Reptiles ESS Unit 7

4 Living Orders Squamata – snakes and lizards Crocodilia – crocodiles and alligators Testudinata – turtles and tortoises Sphenodonta – tuataras

Squamata Lizards – Legs with clawed toes – Moveable eyelids – Moveable lower jaw (hinged) – Tympanic membranes – Examples: Iguanas and geckos Snakes – Legless – Shorter tails – Lack movable eyelids – Moveable lower jaw (hinged) – Some venomous/ some constrictors – Examples: Rattlesnakes and Boas

Crocodilia Four chambered heart – Which allows for quicker movement, stronger muscles Examples – Crocodiles Long /Narrow snout Sharp teeth – Teeth very similar to dinosaurs and early birds Powerful jaws – Alligators Wider snout Upper jaw wider than lower jaw

Testudinata Protective Shell – Upper (dorsal) part is called carapace – Lower (ventral) part is called plastron Most turtles have ribs and vertebrae fused to dorsal shell Some aquatic (turtles)/ some land (tortoises) No teeth – sharp beak

Tuataras Large and lizard-like Found only on islands off the coast of New Zealand Spiny crest down back Third eye on top of head (covered w/scales but can sense light) Distinctive teeth – 2 rows on top, 1 on bottom 2 species