Revealing Reptiles Rhonda Hawley, Educator, Developed with funding from the Mathematics & Science Center

Revealing Reptiles There are four kinds of reptiles: 1) lizards and snakes; 2) crocodiles and alligators; 3) turtles and tortoises; 4) tuataras.

Snakes! Snakes have a very flexible backbone with lots of vertebra. This allows them to move in an “S” pattern. Snakes have dry, scaly skin.

Some snakes keep on growing until they are “giant-sized”. Snakes can re-grow old teeth when they lose them.

Snake eggs usually have a leathery shell. Most snakes bury their eggs in the ground.

Snakes crawl out of their old skin, usually leaving it behind in one piece.

Turtles and Tortoises! The turtle and tortoise shell is really their backbone and ribs, which have grown outside of their skin to protect them.

Crocodiles and Alligators! Crocodiles and alligators live mostly in the water. They are meat eaters.

Crocodiles and alligators lay their eggs on land. They take good care of their young. They grow very, very large in a lifetime.

Crocodiles and alligators can usually be found baking in the sun. They will also use the water to help them to cool off or to keep them warm.

Tuatara! Tuatara can only be found on the islands of New Zealand. They are protected in New Zealand because they are an endangered species.

The tuatara eats beetles, spiders, slugs, snails, grasshoppers, earthworms, as well as bird eggs, baby birds and small lizards.

Tuataras do lay eggs like most reptiles but the eggs do not hatch for a year or more.

Lizards! There are over 3,000 kinds of lizards. Most lizards live on the ground, some live in trees, some burrow, and some live in the water.

All lizards have “super” long tongues. They can “taste” smells in the air and on the ground, using their tongue.

Lizards have great claws for gripping. They also use their tail for gripping and keeping them attached to tree branches.

COOL FACTS! Reptiles bodies are covered in scales, which keep their bodies from drying out. Snakes need hot air temperatures to help them digest their food. Thousands of male garter snakes hibernate together for warmth. The poisonous black mamba is the fastest snake. It can move up to 12 mph (19 km/h). The crocodile will often open its mouth so that the sun’s heat warms the blood vessels in its mouth. This helps to warm its body. The Marion’s tortoise is thought to be the world’s longest lived animal. It can live for 150 years.

Photograph Credits Slides 2 – 10 and : Smithsonian National Zoological Park; Reptiles & Amphibians photo gallery Photographer: Jessie Cohen ault.cfm Slides 11 & 13 : Department of Conservation Mount Bruce National Wildlife Center Slide 12 : Tuatara Photographer: Michael Schneider