Reptiles Ms. Bridgeland

Introduction to Reptiles

What are Reptiles? Ectotherms : What is an ectotherm again?

Reptiles Ectotherm: an animal whose body does not produce much internal heat “Cold-blooded”

Are reptiles vertebrates or invertebrates? Reptiles are Vertebrates that have lungs and scaly skin.

How do reptiles get their air? Reptiles get their oxygen from air and breathe entirely with lungs

Reptile Evolution Even through some reptiles that live in water like sea turtles can swim, they evolved from reptiles that lived on land. Therefore, even though they live in water, they still breathe with lungs, and come ashore to lay eggs.

To thrive on land, what adaptations do reptiles need?

Adaptations Dry, tough skin Covered in scales Kidneys (organs that filter waste) are different in that the reptile does not lose too much water Lay eggs with shells

Why does having tough skin with scales help animals live on land?

Scaly Skin Benefits Protects the reptiles Helps conserve water, or keep it inside their bodies to help with living in the sun

An Egg with a Shell Reptiles lay their eggs on land Reptile eggs have a leathery shell and membranes that protect the developing embryo (baby reptile). Why do reptile eggs have these shells?

Why do reptiles lay eggs with shells? The shells keep the inside of the egg moist and keeps the egg from drying out This type of egg is called an amniotic egg. Tiny pores in the shell allow oxygen gas and carbon dioxide gas out

In addition to a shell, an amniotic egg has 3 membranes Membrane 1: holds the yolk, which is the embryo’s energy supply Membrane 2: the embryo’s wastes collect inside Membrane 3: surrounds the embryo, cushioning it and keeping it moist