Reptiles

=__**Reptiles**__= Videos: __[]__ Lizards have very interesting ways to fend off predators!

[] Crocodiles are becoming endangered. We're their only major predator, and we're killing them off!





Reptile Taxonomy: Kingdom- Animalia Phylum- Chordata Subphylm- Vertebrata Class- Reptilia Orders- Chelonia, Crocodilia, Squamata

Chelonia: Turtles! Protected by a shell Powerful beak and jaws but no teeth Sea turtles have flippers and migrate to lay eggs on land Tortoises Live completely on land

Crocodilia: Crocodiles More time spent in water Slender snout Alligators More time spent on land Broad snout
 * Have powerful jaws and lay eggs in nests on the ground

Squamata: Lizards Monitor Lizard and Kimodo Dragon are the largest Geckos are small, nocturnal; have pads on their feet to walk on walls Poisonous lizards include: Gila Monsters, Beaded Lizards Snakes Most numerous of all reptiles No limbs Hinged jaws to swallow prey whole Constrictors (Boas, pythons, anacondas) Poisonous (Rattle snakes, cobras, vipers) w/ venom that could destroy blood cells or nervous system

CHARACTERISTICS Body structure: Dry skin, scales (protection and water conservation) Legs fully under body for mobility Jacobsen's organ Small holes in roof of mouth where tongue is insterted to pick up scents Body Function Lung- for gas exchange Three chambered heart Ectothermic Reproduction Internal fertilization External development in amniotic egg Several sacs inside a hard shell that nourish the embryo until it hatches Key to reptile success Main reason for successful transition to land

Parts of amniotic egg Yolk Albumin Chorion Eggshell Embryo Amnion Oxygen Air space Carbon dioxide

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