REPTILES

Kingdom Animalia ---Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Reptilia

Characteristics of Reptiles 1. Strong, bony skeletons and feet with claws 2. Ectothermic (cold-blooded) 3. Dry scaley skin 4. Amniote eggs 5. Respiration with lungs 6. Ventricle partially divided 7. Internal fertilization

The Amniote Egg Contains a water and food supply for the developing embryo and can be layed on land. Must be fertilized internally, has a shell

The Amniote Egg

Parts of the Amniote Egg Amnion = watery environment Yolk = food for embryo Allantois = stores waste Chorion = membrane, gas exchange Albumen = egg white, cushion

Types of Reptiles 4 Main Groups (ORDERS) Crocodilia = crocodiles, alligators Testudines = turtles and tortoises Sphenodonta = tuatara Squamata = lizards, snakes ( largest group )

Order Sphenodonta Only found in New Zealand, they have no external ears and a 3rd eye

Order Testudines

Tortoises usually live on the land, turtles in the water

What's this famous turtle's name?

Snapping turtles can be very aggressive

The top of a turtle's shell is the carapace, the bottom is the plastron Is this a turtle or a tortoise?

Order Crocodilia

Alligators are found mainly in North and South America and only live in freshwater Alligators only show their upper teeth when their mouth is closed, and their snouts are rounder (u-shaped)

Crocodiles can live in fresh or salt water, most are found in Africa, India, and Asia

Crocs have a pointed snout and show both rows of teeth when their mouths are closed.

The Nile Crocodile takes care of its young, a unique trait among reptiles

The gavial is a crocodilian with a long, slender snout

Caimen

See videos at o/player/animals/index.html o/player/animals/index.html Snakes and Lizards will be discussed on next presentation......