“Marine Reptiles & Birds” Chapter 13 “Marine Reptiles & Birds”

13.1 Marine Reptiles Adaptations of Reptiles Possess lungs instead of gills Amniotic egg- contains a large yolk to nourish the embryo and an egg case to prevent it from drying out Fertilization is internal 3 chambered heart (except for crocodilians which have 4) Salt glands- secrete salty tears to get rid of excess salt in their body

Salt water crocodiles Order Crocodilia Found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas American saltwater crocodile lives only in Florida Keys nonagressive/shy Grow up to 5 meters long Endangered (500-1200 left)

Sea Snakes Order Squamata 55 species All are venomous, but not aggressive 1-2 meters in length Flatter body (side to side) than it’s land cousin Paddlelike tail help it swim more efficiently Salt glands in the mouth help get rid of excess salt Nostrils are covered by a flap of tissue that keeps water from entering the lungs during dives

Sea Turtles Order Chelonia 6 species of marine turtles & ALL are endangered: Hawksbill Leatherback Loggerhead Kemp’s ridley Pacific (or olive) ridley Green

Hawksbill

Leatherback

Loggerhead

Kemp’s ridley

Pacific, or Olive Ridley

Green

Feeding in Sea Turtles Most prefer coastal waters where food is plentiful Have no teeth, but strong jaws Sea turtles that eat jellyfish sometimes die when they mistakenly ingest plastic bags

Reproduction & Development Born on land, but spend life at sea Return to the beach they were born to mate and lay eggs Females drag themselves on land, dig a large hole, and lay approx. 100 eggs the size of ping pong balls The eggs are covered and protected by sand After two months the hatchlings dig themselves out of the sand and wiggle down to the ocean

Development (con’t) The sex of a sea turtle is determined by the position & temperature of its egg within the nest 28 degrees Celsius & below= males 30 degrees Celsius & above= females

13.2 Marine Birds Seabirds- birds that depend on the ocean for their survival Nearly 9000 species Class Aves Feathers: Down- small, fluffy feathers that hold in body heat Contour- larger feathers that cover the wings and body, usually used for flight Powder- found in aquatic birds; repel water to protect the down feathers

Adaptations of marine birds Webbed feet for swimming Salt glands to secrete excess salt Conserve water by excreting a concentrated uric acid

Common shorebirds Sandpiper- have a narrow pointed bill for poking in the sand for small invertebrates Oystercatcher- long, red knifelike beak to catch and eat various mollusks; size of a hen

Snowy egret- long flexible neck and pointed bill that allow it to quickly grab small fish that dart around in shallow water; long stiltlike legs give a height advantage in being able to spot fish

Sea ducks- dive into the ocean to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and fish Sea gull- bird most identified with the ocean; scavengers that feed on dead marine animals, crabs at the beach, and garbage at a landfill

Diving Shorebirds Cormorant Common tern Brown pelican

Black skimmer Osprey

Diving Pelagic Birds Seabirds that nest on islands, along coastlines and spend most of their lives at sea Pelagic= open ocean Wandering albatross most oceanic and largest of all seabirds wingspan of 3 meters May spend 3-4 years at sea and rarely stops flying or gliding

Penguins Most aquatic of all seabirds 15 species Have no flight feathers & are completely flightless Swim at speeds of up to 24km per hour Diet of fish, drill, squid, and shellfish Endothermic (warm blooded) and have a thick layer of fat under their skin and densely packed down feathers for insulation They can generate their own body heat which allows them to live in cold regions