Animals Chapter 3 Section 4 Reptiles
Protection from Drying Out ► A reptile is an ectothermic vertebrate that has lungs & scaly skin ► Can spend entire life on land ► The eggs, skin, & kidneys are adapted to conserve water ► The eggs of reptiles are fertilized internally ► The reptile’s egg has a shell & membranes that protect the dev embryo & keep from drying out
Protection Continued ► Membrane’s in egg serve several purposes ► Liquid serves as a bubble wrap to protect ► Keeps embryo moist ► Holds yolk which provides food for its cells to grow ► Scaly skin protects reptiles & helps keep water in the bodies. ► Kidneys filter wastes in the blood ► Urine concentrated so there is little water loss
Obtaining O from the Air ► Most reptiles breath with their lungs ► 2 loops in which blood circulates thru their bodies ► Most reptiles are either lizards or snakes ► Both are disgusting ► Most snakes only have one lung The reason is that snakes used to smoke and have lost a lung thru evolution
More Facts ► Snakes are carnivores ► Turtles have strong protective coverings or shells ► Some are carnivores and others herbivores ► Alligators & crocodiles are the largest reptiles Crocs have pointed snouts; alligators rounded
Extinct Reptiles the Dinosaurs ► What caused their demise? Meteorite? ► Huge clouds of dust Weather change? Did they, like snakes, take up smoking?