Reptiles Lizards (Most Diverse) ~5,600 species globally (MS has 13 species) Snakes ~3,300 species globally (MS has 41 species, and of these species in MS only 6 are venomous to humans) Turtles ~327 species globally (MS has 30 species) Crocodilians ~25 species globally (MS has 1 species the American Alligator Amphisbaeians ~181 species globally Tuataras 1 species in New Zealand. Has a well-developed third eye used for see predators above.

A lot of reptiles are fossorial Fossorial- spends most of their time underground, AKA subterranean

Turtles Turtle Shell- is made of bone and fused with the turtle's vertebrate and shoulder bones, so it is apart of the animal. TURTLES CAN NOT LEAVE THEIR SHELLS. Dorsal side of shell is called a carapace Ventral side of shell is called a plastron Male turtles are smaller than female turtles They eat invertebrates such as worms and crayfish Turtle threats: Habitat destruction, Used as Human food in some cultures, apart of the pet trade Turtles have a lifespan of ~40 years Picking turtles up from the tail may fracture its vertebrate. Release pet turtles in the wild has caused some turtles to become an invasive species in some areas (ex. France)

Two Species found in MS Common Musk Turtle AKA stink pot- creates a smell to deter predators Box Turtle- can close themselves TIGHT into their shell

Lizards Four limbs and a long tail Males are territorial they protect their spot through posturing behaviors Two MS examples Eastern Fence Lizard- Brown in color for crypsis or camouflage Green Anole- usually green but can change color slightly, Throat fan used to advertise to females and deter males Lizards can break off their tails due to fracture planes- area where the vertebrate can easily separate. Common diet include invertebrates such as insects worms and termites.

Snakes Limbless All Ribs with two muscles attached to each rib for flexible movement They use their tongues to detect sense. Their tongues are forked to determine direction of smell.

Venomous vs. Non-venomous Venomous Triangles shaped heads Pupils are cat shaped Keeled scales- to create rough look dull cover to help them blend in when basking in sun No vertical lines across lips Triangles shaped heads SOMETIMES Pupils are round Keeled scales Dark lines across their lips

Non-venomous snakes hold similar characteristics of venomous snakes as a form of mimicry, so that predators will leave them alone to not risk getting bitten.

Examples of Mimacry Middlen Water Snake (non venomous) Can flare out it's mouth to look triangular It has a banding patter similar to the cotton mouth. Yellow Belly Water Snake (non venomous) It has dark shading, so often it gets confused with the cotton mouth Can flare out it's mouth to look triangular. And can rattle it's tail on leaf litter.

The 6 venomous snakes of MS Cotton Mouth Copperhead Easter Diamond back rattle snake Timber (Canebreak) rattle snake Pygmy rattle snake Coral Snake

Types of Venom Hemolytic Destroys tissue causing cells to pop Cotton mouth Copper head Neurotoxic Effects your nervous system Lose control of limbs Difficult to breath or walk Coral Snake

YOU DON'T HAVE TO KILL A SNAKE For the most part when a person kills a snake they are really killing a non-venomous one posing as a venomous Snakes DON'T WANT TO BITE because they are taking a risk of breaking a fang or loosing energy costly venom that they need to catch their prey. Just stand back, leave them alone, and walk away. They are more scared of you then you are of them. The majority of snake bites are due to people picking snakes up. JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE.

BEST SNAKE EVER King Snake, MS example Speckled King Snake Non-venomous Eats other snakes even venomous ones Eats small mammals like mice and rats Most common Native Species to MS.

Pro-snake 1. They are venom is used to make medicine 2. Pest control- they eat rats and mice along with the ticks and fleas living on the rats and mice 3. Vital predators in the ecosystems and food web.