Reptiles Terri Reed Brookhollow Elementary

Reptiles Reptiles are vertebrates (they have backbones). Reptiles have dry, scaly skin. Reptiles are cold blooded; that is, the temperature inside their body is about the same as the area around them. If they get hot, they have to move to a shady spot to cool down. If they are cold, they have to sit in the sun to warm up. They live on every continent except Antarctica.

Crocodiles and Alligators Alligators and crocodiles both belong to a group of reptiles called crocodilians. They have long, slender bodies covered with hard scales and reproduce by laying eggs.

What is the difference between alligators and crocodiles? Alligators live in the southeastern United States and in the Yangtze River valley of China. The average alligator is 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters). Crocodiles are usually found near swamps, lakes, and rivers in Asia, Australia, Africa, Madagascar, and the Americas. Crocodiles are larger than alligators. Adult crocodiles range from 7 to 30 feet (2 to 9 meters).

Different heads, different teeth The head of a crocodile is longer and more triangular than an alligator. When a crocodile closes its mouth, the larger teeth on its bottom jaw rest in spaces on the outside of its upper jaw. An alligator has a rounded snout at the end of a slightly shorter head. In an alligator’s mouth, the teeth rest on the inside of the jaw.

Lizards Most lizards have four legs, but some are legless like snakes. They have long tails and moveable eyes. Most live in warm places, and those that live in areas with cold winters must hibernate.

The smallest lizards The skink is one of the smallest lizards in the world. Most measure less than 16 inches (41 centimeters.) The North American five-lined skink guards its eggs and cares for its young. The gecko is another small lizard. They use their tongues to clean their faces – even their eyes!

The largest lizard The largest lizard in the world is the Komodo dragon. It grows more than 10 feet (3 meters) long and may weigh up to 300 pounds (140 kilograms). It has strong claws and sharp, saw-like teeth. It can run very quickly and eats small deer, wild pigs and water buffaloes. It has been known to attack and kill humans. It only eats dead organisms, so it bites its prey and waits for it to die.

Poisonous lizards The Gila monster can be found in the southwestern United States. It stores extra food as fat in its tail, and can live more than a year without eating. The beaded lizard of Mexico is also poisonous.

Color-changing lizards Chameleons turn the color of their background. They turn brown on a brown lead or green on a leaf. Sometimes, a chameleon can have one half of its body totally brown and the other half green!

The Jesus Christ lizard The Basilisk Lizard is called the “Jesus Christ Lizard” because he can walk on water. When frightened, he runs away so quickly that he skims the top of the water. If he slows down, he sinks into the water and swims. This lizard has extra-long back legs which allow him to walk on the water!

Snakes Snakes have long bodies and no legs or ears. They have no eye lids, but do have see-through scales that protect their eyes. They live all over the world except near the North and South Poles (though few species are found in regions that have long winters).

The largest snakes The anaconda measures up to 30 feet (9 meters) long! It is a constrictor, which means it suffocates its prey. The reticulated python grows up to 32 feet (9.8 meters) long, but weighs less than the anaconda.

The smallest snake One of the smallest snakes is the Braminy blind snake which grows only 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. It has eyes, but they are covered by head scales. It can probably only see light and dark.

Snake defense Copperheads use camouflage for defense. They have brown bands that match the pattern of dead leaves and debris on the forest floor. The North American rattlesnake defends itself by shaking dried scales at the end of his tail to create a loud rattling sound.

Turtles Turtles are the only reptile with a shell. Their shell is actually their backbone. They live in lakes, ponds, salt marshes, rivers, forests, and even deserts. Turtles do not make good pets because they carry bacteria that causes salmonella poisoning.

Turtle bodies Most turtles can pull their head, legs and tail into their shell for defense. However, sea turtles do not have this ability. Turtles do not have teeth; instead, they use their sharp beaks to tear food into pieces that are then swallowed whole.

The smallest turtle Bog turtles grow no larger than about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long.

The largest turtle The leatherback turtle grows from 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 meters) long and can weigh more than 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms).

Turtle or tortoise? All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. Tortoises live only on land. This is a Galapagos tortoise.

Information Sources Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia © 1999 The Learning Company, Inc. Scott Foresman Science for Texas, © 2000, Addison- Wesley Educational Publishers Reptiles © 1993 Kidsbooks, Inc. World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 16 © 1992, World Book, Inc.

Photograph sources Utah’s Hogle Zoo; Encarta Encyclopedia, MSN Network r.htm Herpetology/reptiles/snakes/e.hognose_snake.htmlhttp://