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Which reptiles can live near or above the Arctic Circle?

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A painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) with a dark shell and red and yellow markings rests on a rock near water, surrounded by green aquatic plants. — reptile Painted turtle (*Chrysemys picta*).

While most reptiles inhabit temperate and tropical regions, at least two species have populations that extend into or above the Arctic Circle (66°33′39″ N latitude): the European viper (Vipera berus) and the common, or viviparous, lizard (Lacerta vivipara, also known as Zootoca vivipara).12

These species are able to survive at such high latitudes by utilizing behavioral strategies to regulate their body temperature, as they are ectothermic and rely on external heat sources. Because they depend on environmental warmth, their distribution is limited by the availability of suitable sites for brumation—a state of winter dormancy—where they can avoid freezing temperatures.134

It is important to note that no reptiles can survive in areas where the subsoil is permanently frozen, and even in regions near the Arctic, the short summers often limit the ability of many species to complete their life cycles.4