Family Cheloniidae Sea turtles

Characteristics – Sea Turtles Class Reptilia – Order Testudines 6 out of 7 species have a hard outer carapace All sea turtles have evolved for the marine environment Dorsoventrally flattened (aquadynamics) Paddle-like arms and legs for swimming Breath air, but are capable of anaerobic respiration Most species are endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle Herbivorous and omnivorous After hatching on on beaches all turtles find their way to pelagic zones where they float in beds of sea weeds, after three to five years they return to the continental shelf at which they were born.

Chelonia mydas – Green Sea Turtle Among the largest sea turtles Up to 700 lbs. ~6 ft. in length Live upwards of 80 years Herbivorous adults – Sea grasses and algae Thought to be responsible for their greenish fat from which their name is derived Tropic and sub-tropic marine environments Circumglobal Endangered due to human activity Hunting Fishing Chemical pollution Habitat destruction

Family Corytophanidae Casquehead lizards

Characteristics - Casquehead lizards Class Reptilia – Suborder Lacertilia Moderately sized lizards Found in forests from Mexico to Ecuador Laterally compressed bodies Well developed crests Used in defensive displays Lateral side faces threat in order to appear larger Unlike relatives their tails are unable to break off Essential as a counter balance for a specific type of movement

Basiliscus vittatus – Brown/Striped Basilisk Tropical and subtropical wet, moist, and dry forests Panama, Belize, Columbia, and Costa Rica Can reach up to 61 cm in length Three crests along head, body, and tail Usually brown with black stripes Primarily feed on insects Sometimes referred to as the “Jesus Lizards” Can run 10-20 meters across the surface of water Younger/smaller basilisks can run further and farther than older/larger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpXHpXKZt ws Female Male