16 Reptiles that Are Herbivores (A to Z List with Pictures)

Reptiles that are herbivores include Aquatic Turtle, Argentina Tortoise, Chuckwalla, Desert Iguana, and Desert Tortoise.

There are a surprising number of reptiles that are herbivores. In fact, many people don’t realize just how diverse the herbivorous reptile population is. Some of the most well-known herbivorous reptiles include iguanas, bearded dragons, and tortoises.

However, there are many other species that fall into this category as well. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common herbivorous reptiles and what makes them unique

Examples of Reptiles that Are Herbivores

Reptiles that are herbivores have a number of adaptations that allow them to thrive on a vegetarian diet. For example, they often have longer intestines than their carnivorous counterparts, which allows them to digest plant matter more efficiently.

They also typically have strong jaws and teeth that are designed for chewing plants. Additionally, many herbivorous reptiles have special adaptations in their digestive tract. These include large livers and gallbladders to help them break down plant matter more effectively.

1. Aquatic Turtle

Aquatic turtles are herbivorous reptiles that live in water. These types of turtles can be found in ponds, rivers, and lakes around the world. They usually eat algae or plants that float on the surface of these bodies of water. Some species also feed on fish eggs when they get a chance.

There are over 300 different kinds of aquatic turtles, and they come in a wide variety of sizes.

2. Argentina Tortoise

Argentina tortoise is a herbivorous reptile that is found in South America. These tortoises are known for their large size and impressive shell markings. They typically eat a variety of plants, including fruits, flowers, leaves, and stems.

The tortoise can store water in its shell, which helps it thrive in dry climates.

Argentine Tortoises are the largest land tortoises in the world. They can grow to up to four feet long and weigh over 20 pounds.

These giant reptiles are native to South America where they live on open grasslands or forests.

Their shells can be brown, grey, or black with yellow spots. They have thick legs and a long neck that helps them reach up high into trees for food. The tortoises are herbivores and eat flowers, fruits, leaves, and stems but will also eat insects on occasion as well (not often).

3. Chuckwalla

The chuckwalla is a large lizard that can grow up to three feet long. They have short legs and live in desert areas, where they eat plants such as cacti or agave nectar. Their diet consists primarily of flowers but they will also eat grasses if food is scarce during the dry season.

They are known for their ability to squeeze into small crevices and hide from predators. One type of chuckwalla is the desert iguana, which can grow up to four feet long! They live in deserts across North America and some parts of Mexico.

Chuckwallas have a large body with short legs that make them well adapted to life in the desert. They are able to burrow into the ground to escape the heat of the day and can also climb rocks to find food or shelter. Chuckwallas eat a variety of plants, including cacti, agave nectar, and flowers. During periods when food is scarce, they will also eat grasses.

4. Desert Iguana

The desert iguana is a type of lizard that lives in the deserts of North America and Central America. They are usually brown or grey with dark stripes running down their sides, but some species have brightly colored scales on their heads and necks.

Desert iguanas feed primarily on leaves from cacti, which they find using their sense of smell. They have specially adapted digestive tracts that allow them to extract nutrients from these tough leaves.

Desert iguanas are fast runners and can move quickly over long distances, but they prefer to live under burrows or crevices on hot days. These lizards tend to be solitary animals that only interact with each other during mating season.

They lay their eggs in the springtime and hatchlings emerge after about six weeks of incubation.

5. Desert Tortoise

The desert tortoise is a common herbivorous reptile that can be found in the southwestern United States. This species has a number of adaptations that allow it to thrive on a vegetarian diet, including a long intestine and strong jaws. The desert tortoise also has special flattened teeth that are used for grinding plants.

The desert tortoise has a number of predators, including coyotes, badgers, and snakes. To help protect itself from these predators, the desert tortoise can hide in its shell. The desert tortoise can also run quickly to escape danger.

The desert tortoise is an important part of the ecosystem in the southwestern United States. These animals are prey to a number of predators, including coyotes and snakes. The desert tortoise also helps keep plant populations in check by eating plants.

6. Dryland Tortoise

The dryland tortoise is a small, desert-dwelling tortoise that feeds exclusively on leaves and flowers. They are well-adapted to their harsh environment and can survive for long periods of time without food or water.

The dryland tortoise can be found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. They are usually seen basking in the sun on rocks or logs, but will quickly retreat into their burrows if disturbed.

Dryland tortoises make interesting pets, but they require a lot of specialized care. They need a warm, dry environment with plenty of UVB light, and must be fed a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.

