Reptiles
Reptiles are animals which are ectotherms (cold blooded), they lay eggs, have scales and have a backbone (vertebrate). They also breathe air.
There are 5 types of reptile which are:-
Chelonia (tortoises, turtles and terrapins)- Snakes
- Lizards
- Crocodians (crocodiles, alligators and caiman)
- Tuatara
Reptiles are found all over the world on every continent apart from the Arctic & Antarctica.
Even though reptiles lay eggs there are some species that give birth to live young - just like mammals - those include the skinks from the lizard family and the boas from the snake family.
Because the reptiles body temperature is the same as the air around them, they have to bask in the sun to warm up. However in deserts during the daytime it can get so hot that some reptiles are nocturnal - such as leopard geckos.
Some lizards can shed (detach) their whole tail. This is a defensive reaction should a predator be trying to catch them. By breaking off its own tail, the lizard can put the appendage into spasm which makes it wriggle and appear alive, so whilst the predator is distracted the lizard can run away to safety. Even more impressive is that some species of lizard can grow their tail back.
Did you know that...
- Longest - The reticulated python has been known to reach 33 foot.
- Smallest - British virgin island gecko only reaches 2cm.
- Fastest - Spiny tailed iguana can run at up to 21MPH.
- Most dangerous - The inland taipan has enough venom to kill 100 people or 250,000 mice.
To find out more about the various species of reptiles that may be covered during our lectures, click on the images.