common sea snake with ringed black-and-white pattern, strongly adapted to marine life. Feeds on small fish in coral and sandy habitats. Vocal conservation interest due to fisheries bycatch and pollution impacts.

Olive ridley sea turtle

Small, social sea turtle that nests in large arribada gatherings in some areas. Olive-green carapace and streamlined body; feeds on jellyfish and invertebrates. Threatened by egg harvesting, bycatch and coastal development.

Green sea turtle

Large, herbivorous sea turtle with smooth, olive-colored shell. Feeds on seagrass and algae; important for healthy seagrass beds. Faces poaching, bycatch and habitat loss at nesting beaches and feeding grounds.

Hawksbill sea turtle

Small to medium sea turtle with striking patterned shell and hooked beak; specializes on sponges in coral reefs. Highly valued for “tortoiseshell,” now critically reduced by trade, habitat loss and bycatch.

Leatherback sea turtle

Largest sea turtle with leathery shell and deep dives to feed on jellyfish. Wide-ranging migratory species that visits Southeast Asian waters; threatened by bycatch, plastic ingestion, and coastal threats at nesting sites.

Asian giant softshell

Very large freshwater softshell turtle with flattened leathery carapace and broad head. Prefers large rivers and estuaries; highly elusive and heavily reduced by hunting and habitat degradation.

Asiatic softshell turtle

Broad-headed softshell turtle common in rivers and swamps; smooth leathery shell and rapid swimming. Frequently exploited for food and pet trade; adaptable but declining where collection is intense.

Elongated tortoise

Medium-sized land tortoise with elongated high shell and muted brown coloration. Inhabits dry forests and secondary growth; slow reproduction and heavy collection for food and pet markets have caused severe declines.

Malayan box turtle

Medium aquatic box turtle with hinged plastron for defense, domed shell and variable coloration. Lives in wetlands and slow rivers; widely collected for food and pet trade, facing population decreases across much of range.

Black marsh turtle

Small dark freshwater turtle with thick neck and blunt face inhabiting swamps and slow rivers. Shy and secretive but heavily collected for food and pet trade; protected in parts of its range.

Giant Asian pond turtle

Large freshwater turtle with domed carapace often found in marshes, oxbows and slow rivers. Omnivorous diet and slow reproduction; targeted by hunters and impacted by wetland loss across mainland Southeast Asia.

Asian leaf turtle

Small-to-medium freshwater turtle with leaf-like outline and brown mottled shell. Prefers forest streams and swampy areas. Subject to capture for local consumption and pet trade; habitat degradation also a concern.

Tokay gecko

Large, vocal gecko with bold spots and sticky toe pads, often living in buildings and forests. Nocturnal insectivore used in traditional medicine and the pet trade but still commonly encountered in its range.

Common flying dragon

Small arboreal agamid with extendable gliding membranes between ribs; basks on trees and feeds on insects. Impressive glider allowing short-distance travel between trees in forest canopy and secondary growth areas.

Oriental garden lizard

Common agamid with ability to change color during displays; seen on trees and walls in gardens and disturbed habitats. Omnivorous diet and tolerant of human-modified areas; often mistaken for venomous species.

Green crested lizard

Slender, bright green arboreal lizard with long tail and crest in males. Often active in daylight on tree trunks and shrubs, feeding on insects and small vertebrates. Readily visible in lowland forests and gardens.

Common sun skink

Robust skink with smooth scales and streamlined body, often seen basking on logs and rocks. Opportunistic feeder of insects and small invertebrates; adapts well to disturbed habitats and gardens.

Philippine sailfin lizard

Impressive large agamid with sail-like crest on tail, semi-aquatic and often found near rivers and mangroves. Herbivorous and omnivorous tendencies; threatened by habitat loss and collection for pets and food.

False gharial

Long, narrow-snouted crocodilian adapted to freshwater rivers and peat swamps. Feeds mainly on fish; shy and rare due to hunting and habitat destruction. Conservation focuses on habitat protection and captive breeding.

Asian vine snake

Thin, elongated green snake often mistaken for leaves or vines; diurnal tree-dweller hunting lizards and frogs. Mildly venomous to prey, harmless to most humans; well-camouflaged in foliage and gardens.

Common wolf snake

Small nocturnal colubrid with slender body and banded pattern; often found near human settlements preying on geckos and small rodents. Frequently mistaken for venomous species but non-aggressive and non-lethal to humans.

Banded krait

Distinctive black-and-yellow banded elapid found near water and agricultural land. Nocturnal and highly venomous; generally slow-moving and shy, but medically significant where humans overlap with habitat.

Reptiles in Other Regions