1. Reptiles

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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