Kawa-kawa is a part of the buffer zone of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Barangay Maputi, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. This is a pioneering study that provides a preliminary inventory of the reptiles in Kawa-kawa, its species diversity and microhabitat preferences. To achieve these objectives, three sites were established and sampled by a combination of opportunistic catching, pitfall trapping and belt transect methods for finding and capturing reptiles. Morphometrics, body temperatures, microhabitat preferences and physicochemical factors were recorded.  
 
 Surveys documented a total of 15 species belonging to six families. All sites had moderate diversity. However, the highest species richness and diversity occurred in Site 1. Sphenomorphus sp. 1 was the most abundant of all species with 14 individuals found in all sites. Majority of the reptiles prefer type II or ground microhabitat, particularly leaf litter, rocks and boulders. Sphenomorphus sp. 1 had the highest mean body temperature recorded while G. sophiae had the lowest body temperature among the 15 species. None of the documented reptiles were listed by IUCN as threatened. However, 80% of the species are Philippine endemic. The presence of endemic reptiles in the study area makes Kawa-kawa worthy of conservation and proper management planning to maintain the integrity of the area and sustain reptile populations.