Located on the equator, Indonesia is an archipelago made up of over 17,000 islands, a hotspot for biodiversity, especially when it comes to reptiles and amphibians! The term “herpetofauna” is derived from the Greek word herpeton (meaning "creeping") and the Latin fauna (meaning "animal"). Indonesia is home to more than 800 species of reptiles and 500 species of amphibians, with new species being discovered regularly.
Geographically, Indonesia is split into three distinct bioregions: Sundaland (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Bali), Wallacea (the Lesser Sundas, the Moluccas, and Sulawesi), and Sahul (Papua). Currently, we offer tours focused on wildlife in Sundaland and Wallacea, and we're excited to expand to Sahul in the near future.
The majority of Indonesia's reptiles belong to the order Squamata (snakes and lizards), with approximately 375 species of snakes and 385 species of lizards. During our tours, we've encountered over 100 species of snakes and around 50 species of lizards, such as the iconic Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and the adaptable tokay gecko (Gekko gecko). However, we’ve also had the privilege of discovering more elusive species, such as the Sulawesi worm lizard (Dibamus celebensis), Timor monitor (Varanus timorensis), red-bearded flying dragon (Draco haematopogon), and Tytthoscincus textus, a secretive species of skink endemic to Sulawesi.
On Java and Roti, we've also discovered previously undescribed species of bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus), which are now being studied by leading Indonesian taxonomists. While lizards can be more elusive due to their smaller size, cryptic nature, and restricted habitats, snakes are usually more widespread, giving us a higher chance of encountering a greater variety of species.
We have a special fondness for snakes! These creatures are often misunderstood but are quite abundant and diverse in Indonesia. They are adaptable and display incredible variety, each species unique in its own way. Since launching our tours in 2016, we've encountered a fantastic range of snakes—from the massive reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) to the tiny blind snake (Virgotyphlops braminus), which holds the title of the world’s smallest snake.
Some of the more iconic snakes we've encountered include the dragon snake (Xenodermus javanicus), ashy pit viper (Craspedocephalus puniceus), mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila), and the striking blue form of the Island pit viper (Trimeresurus insularis), endemic to the Lesser Sundas. Additionally, we've come across some rarer species, such as the black-headed litter snake (Sibynophis melanocephalus), reed snakes (Calamaria spp.), and the elusive blue coral snake (Calliophis bivirgatus).
Indonesia is home to about 37 species of turtles (used loosely to include all members of the order Testudinata), including two land tortoises, six marine turtles, and the remainder consisting of freshwater terrapins and softshell turtles. Unfortunately, turtles are becoming increasingly rare due to habitat destruction, pollution, and poaching. As a result, turtle encounters are rare during our tours, as these creatures are secretive and increasingly difficult to find.
However, we’ve had the privilege of spotting some of Indonesia’s turtle species, such as the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Indonesian box turtle (Cuora cuoro), leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata), Asiatic softshell (Amyda cartilaginea), and the forest softshell (Dogania subplana).
Indonesia is home to four or five species of crocodiles. The Hall’s New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus halli) is only known to inhabit Papua New Guinea, though it may also occur in Indonesia, as the two countries share the island of Papua. Other crocodile species found in Indonesia include the world’s largest reptile - the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) along with its smaller counterpart, the Papuan crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae), the enigmatic false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), and the critically endangered Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis). As none of our tours have been crocodile-focused, we’ve only encountered two species: the estuarine crocodile while in Java, Sulawesi, and the Lesser Sundas, along with a false gharial while on tour in Borneo.
Indonesia’s rich herpetofauna is a testament to the incredible diversity and adaptability of life in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. From the towering Komodo dragons to the elusive, secretive softshell turtles, the archipelago offers a truly unique opportunity to witness wildlife that few have the privilege of encountering. Whether you’re a seasoned herper or simply a nature enthusiast, our tours provide a rare chance to explore these remarkable creatures in their natural habitats. We look forward to continuing this journey of discovery and sharing Indonesia’s stunning biodiversity with you in the years to come.