Amphibians and Reptiles

• Anaconda: the largest snake in the world, able to easily crush a human being with its strength. Natives have many legends about gigantic killer anacondas.
• Black alligator: the most important alligator or crocodile family in Ecuador. It eats fishes mostly, but there are rumors about some attacking humans.

• Boa: this Amazonian snake kills its prey by wrapping around it until it chokes. The famous emerald boa is orange at youth and becomes green upon maturity.

• Crystal frog: this frog has a transparent skin that permits one to see its internal organs. One can even see its heart beat.

• Giant tortoise: their originally large number was terribly diminished by seamen that took them as a source of fresh meat. Only 11 of 15 subspecies remain.
• Land iguana: these reptiles eat cactus pads and flowers. They lay six to twelve eggs in a nest excavated in areas of soft earth.
• Marine iguana: the only iguana in the world that feeds in the ocean, from algae. In Isabela Island are the largest and in Española Island the most colorful.

• Pacific green sea turtle: an internationally protected species. The females come ashore one night a year to lay eggs, but most hatchlings die on the way to the sea.