The reptiles of Cape Verde comprise 24 terrestrial species, along with six species of sea turtles found along its coasts and beaches. The Cape Verde giant skink became extinct at the beginning of the 20th century. Several of the archipelagoâÂÂs endemic species also have subspecies unique to each island. Finally, among the introduced species, there is debate over whether the one that is established is the tropical house gecko or the merchant gecko.