Reptile Wild Discover Zone

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Summary: Educators will lead observation and discussion about the different types (orders) of reptiles and what they have in common and also what makes them different from each other. Discussion can lead to dispelling prejudices and fears of reptiles and understanding the positive impact they have on their environment

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Objectives: Understand that there are different groups (orders) of reptiles that share common characteristics. Understand that each of the groups (orders) of reptiles is also different from each other through different characteristics. Participate in a discussion about why reptiles are important to the health of their ecosystem.

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Objective: Common Characteristics of Reptiles (slides 4- 21) A variety of body shapes that are covered with scales and plates for protection against desiccation and injury. Most have paired limbs with five toes except snakes.

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Common Characteristics of Reptiles All reptiles are ectothermic. Respiration with lungs, reptiles do not have gills like the larval stage of amphibians

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Characteristics of Reptiles: The Orders There are four different orders of reptiles, each one is unique…. The snakes and lizards The turtles and tortoises The crocodilians The tuatara

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Order: The Snakes and Lizards The snakes and lizards comprise approximately 95 % of all living reptiles. Lizards are am extremely diverse group including terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal burrowing and even aerial members.

The differences in snakes and lizards No legs No external ears No eyelids Usually have legs, but not all Have external ears Have eyelids

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Order: Snakes and Lizards The snakes have two specializations that characterize them..an extreme elongation of a legless body and the ability to eat large prey.

Serpentine body plan, the unique morphology of snakes Lengthened by extra vertebrate Internal organs are modified to allow for such a narrow body plan Rapid locomotion with three types of crawling, rectilinear, undulation or side winding

Sensory Perception in Snakes Flicking their forked tongue collects chemical molecules that are brought into the mouth and are inserted into the Jacobson’s organ on the roof of the mouth. This organ analyzes the chemical signals

The Lizards Lizards have radiated into a wide variety of habitats and display an array of behavioral, morphological and physiological adaptations. Keen eyesight (diurnal activity) Water conserving organs (can inhabit deserts) Most with legs, some without Several venomous species Behavioral thermoregulation

The Lizards Versatile tongue for sensory perception with Jacobson’s organ, for catching food or as a warning to would be predators Locomotion usually on land with developed legs. Lizards can also climb well and many species are arboreal or tree dwelling. Defense through speed, tail shedding, intimidation and/or camouflage. Tail can be voluntarily shed to escape attack. Can regenerate but at a cost in energy, fat storage and even reproduction

Turtles and Tortoises Turtles evolved longs before there were mammals, birds, lizards or snakes, over 200 million years ago.

Characteristics of Testudines Lacking teeth, a pronounced keratin- made beak is adapted to tear and hold food. Testudines have a varied diet Omnivorous….box turtle Herbivorous…many tortoise species Carnivorous…many aquatic species

Characteristics of Turtles Limbs are modified to suit the habitat and behavior of species. Aquatic animals have flattened paddle-like feet for swimming. Land dwelling animals often have elephantine feet for walking on substrate.

Characteristics of Turtles and Tortoises Their unique shell appeared very early. The top is called the carapace and the bottom is the plastron. The dorsal bony carapace (shell) is to protect the species from potential predators but it also helps the turtle buffer tough environmental conditions

Crocodiles, Alligators and Relatives Complete separation of arterial and venous blood True cerebral cortex “Third” eyelid as in birds Position of nostrils and ears that close when submerged

Crocodilia…Crocodiles, Alligators and Relatives Large compressed tail for swimming Modified appendages Complex behaviors such as parental care and communication

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Order: Tuatara The tuatara is a very primitive species with physical characteristics that resemble fossils over 200 million years old. There is only one species

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Order: Tuatara The tuatara has a unique “third” eye The tuatara is Native to only a few islands near New Zealand

Reptile Wild Discover Zone The ecological importance of reptiles Reptiles are important components of the food webs in most ecosystems. They fill a critical role both as predator and prey species.   Herbivorous species (plant eating) can be important seed dispersers, particularly on island habitats. They are also known to act as pollinators.

Reptile Wild Discover Zone The ecological importance of reptiles Removal of any species from its ecosystem can drastically alter the populations of other organisms, but those that have a particularly influential role within an ecosystem are known as keystone species. Top predators, such as the crocodile, are often keystone species, though they also contribute to the food chain as prey while they are still young. Some species are considered critical for the way they modify their habitat. American alligators living in the everglades dig “gator holes”, which are often the only aquatic habitat left during the dry season, providing important refuge for many species of fish, turtle and other aquatic species, as well as a source of water for birds, terrestrial animals and plants.

Reptile Wild Discover Zone The ecological importance of reptiles Reptile species can also have a useful anthropogenic role in ecosystems. In some areas, they help control the numbers of serious agricultural pests by consuming rodent and insect pests.

Reptile Wild Discover Zone A poster showing the “serpentine body plan”, the anatomy of a snake

Reptile Wild Discover Zone A poster showing the four orders of the class of reptiles: The snakes and lizards The turtles and tortoises The crocodilians The tuataras

Reptile Wild Discover Zone A shell of an Eastern box turtle. This is a real shell that was given to the Zoo many years ago from an animal that died of natural causes

Reptile Wild Discover Zone An acrylic reproduction of a lizard skeleton, not sure what species was the original cast from

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Snake skin sheds and an acrylic mounted snake skeleton. The sheds get tattered and are replaced when necessary. The skeleton is artificial, it is made of a composite material

Reptile Wild Discover Zone Questions?