7. Green Iguana

The green iguana is a well-known herbivorous reptile. These lizards are native to Central and South America, and they typically live in trees or other high places. Green iguanas are omnivores, but they prefer a vegetarian diet.

They have long intestines that allow them to digest plant matter efficiently, and their strong jaws and teeth are perfect for chewing plants. Green iguanas also have a special adaptation in their digestive tract that allows them to absorb nutrients from plant material.

8. Mediterranean Tortoise

The Mediterranean tortoise is a small tortoise that is native to the Mediterranean region. This tortoise is a herbivore, and it prefers a diet of grasses, flowers, and other plant matter.

The Mediterranean tortoise has a specially adapted digestive system that allows it to digest plant material effectively. It also has strong jaws and teeth that are perfect for chewing plants.

9. Morrocoy

The morrocoy is a small, herbivorous lizard that is found in Central and South America. It has a long, slender body and a prehensile tail. The morrocoy’s diet consists mainly of insects, but it will also eat leaves and other plant matter. It has specially adapted digestive enzymes that allow it to digest these foods more efficiently.

10. Prehensile-tailed skinks

The prehensile-tailed skink is a type of lizard that lives in Australia and New Guinea. They are herbivores and eat mostly plants, but they will also sometimes feast on small insects if given the opportunity to do so. These lizards have long tails which help them climb trees and catch food with ease.

11. Russian Tortoise

The Russian tortoise is a small, herbivorous reptile that is found in parts of Europe and Asia. This tortoise has a flattened shell and a strong jaw that allows it to crush the hard seeds and nuts that make up its diet.

The Russian tortoise also has a specially adapted digestive tract that allows it to digest plant matter more efficiently. The tortoise can live up to 80 years old and is a popular pet in many countries.

12. Sahara Spiny-Tailed Lizard

Perhaps the most famous of all the herbivorous reptiles, this lizard spends its entire life in super-hot desert environments. The Sahara spiny-tailed lizard is a small creature that grows to be about eight inches long and weighs up to two pounds when fully grown.

They are well adapted for their habitat, with large eyes to see in the bright desert sun and spiny scales that help protect them from the extreme heat. They feed mainly on succulent plants, but will also eat insects if they are available.

13. Sinaloa Scrub Tortoise

This tortoise is native to the dry scrublands of Mexico and spends most of its days searching for food. The Sinaloa scrub tortoise has long claws on its front legs that are used to dig up roots and other plant matter from the ground.

They can reach a weight of nearly ten pounds, but they don’t get much bigger than that. These tortoises have thick shell and strong legs, which helps them survive in the harsh desert environment where they live.

14. Solomon Island Skink 

The Solomon Island skink is a small, lizard that is found in the Solomon Islands. This species is strictly herbivorous and feeds on a variety of plant matter, including leaves, fruits, and flowers.

The Solomon Island skink has a specially adapted digestive tract that allows it to digest plant matter easily. It also has blunt teeth that are perfect for chewing plants.

15. Uromastyx

This is one of the most popular lizards that people keep as pets. The Uromastyx, also known as a spiny-tailed lizard or dabb lizard, is an herbivore that originated in Africa. It prefers to live in dry, arid regions such as deserts and semi-deserts and has a number of adaptations that allow it to survive in these environments.

For example, the Uromastyx has a long, pointed tail that helps it to regulate its body temperature and a robust digestive system that allows it to digest tough plant matter.

16. Yellow-Footed Tortoise

The yellow-footed tortoise is a species of tortoise that is found in the southern United States and Mexico. It is a herbivore that feeds primarily on grasses, weeds, and other plant matter.

The tortoise has a number of adaptations that allow it to thrive on this diet, including a strong jaw and teeth for chewing and a long, pointed tail that helps it regulate its body temperature. Furthermore, the tortoise has an extremely slow metabolism, which allows it to survive on very little food or water for extended periods of time.

The yellow-footed tortoise is similar in appearance to other types of land-dwelling turtles and tortoises but there are a few key features that help to distinguish it from other species. For example, the tortoise has a yellow or orange coloring on its feet and legs and a characteristic black “mask” around its eyes.

More Articles About Reptiles:

• Reptiles that are Herbivores
• Are Frogs Reptiles?
• The 10 Smartest Reptiles

Conclusion

While many reptiles are carnivores, and in fact some like snakes are true carnivores (meaning they eat no plants at all), there are a handful of reptiles that have evolved to be herbivores. The most common among these are several breeds of turtle.

Chris

I am the founder and owner of Fauna Facts. My mission is to write valuable and entertaining information about animals and pets for my audience. I hope you enjoy the site!