Ready to discover the ultimate reptile reference book? Check out this illustrated, fact-packed guide from DeadlyScience founder, Corey Tutt!

Handle with care, because this book is bursting with sss-super information about more than 60 reptiles, and shares First Nations knowledge of animals found on Country, from lizards and snakes to turtles and crocodiles.

Discover their breeding habits, predators and prey, conservation status, and what makes them soooo deadly. Plus, learn cool facts, like:

  • Western sawshelled turtles can stay underwater for three days by breathing through their bums!
  • Central bearded dragons can change their beard colour!
  • Green tree snakes aren’t always green!

Corey Chat!

Author, professor and NSW Young Australian of the Year, Corey Tutt tells us about his awesome book


Hi Corey! What inspired you to write this great guide?

I’ve loved reptiles since I was a kid, and they’ve been a huge part of my life. The first book I owned was Australian Reptiles in Colour by Dr. Harold Cogger, so to create the first-ever reptile book featuring traditional language names for reptiles was just a dream come true.

Why do you think some people are scared of reptiles?

We can’t humanise reptiles in the way that we humanise cats and dogs, or even birds. The anatomy of a reptile is so different to us that this makes some people scared of them.

Which reptile would you like to be and why?

Probably a green sea turtle! I’d just love to see the world through the oceans and hopefully not get eaten by a shark! Plus, I would glow in the dark in the right conditions.

Wow! What kinds of things do reptile do to ward off predators?

Perentie lizards can use their whiplike tail to slap a predator away, and bandy-bandy snakes use ‘flicker fusion’, where the pattern on their body creates a flickering illusion like a strobe light. Other reptiles will bluff by flashing their blue or black tongue, which says to a predator, “I am big and I am venomous – so get away from me!”

Clever! If you could talk to a reptile, what would you ask it?

I would speak to a Galápagos tortoise because they live for 300 years and they see so much in that time. I’d ask them what was the most interesting thing they’ve seen through history!

Are many reptiles in Australia endangered?

More research is needed, but it’s thought that 11 species of reptile in Australia will be extinct by 2040, so it’s really important that young readers learn to care for reptiles.

So important! Thanks, Corey!

WIN a copy of the book!

3 lucky winners will get their claws on this epic book!

Click here to enter the competition

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