Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrate Class Reptilia

Characteristics of Reptiles Including turtles, lizards, snakes, tuataras, & crocodilians Commonalties Amniotic egg – leathery shelled egg w/yolk sac rich in nutrients Thick scaly skin/watertight Lungs for gas exchange Two-loop circulatory system w/a 4-chambered heart (crocs & gators) 3-chambered for rest. All three types of fertilization present in reptiles

More Characteristics Brains are the same as amphibians w/larger cerebrums. Carnivores and herbivores. Snakes have a Jacobson’s organ which is very sensitive to odors. Reptiles are ectothermic. Thermoregulation Ectotherm – “cold-blooded” absorb heat from surroundings Endotherm – “warm-blooded” generates own body heat

Order Chelonia Turtles-live in or near water Tortoises-live in more dry or arid places All lay eggs-oviparous Migrate to birth place to lay eggs. The only reptiles with shells. The vertebrate and ribs are fused together. Top-carapace Bottom - plastron

Order Crocodilia Crocodiles, alligators, gavials, caimans Largest reptile All are carnivores Shape of jaw distinguishes difference in crocs and gators. Lay eggs in a nest and guard them from predators Live in tropics or subtropics

Order Squamata Lizards and Snakes. Lizards are found everywhere except Antarctica Only 2 venomous species Gila monster and Komodo dragon Snakes have 100-400 vertebrate. Three ways to kill Constrictors-boas, pythons, anacondas Venom-rattlesnakes, cobras, vipers Grabbers- those that just grab with their mouth. http://www.southalley.com/dlizards/skink_blue.JPG

Order Rhynchocephalia Tuataras – “spiny crest” Only surviving species in this order. Found in New Zealand The spiny crest looks like a 3rd eye that contains sensitive light cells. http://www.aotearoa.co.nz/tuatara/real2.jpg

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrate Class Aves

Characteristics of Birds Feathers – unique to birds, essential for flight and insulation Wings – modified forelimbs Lightweight, rigid skeleton of thin hollow bones Endothermic metabolism – high body temp Unique respiratory system – most efficient Beak with no teeth where shape determines diet. Ovoviviparous –amniotic egg with hard shell which requires incubation

Feathers – Modified Scales Three types of feather Down feathers – insulation Contour feathers – streamline shape, coloration, insulation Flight feathers – specialized contour feathers Preening – to put feathers back together again. Molting – losing or shedding feathers

Systems of Birds Digestion – no teeth-crop(stores food)-gizzard(grinds food)-stomach-intestines-anus Respiratory-gas exchange highly efficient Two-loop circulatory system w/4-chambered heart. Large brain for body size with keen vision due to large optic lobes. Birds migrate by a sense of magnetism to help navigate.

BIRD Facts Birds use an egg tooth to hatch out of their egg. Flightless birds include penguin, ostrich & emu. There are 29 orders of birds. The order Passeriformes is the largest. These are song birds.

http://www.naturesound.com/birds/thmbnls/yellwrb.jpg