These 15 Colorful Reptiles Will Leave You Stunned
Reptiles are known for their remarkable diversity, and some species showcase an array of vibrant colors that is sure to captivate everyone that witnesses them. In this article, we will cover 15 of the most colorful reptiles that you can own as a pet! From colorful chameleons to stunning snakes, these creatures boast astonishing hues that will leave you in awe. Do you know anyone that owns one of these pets? Do you own one yourself? Drop us a comment on our Instagram post letting us know which one of these reptiles was your favorite!
1. Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
A list of colorful animals would not be complete without a chameleon! Possibly one of the most recognizable, colorful reptiles is the Panther Chameleon! With many different colors, the Panther Chameleon makes a wonderful display reptile for intermediate to advanced keepers! If you own a Panther Chameleon already, or are planning on taking one home, check out our Panther Chameleon care sheet to learn how to properly care for these amazing reptiles.
2. Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria)
The Brazilian Rainbow Boa is aptly named for the rainbow iridescence produced when light hits their scales. With their bright orange coloration and rainbow sheen, they are one of the most “rainbow” looking snakes you can own!
3. Ornate Uromastyx (Uromastyx ornata)
The Ornate Uromastyx is one of the most vibrant Uromastyx varieties. Not only are they stunningly beautiful, they are also generally an easygoing, friendly lizard.
4. Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianesis)
Not to be confused with the similarly named Caiman Alligator, the Caiman Lizard looks like the love child of a rainbow, a tegu, and an alligator! These semi-aquatic lizards are frequently wild caught, require a large pool of water, and a diet of primarily snails, making them more difficult to keep in captivity. Keepers who are able to meet their demanding care requirements will be rewarded with a beautiful pet!
5. Ornate Day Gecko (Phelsuma ornata)
One of the most beautiful day gecko species, the Ornate Day Gecko sports beautiful shades of green, red, and blue. They are incredibly fast and rather timid, so they are best suited as display animals rather than pets to hold.
6. Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)
The Eastern Collared Lizard is an intelligent, docile lizard that is found in the southern United States. They are sexually dimorphic, with males having vivid shades of blue, yellow, and orange scales.
7. Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus)
Although not legal to own in the United States, these manageable sized iguanas have earned quite the reputation for being wonderful pets in other areas of the With their vibrant green and blue coloration, and small adult size, the Fiji Banded Iguana is a phenomenal iguana species for those looking for a smaller sized, even-tempered iguana.
8. Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)
Known for their loud bark and feisty bite, this beautiful gecko may be best as a “look, don’t touch” species. When fired down, The Tokay Gecko has a light blue coloration with bright orange spots. We recently built a huge reptile habitat using our 2’x2’x4’ Zen Habitats Reptile Enclosure for our Tokay Gecko, Goji! You can check out the video here: MASSIVE Reptile Enclosure Build For Our New Tokay Gecko + A Special Visit from Dakotah Blue Exotics!
9. San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia)
The San Francisco Garter Snake is a stunning species of snake native to the western United States, and widely considered to be the most beautiful North American snake species. Similar to the California Red Sided Garter, this snake also has red on their sides, but can be distinguished by solid lines of color running up their body.
10. Red Headed Agama (Agama agama)
Also known as the Rainbow Agama, this medium sized lizard is aptly named for its bright orangey red colored head. The species is sexually dimorphic, with males having a bright blue body and red colored head.
11. Electric Blue Day Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)
The Electric Blue Day Gecko is a small species of gecko that lives up to their name! Males have a striking neon blue coloration over their entire body. As a diurnal gecko species, they are a great species to have on display.
12. Cave Dwelling Rat Snake (Othriophis taeniurus ridleyi)
The Cave Dwelling Rat Snake has a stunning pastel gradient covering their entire body. With shades of yellow, orange, blue, and purple.
Image Credit: Tumblr/OodlesofNoodles
13. Broadley’s Flat Lizard (Platysaurus broadleyi)
This rainbow lizard is native to South Africa and can be found sunning on rocks during the day. Males have vibrant rainbow coloration, which helps attract mates. Unfortunately, their flashy coloration also attracts unwanted attention from predators, such as kestrels. Females are more dull in color, and therefore much less likely to be eaten than their male counterparts.
14. Union Island Gecko (Gonetodes daudini)
One of the rarest animals on this list, the Union Island Gecko is a small, critically endangered gecko species from the Caribbean. Thankfully, they are making a dramatic recovery in their native habitat, and several breeders are successfully captive breeding the species.
15. Indo-Chinese Forest Lizard (Calotes mystaceus)
These colorful lizards are native to Southeast Asia and have been growing in popularity in the pet trade. Most individuals in captivity are still wild caught, and efforts to reproduce the species in captivity is not yet widespread. Therefore, it is advised that these animals are kept by experienced reptile keepers.
If you are interested in owning one of these rainbow critters for yourself, it is important to obtain your animals from trusted sources and captive breeders as to not support the illegal poaching of wild animals.
