The herpetofauna of the Altyn-Emel National Park is characterized by its diversity: it is home to 25 species of reptiles, including 16 species of lizards, 8 species of snakes, and one species of tortoise.
Species distribution by landscape:
- Mountains: The Sholak, Degeres, and Matai mountains, bordering the desert, are less densely populated than the plains. On rocky areas up to an altitude of 3,000 meters, the Halys viper dominates, while at the bottom of mountain gorges near water, the Dione ratsnake, cliff racer, sand lizard, and Caspius gecko are found.
- Ili River Floodplain: Snakes predominate here — the dice snake, grass snake, ratsnake, and Halys viper — while among lizards in the turanga groves, the Russow's gecko dominates.
- Desert: The plain between the mountains and the river is the center of species diversity, where the reptile composition depends on the soil type:
- Stony desert: steppe tortoise, sunwatcher agama, variegated racerunner, Steppes ratsnake, Halys viper, and a rare representative of the park's herpetofauna — the Alpheraky's toad-headed agama, listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.
- Clay desert: the steppe agama and Caspius gecko are additionally found.
- Sand massifs: On the edge of the sands, the rapid and medium racerunners appear, while on the dunes themselves, the sunwatcher (eared) toad-headed agama and reticulated racerunner are common. In overgrown areas, the striped racerunner, tatar sand boa, and Steppes ratsnake are found.
Lizards
Family Gekkonidae (Geckos):
- Caspian Dwarf Gecko – Alsophylax pipiens. Found in the floodplain forest of the Ili River, where it lives on the trunks of old turanga trees, as well as in the foothills of xerophytic mountains (in rock screes and human structures).
- Grey Thin-toed Gecko – Mediodactylus russowii. Inhabits rock crevices in the lower parts of the Sholak, Degeres, and Katutau mountain gorges. It is also found on turanga trees in groves.
- Common Wonder Gecko – Teratoscincus scincus. Lives in the shifting sands of the eastern part of the national park, stretching along the Ili River floodplain, as well as on the Singing Dune.
Family Agamidae (Agamas):
- Steppe Agama – Trapelus sanguinolentus. Found throughout almost the entire territory of the national park up to altitudes of 800–1000 m in clay and sandy deserts with juzgun and saxaul shrubs.
- Kushakewitsch's Toad-headed Agama – Phrynocephalus kuschakewitschi. Found only in sand massifs, presumably only in the westernmost part of the national park.
- Alpheraky's Toad-headed Agama* – Phrynocephalus alpherakii. Within the national park, it primarily inhabits stony deserts (further east, it is also found in sands). Listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.
- Sunwatcher Agama – Phrynocephalus helioscopus. A widespread species. Primarily inhabits stony piedmont plains.
- Secretive Toad-headed Agama (Eared Agama) – Phrynocephalus mystaceus. An inhabitant of open sands and shifting dunes.
Family Scincidae (Skinks):
- Desert Lidless Skink – Ablepharus deserti. Inhabits the rocky slopes of the Sholak Mountains.
Family Lacertidae (True lizards):
- Steppe-Runner (Variegated Racerunner) – Eremias arguta. An inhabitant of clay-stony foothills; widely distributed in the Konyrolen Valley at altitudes of 1000–1500 m.
- Reticulated Racerunner – Eremias grammica. Lives in the open sand massifs of the eastern part of the national park along the Ili River and on the Singing Dune.
- Central Asian Racerunner – Eremias intermedia. Known within the national park only from the area of the Singing Dune.
- Striped racerunner – Eremias lineolata. Inhabits sands along the Ili River and the northern shore of the Kapchagai Reservoir.
- Sand Racerunner – Eremias scripta. A strict psammophile (sand-dweller); so far recorded in the national park only on the Singing Dune.
- Rapid Racerunner – Eremias velox. A numerous species; inhabits clay, stony, and sandy desert areas.
- Sand Lizard – Lacerta agilis. Found only in the mountainous part of the national park at altitudes above 1000–1200 m among shrub thickets.
Grey Gecko – Mediodactylus russowii.
A small lizard (body up to 6 cm, with tail — up to 12 cm). The skin is covered with fine scales and characteristic convex tubercles forming longitudinal rows.
The coloration is inconspicuous, grey or brownish-grey with dark transverse M-shaped spots, which makes it practically invisible against the background of rocks or turanga bark.
Thanks to the special structure of its toes with sharp claws, the grey gecko moves masterfully on vertical surfaces.
In case of danger, the gecko easily sheds its tail (autotomy), which later regrows but usually appears slightly shorter and darker than the original.
Steppe Agama – Trapelus sanguinolentus.
A medium-sized lizard (body up to 12 cm, with tail — up to 30 cm) with a massive head and spiny scales.
The greyish-sandy coloration camouflages it perfectly on the ground, but the agama is capable of changing color: when excited, males develop a bright blue throat and flanks, while females develop orange spots during the breeding season.
As an excellent climber, it often uses shrub branches as observation posts.
The agama does not shed its tail — it serves as a sturdy balancer during rapid running and jumping.
Kuschakewitsch's Toadhead Agama – Phrynocephalus kuschakewitschi.
A small lizard (body up to 7 cm, with tail — up to 16 cm) with a broad, disc-shaped head and a flat body characteristic of the genus.
The sandy-grey coloration with fine speckles makes it practically invisible against the ground.
As a typical inhabitant of open sands, it instantly buries itself in the substrate upon danger using rapid lateral body movements.
An important distinguishing feature is the coloration of the underside of the tail: when coiled (display behavior), bright transverse stripes become visible.
