Reptiles of Malaysia

Malaysian Reptile Species

Reptiles are a vast group of creatures defined by having scales on the body and being ectothermic, or cold-blooded. They are found almost everywhere in the world, except the Antartic, with a high composition of reptile species in the tropics. In Peninsular Malaysia, a wealth of reptile species occurs in all elevations of rainforest. Most species are oviparous (lay eggs) but several snake species are viviparous (bear live young). Snakes and lizards are defined by the order of Squamata, while tortoises and turtles by the order of Testudines.