Class REPTILIA
- Body varied in shape, covered with horny epidermal scales, sometimes with dermal plates; integument with few glands.
- Paired limbs, usually with five toes with claws, adapted for climbing, running or paddling; limbs absent in snakes and...
- Skeleton well ossified; ribs with sternum except in snakes, forming a complete thoracic basket; skull with single...
- Ectothermic animals.
What is the classification of reptiles?
Classification of Reptiles. Scientist classifies the reptiles present in the world into four main groups known as orders. The four groups are as follows: The large reptiles such as crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials belong to the order Crocodilia.
What is the meaning of the word “reptile”?
Reptiles are animals in the class Reptilia. Unlike most amphibians, reptiles evolved the ability to complete their life cycle away from water, giving them an advantage that allowed them to thrive in a wider range of habitats. All reptiles are vertebrates that breathe air with lungs.
Is a bird a reptile?
Unlike most previous definitions of Reptilia, however, Modesto and Anderson's definition includes birds, as they are within the clade that includes both lizards and crocodiles. General classification of extinct and living reptiles, focusing on major groups.
What are the characteristics of terrestrial reptiles?
The terrestrial reptiles such as lizards and snakes belong to Squamata order. The members of this species have the ability to creep with the help of their abdomen. The turtle and tortoise creatures belong to the Testudines order. These species have bony shell with horny plates for their protection.
What are 5 characteristics of Reptilia?
Top 5 Characteristics of Reptilesof 05. Reptiles Are Four-Legged Vertebrate Animals. ... of 05. Most Reptiles Lay Eggs. ... of 05. The Skin of Reptiles Is Covered With Scales (or Scutes) ... of 05. Reptiles Have Cold-Blooded Metabolisms. ... of 05. Reptiles Breathe With the Aid of Lungs.
What are the 7 characteristics of reptiles?
Traits of Reptiles and AmphibiansReptiles are vertebrates. They have backbones.Their bodies are completely covered with scales.They are cold-blooded.Reptiles produce shelled eggs or bear live young.All species fertilize eggs internally.All species of reptiles have at least one lung.
What are the 4 orders of reptiles?
Class Reptilia is made up of four orders: Squamata, Testudines, Crocodilia and Rhynchocephalia. Each order is further divided into sub-orders, families, genera and species.
Do snakes count as reptiles?
Snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodilians, and birds are reptiles. Like all vertebrates, reptiles have bony skeletons that support their bodies. Scales help prevent reptiles from losing water through their skin. The leathery or hard shells on their eggs protect the young from drying out while they grow inside the egg.
Is an alligator a reptile?
Some examples of reptiles are turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, and crocodiles. Amphibian An ectothermic vertebrate which lives a double life, metamorphosing from a larval stage to the adult stage. Frogs, toads, salamanders. Autotomy The ability of some lizards to break off their tail to distract predators.
Is a frog a reptile?
Amphibians are frogs, toads, newts and salamanders. Most amphibians have complex life cycles with time on land and in the water. Their skin must stay moist to absorb oxygen and therefore lacks scales. Reptiles are turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators and crocodiles.
Why is a frog not a reptile?
Frogs are amphibians. They spend time on land, but in their larval stage, as tadpoles, they live in water. Snakes, on the other hand, are reptiles. Some snakes, like the northern water snake, live in water, but not all snakes do.
Are turtles animals or reptiles?
reptilesTurtles are reptiles of the order Testudines that have bodies encased in bony shells. There are more than 350 species of turtles.
What are 6 types of reptiles?
Lepidosauria (lepidosaurs) Rhynchocephalia (tuatara and relatives) Squamata (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenians)Archelosauria. Testudines (turtles) Archosauria (archosaurs) Crocodilia (crocodilians) Aves (birds)
Is Snail a reptile?
Is A Snail An Insect Or A Reptile. No, a snail is a type of mollusk. A mollusk is an invertebrate animal (one without a backbone) with a soft body usually enclosed in a shell. Clams, squid, and mussels are examples of mollusks.
