Reptiles
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©Parks Canada/ W. Lynch, 2002: Eastern Hognose Snake |
Quick facts
Background
Status of knowledge of Canadian reptiles
Richness and diversity in Canada
Species Spotlight - Leatherback Seaturtle
Species spotlight - Greater Short-horned Lizard
Results of assessment
Comparison with Wild species 2000
Threats to reptiles
Conclusion
Further information
References
Reptile - Any cold-blooded scaly animal of the class Reptilia including snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, etc. - The Canadian Oxford Dictionary
Quick facts
There are more than 8000 species of reptiles worldwide, of which 47 species have been found in Canada. Of these, four species are found in marine habitats and 43 species are found in freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
Of the 47 species of reptiles found in Canada, only 26% have a Canada General Status Rank (Canada rank) of Secure while a total of 32% are considered At Risk or May Be At Risk.
Compared to Wild species 2000, the Canada rank of 13 reptile species (28%) have been altered, leading to an increase in the percentage of species ranked At Risk (22% in 2000 vs. 28% in 2005) and a reduction in the percentage of species with Canada ranks of Secure (39% in 2000 vs. 26% in 2005). However, changes were primarily due to new COSEWIC assessments (69%) and increased knowledge of the species (8%); none were due to biological changes in species abundance, distribution or threats. Therefore, changes do not represent a worsening situation for reptiles in Canada but simply, a more accurate report on the status of reptiles in Canada, than was available 2000.
Citation for species list
Reptiles
Retrieved [November 4, 2004], from the Global Amphibian Assessment on-line database, http://www.globalamphibians.org.
Retrieved [November 4, 2004], from the Center for North American Herpetology on-line database, http://www.naherpetology.org.
Retrieved [November 4, 2004], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.
