Reptiles Advanced Life Science Rainier Jr/Sr High School Mr. Taylor

Reptiles Kingdom Animalia –Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata –Class Reptilia

Reptile Characteristics 1.Strong, bony skeleton with toes and claws. Claws allow for climbing, digging, prey capture, etc. 2.Ectothermic metabolism "cold-blooded" limits geographic distribution and activity (many hibernate).

Reptile Characteristics 3.Dry, scaly skin. waterproof allows for completely terrestrial lifestyle. 4.Improved lungs No cutaneous respiration, still need much O 2 for land-based activities Have alveoli (air sacs) surrounded by numerous capillaries

Reptile Characteristics 5.AMNIOTIC EGG!!! (A "land egg") Amnion is a waterproof membrane that the embryo is enclosed in…a "sea within a shell" Allantois: stores wastes from the embryo Yolk and albumen: feeds the embryo Chorion: provides O 2 /CO 2 exchange. TThis is the adaptation that truly freed reptiles from water and allowed them to radiate into drier terrestrial biomes.

Reptile Characteristics 6.Cardiovascular system (heart) Ventricle (pumping chamber) either partly divided or completely divided by a septum Gives increased to complete separation of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood in the body Result is improved oxygen delivery to the tissues 7.Internal fertilization Oviparous or ovoviviparous Born looking like parents and "ready to roll"

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Lizards and snakes Have a hinged jaw Periodically molt skin

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Family Gekkonidae: the geckos Excellent climbers due to "velcro" feet Easily lose tails (escape strategy) Western Banded Gecko

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Family Iguanidae: the iguanas Most North American lizards in this group Live in all biomes Western Fence Lizard

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Family Scincidae: the skinks Slim bodies with shiny, cycloid scales Limbs are small (may even be absent) Western Skink

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Family Anguidae: the alligator lizards Have a lateral fold of skin: allows for respiration, eggs, etc. Long bodies, short limbs Many lose tails easily Northwestern Alligator Lizard

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –F–Family Colubridae: the colubrids The most common type of snake in N. America No hollow fangs, only a few are poisonous, not dangerous in our area California Mountain Kingsnake

Order Squamata –Family Colubridae: the colubrids Northwest Garter Snake

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Family Elapidae: the Coral Snakes This family includes cobras, mambas, and coral snakes Highly dangerous neurotoxin Non-moveable hollow fangs looks a lot like the harmless California Mountain Kingsnake Texas Coral Snake a dangerous snake

Orders of Reptiles Order Squamata –Family Viperidae: pit vipers Rattlesnakes, cotton- mouths, and copperheads Have moveable fangs Inject hematoxin mix Cottonmouth Western Diamondback Rattler Copperhead

Orders of Reptiles Order Chelonia (old name Testudines) –T–Turtles and Tortoises Have a protective shell –C–Carapace is the top –P–Plastron is the bottom Tortoise shell is dome shaped-land dwelling Turtle shell is streamlined-water dwelling

Order Chelonia (old name Testudines)

Orders of Reptiles Order Crocodylia –Crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gavials Exhibit good parental care (including after hatching) Have a 4 chambered heart! resulting in maximum oxygen delivery to tissues Eyes and nostrils located "above the waterline" allows them to stay almost completely submerged while hunting

Orders of Reptiles Order Crocodylia –Crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gavials Have cardiac and respiratory adaptations that allow them to take prey underwater for death and dismemberment. Have an adaptation in their hips that also is seen in birds and mammals (possible common ancestor) and allows bipedal movement. Alligators have U-shaped snout Crocodiles have narrow snout with lower "fangs" showing

Orders of Reptiles Order Crocodylia

Orders of Reptiles Order Sphenodontida –Tuataras Found only in New Zealand An ancient order of reptiles Nocturnal, active at lower temperatures Slow reproducers –May only incubate 6-10 eggs every 2-5 years –Don't reach sexual maturity until years old Very endangered due to loss of habitat to non- native species (and man)

Orders of Reptiles Order Sphenodontida