1. Class Reptilia Turtles, Tortoises, Tuataras, Crocodilians, Lizards, and Snakes

2. Classification Domain Eukarya Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata – Subphylum Vertebrata Class Reptilia – Order Chelonia – Order Crocodilia – Order Squamata – Order Rhynchocephalia

3. Order Chelonia Turtles and Tortoises – Earliest fossils dated to 200 m.y.a – Shell consists of fused boney plates Carapace (Dorsal, top) Plastron (Ventral, lower) – 250 species worldwide – Variety of habitats

4. Most species ribs and spine fused to inner surface of carapace Pelvic and Pectoral girdles lie within the ribs Sharp beak instead of teeth

5. Shell and limbs reflect habitat

6. Turtles Marine or freshwater Stream – lined shells Webbing between toes Terrapin refers to small aquatic or semi – aquatic other than sea turtles

7. Tortoises Heavy domed shell Retract limbs and head Limbs sturdy with scales Clubbed walking feet

8. Order Crocodilia Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans, Gavial

9. Order Crocodilia Most closely related to dinosaurs Heavy bodied, mostly aquatic Carnivorous

10. Order Squamata Lizards and Snakes – Upper jaw is loosely joined to the skull – Jacobson’s organ

11. Lizards Only 2 species venomous – Gila Monster – Bearded Lizard Autotomy

13. Snakes Backbone of 100 – 400 vertebrates – Pair of ribs attached to each vertebra Seize and swallow prey Constrictors Venom – Fangs back of mouth – Elapid, inject poison through fixed fangs in front – Vipers, inject venom using large mobile fangs

15. Order Rhynchocephalia Ancient order inhabit few small islands of New Zealand 24 inches in length Spiny crest that runs down the animal’s back Tolerate cool temp, burrow during day and hunt at night