Alpheraky's Toadhead Agama* – Phrynocephalus alpherakii.
A small lizard (body up to 6 cm, with tail — up to 13 cm). It possesses a "toad-like" head and a flat body typical of the genus.
The dorsal coloration is greyish-sandy with dense speckles and small spots, making it invisible against gravel. The belly is white, and the underside of the tail in adults has a pinkish or reddish tint.
Like other toadhead agamas, it actively communicates with its kin using its tail. It curls the tail over its back, displaying the coloration of the underside, which serves as a signal for marking territory or attracting a mate.
An endemic species of the region. It is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.
Sunwatcher Toadhead Agama – Phrynocephalus helioscopus.
A stocky lizard (body up to 7 cm, with tail — up to 15 cm). It is distinguished by a very broad, almost circular head.
The coloration is grey or brownish with a symmetrical pattern of spots.
The scientific name helioscopus translates as "sunwatcher." This refers to its habit of sitting with its head held high while basking in the sun.
When encountering kin or danger, it rhythmically curls and uncurls its tail. Like all agamas (toadhead agamas), it does not shed its tail. Instead, it relies on perfect camouflage, literally blending in with the color of the takyr soil.
Secret Toadhead Agama – Phrynocephalus mystaceus.
A large and massive lizard for its genus (body up to 12 cm, with tail — up to 25 cm).
The main feature is the wide skin folds ("ears") at the corners of the mouth, fringed with long serrated scales. If threatened, the lizard assumes a terrifying pose: it opens its mouth wide and spreads its "ears," which instantly flush with blood and turn bright red. This visually enlarges the head and intimidates even large predators.
The dorsal coloration is sandy with fine speckles. Like other sand-dwelling species, it does not just burrow into the sand but literally sinks into it within seconds, thanks to the rapid vibrating movements of its flat body.
Reticulated Racerunner – Eremias grammica.
The largest racerunner in Altyn-Emel (body up to 10 cm, with tail — up to 22 cm).
It has a sturdy build and a characteristic "marbled" camouflage pattern. The toes of the reticulated racerunner feature highly developed horny scales ("sand skis"), which allow it to move across loose sand without sinking.
Like other true lizards (not agamas), it easily sheds its tail if a predator manages to catch it; however, catching one is extremely difficult.
When severely frightened or for overnight shelter, it is capable of lightning-fast "screwing" itself into the sand.
Snakes
Family Boidae (Boas):
- Tartar Sand Boa — Eryx tataricus. A numerous snake inhabiting diverse biotopes: clay, gravelly, and sandy deserts. Found in anthropogenic landscapes—in vegetable gardens and around border outposts.
Family Colubridae:
- Multi-colored Racer — Hemorrhois ravergieri. Prefers rocky slopes, cliffs with shrubs, ravines, and water body shores. Reaches altitudes up to 2500 m in the mountains.
- Dione Rat Snake — Elaphe dione. Tends towards river floodplains and mountain slopes (up to 1800 m) densely overgrown with shrubs.
- Grass Snake — Natrix natrix. Lives strictly along the shores of water bodies, found primarily in the Ili River floodplain.
- Dice Snake — Natrix tessellata. Closely associated with the aquatic environment. Numerous along the Ili River bed; also recorded on the Borokhudzir River.
- Steppe Ribbon Racer (Steppe Snake) — Psammophis lineolatus. One of the most typical and fastest inhabitants of the national park's desert plains.
Two species of venomous snakes (Family Viperidae) are found within the Altyn-Emel National Park:
- Halys Pit Viper (Pallas’ Pit Viper) — Gloydius halys. Inhabits clay and gravelly plains, salt flats, and sands. Most commonly found in the Sholak foothills and on the Altyn-Emel Ridge among rocks and screes.
- Steppe Viper — Vipera renardi. A typical inhabitant of clay semi-deserts, steppes, and salt-marsh meadows. Also found in reed and tamarisk thickets along rivers.
Pallas's Viper / Central Asian Pit Viper — Gloydius halys.
A thick-bodied snake (up to 70 cm) with a triangular head and characteristic "thermal imaging" pits on its snout. The coloration is greyish-brown with dark spots.
Non-aggressive; when encountered, it freezes or slowly slithers away; it bites only if stepped on. The venom causes severe swelling and pain but is usually not fatal.
What to do: Simply step back a few meters without attempting to drive the snake away.
Eastern Steppe Viper — Vipera renardi.
A small snake (up to 55 cm) with a dark zigzag pattern on its back.
Secretive and shy: it tries to disappear into the grass long before any contact with humans. The bite is painful, but the venom is less toxic than that of other vipers.
What to do: Wear high boots and thick trousers. When walking through thick grass, create noise — the vibration of the ground will cause the viper to move out of your way.
To ensure safety, remain calm, watch your step, and check resting areas carefully, strictly avoiding contact with snakes, which show aggression only for self-defense purposes.
Tortoises
Only one species of tortoise is found in Altyn-Emel. This is the Central Asian tortoise, or steppe tortoise*, which is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a vulnerable species.
Central Asian (Steppe) Tortoise* — Testudo (Agrionemys) horsfieldii.
A small tortoise with a low, rounded shell measuring 15–20 cm, yellowish-brown in color with dark spots. Its main difference from other tortoises is that it has only 4 claws on its front legs (most others have 5).
Tortoises are active for only 3–4 months a year (from March–April to June–July). The rest of the time, they spend in hibernation in deep burrows.
Central Asian tortoises were the first living creatures to fly around the Moon and return to Earth alive (Soviet spacecraft "Zond-5", 1968). They endured the flight better than humans due to their slow metabolism.
