These summary statistics and analyses are based on the European reptiles dataset published in May 2009.

The status of reptiles was assessed at two regional levels: geographical Europe, and the EU 27. At the European regional level, 19.4% of reptiles are threatened, with 4.3% Critically Endangered, 7.9% Endangered, and 7.1% Vulnerable. Within the EU 27 the pattern is similar: 21.1% of reptiles are threatened, with a similar breakdown between the three threatened categories.

Overall, approximately one fifth of reptiles are considered threatened in Europe. A further 12.9% are considered Near Threatened. By comparison, 22.9% of European amphibians, 15.2% of European mammals and 13% of European birds are threatened. A further 17 reptile species were classed as Not Applicable, either because they were introduced after AD 1500 or are of marginal occurrence in the European region.

*Excluding species that are considered Not Applicable

Red List status of reptiles in Europe

Red List status of reptiles in Europe
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Red List status of reptiles in the EU 27
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Status by taxonomic group

European reptiles belong to a number of different families, among which considerable differences exist both in species numbers as well as in threatened status. The reptile families Viperidae (vipers), Lacertidae (wall lizards), Geoemydidae (pond turtles) and Testudinidae (tortoises) show particularly high levels of threat.

*Does not include species classed as Not Applicable (NA).

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