Reptiles

What are Reptiles? Reptiles are a group of cold-blooded animals who mostly live on land and have a dry, thick skin covered with scales. Reptiles outgrow their skins and have to shed them periodically. There are four groups of reptiles: 1. Snakes – includes various types of snakes 2. Lizards – includes geckos, iguanas, Gila monsters, and many more. 3. Turtles – includes turtles and tortoises 4. Crocodiles – includes alligators and crocodiles

Types of Reptiles Snake Lizard Turtle Crocodile Diamondback Rattlesnake Gila Monster Turtle Crocodile Loggerhead Sea Turtle American Crocodile

Reptiles Reproduce on Land While some reptiles give birth to live young, many reptiles lay eggs on land. Reptiles lay amniotic eggs; eggs with a tough, leathery shell. This thick outer covering serves as protection and prevents water loss for the embryo. Komodo Dragon Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Snakes The Extremes: The Reticulated Python is the world’s longest snake (up to 32 feet long) The Anaconda is the world’s heaviest snake (up to 600 lbs.) The King Cobra is the world’s most poisonous snake (one bite could kill 20 people) Reticulated Python Anaconda King cobra

Snake Feeding Contrary to popular belief, most snakes are not poisonous. Only 10% of snakes are venomous, and of the 10%, 87% of them live in Australia. Snakes are able to unhinge their jaw in order to eat larger animals. Boa constrictors eat by catching prey with their mouths and then suffocating the animal by squeezing. Rock Python eating a gazelle Boa Constrictor

Snake Senses Snakes usually have good vision, however, their vision is poor a few days before they shed their skin. Snakes do not have ears, and they hear by feeling vibrations in the ground. Snakes smell by using their tongues. A specialized organ in their mouths called a Jacobson’s organ registers smells.

Lizards Unlike snakes, lizards have legs, ears, and eyelids. Lizards shed their skin in many pieces instead of one long piece. Lizards have a “third eye” on the top of their heads called a Pineal gland. The Pineal gland allows lizards to detect light and shade. Collared Lizard Western Banded Gecko

Turtles & Tortoises Turtles are better adapted for water, while tortoises are better adapted for land. A turtle/tortoise’s shell is part of its skeletal system and contains its backbone. Galapagos tortoises can live to be 150 years old and weigh over 600 lbs! Galapagos Tortoise Eastern Box Turtle Leatherback Turtle

Alligators & Crocodiles Alligators and crocodiles use their powerful tails to swim. They have very powerful jaws, which makes it almost impossible for prey to escape. Alligators have short, broad snouts, whereas crocodiles have long, slender snouts. American Alligator American Crocodile