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A chameleon catching a bug with its lightning-quick tongue.
- There are 10,000 species of reptiles worldwide, according to the Reptile Database.
- Before the dinosaurs went extinct, reptiles were the dominant species to walk the planet for over 270 million years.
- Here are 14 breathtaking images of reptiles in the wild.
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Komodo dragons and vipers and alligators, oh my! Some reptiles may have a scary reputation, and it's no wonder that these ancient creatures have captivated public imagery for decades - from "Crocodile Dundee" to "Anaconda."
But there's much more to reptiles than fangs and fury. These scaly beings rained supreme for over 270 million years until the extinction of the dinosaurs. Since then, this ancient class of creatures has evolved into all shapes and sizes, with over 10,000 known species to date.
From adorable tiny turtles to those that look like miniature dinosaurs, here are 14 breathtaking images of reptiles in the wild.