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 snakes2. Lizards – includes geckos, iguanas, Gila monsters, and many more.3. Turtles – includes turtles and tortoises4. Crocodiles – includes alligators and crocodiles

Types of Reptiles

American Crocodile

Diamondback Rattlesnake

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Gila Monster

Lizard

Crocodile

Snake

Turtle

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

SnakesThe 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