Hong Kong has 23 recognised species of native amphibians and 76 species of reptiles (Karsen et al 1998). Amphibians in Hong Kong include frogs, toads and newts. Three species of amphibians are considered to be endemic (ie confined to a certain region) or have a very restricted range around Hong Kong. They are the Hong Kong Cascade Frog (Amolops hongkongensis), the Romer's Tree Frog (Philautus romeri) and the Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) which are listed under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap 170), and are protected accordingly. The amphibians are largely confined to freshwater wetlands and the distribution of local frog species was documented by Lau (1998). In Hong Kong, there is only one species of newt, the Hong Kong Newt, which occurs from near sea level to 900m, in streams that are clear and cool (Karsen et al 1998). This species can only survive in clean, well-oxygenated, running water.

Reptiles in Hong Kong are represented by three groups including chelonians, lizards and snakes. There are eight native species of chelonians in Hong Kong, three of which are sea turtles (Karsen et al 1998) (see Paragraphs 4.2.2.21 - 4.2.2.22, Marine Habitats and Species). There is also an introduced freshwater species from North America, the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta). Almost all of the local semi-aquatic, freshwater terrapins live exclusively in reservoirs, ponds and streams with many species restricted to hill streams. In Hong Kong, no native land chelonians, ie tortoises, have been recorded.

There are altogether nineteen native species of recorded lizards in Hong Kong. Geckoes include the house lizards, which are regularly seen inside buildings, as well as species which occur only in the countryside. There are nine species of skink in Hong Kong with only one species living beside streams. All the other species are terrestrial and live in shrubland and grassland. There is only one species of varanid, the Water Monitor (Varanus salvator), recorded in Hong Kong. The optimal habitat for this species is wetland but even the best remaining wetlands in Hong Kong, the Mai Po Marshes, have not yielded any observation of this species for many years (Karsen et al 1998).