Is a spider a reptile?
Spiders are not reptiles. First of all, spiders aren't vertebrate animals; they have no backbone, so they're called 'invertebrates.
Is a dinosaur a reptile?
Dinosaurs are archosaurs, a larger group of reptiles that first appeared about 251 million years ago, near the start of the Triassic Period. Some other non-dinosaur reptiles are also archosaurs, including pterosaurs (the now-extinct flying reptiles) and modern crocodiles and their ancestors.
What are 7 main characteristics of amphibians?
The 7 Amphibian Characteristics – ListedExternal egg fertilization. When it comes to reproduction, amphibians don't require mating before they release clear eggs with a jelly-like texture. ... Grows 4 legs as an adult. ... Cold-blooded. ... Carnivorous appetite. ... Primitive lungs. ... Lives on water and land. ... Vertebrates.
What are 6 types of reptiles?
Lepidosauria (lepidosaurs) Rhynchocephalia (tuatara and relatives) Squamata (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenians)Archelosauria. Testudines (turtles) Archosauria (archosaurs) Crocodilia (crocodilians) Aves (birds)
Which of these are characteristics of reptiles?
What Are the Characteristics of Reptiles?Reptiles Have Scales or Scutes.Reptiles Are Vertebrates. ... Reptiles Breathe Through Lungs. ... Reptiles Typically Have Four Legs. ... Reptiles Are Cold-Blooded (Ectohtermic) ... Reptiles Are Oviparous (Egg Laying) ...
What are the seven characteristics of mammals?
Characteristics of MammalsThe presence of hair or fur.Sweat glands.Glands specialized to produce milk, known as mammary glands.Three middle ear bones.A neocortex region in the brain, which specializes in seeing and hearing.Specialized teeth.A four-chambered heart.
What are the four clades of reptiles?
Class Reptilia includes many diverse species that are classified into four living clades.Reptilia includes four living clades: Crocodilia (crocodiles and alligators), Sphenodontia (tuataras), Squamata (lizards and snakes), and Testudines (turtles).
How are lizards and snakes related?
Lizards and snakes are most closely related to tuataras, both groups having evolved from a lepidosaurian ancestor. Squamata is the largest extant clade of reptiles. Most lizards differ from snakes by having four limbs, although these have often been lost or significantly reduced in at least 60 lineages.
What is a tuatara?
The common name “tuatara” comes from a Maori word describing the crest along its back. Tuataras have a primitive diapsid skull with biconcave vertebrae. They measure up to 80 centimeters and weigh about 1 kilogram. Although superficially similar to an iguanid lizard, several unique features of the skull and jaws clearly define them and distinguish this group from the Squamata. They have no external ears. Tuataras briefly have a third (parietal) eye—with a lens, retina, and cornea—in the middle of the forehead. The eye is visible only in very young animals; it is soon covered with skin. Parietal eyes can sense light, but have limited color discrimination. Similar light-sensing structures are also seen in some other lizards. In their jaws, tuataras have two rows of teeth in the upper jaw that bracket a single row of teeth in the lower jaw. These teeth are actually projections from the jawbones, and are not replaced as they wear down.
How many species of Crocodilia are there?
These are the 25 species of Crocodilia, 2 species of Sphenodontia, approximately 9,200 Squamata species, and the Testudines, with about 325 species.
What is a predatory lizard?
Some predatory lizards are ambush predators, waiting quietly until their prey is close enough for a quick grab. Others are patient foragers, moving slowly through their environment to detect possible prey. Lizard tongues are long and sticky and can be extended at high speed for capturing insects or other small prey.
How fast can a crocodile go?
Galloping crocodiles have been clocked at speeds over 17 kph and, over short distances, in an ambush situation, they can easily chase down most humans if they are taken by surprise.
What is the name of the snake that eats large prey?
The garter snake belongs to the genus Thamnophis, the most widely distributed reptile genus in North America. (credit: Steve Jurvetson) Specialized features of the jaw are related to adaptations for feeding that have evolved to feed on relatively large prey (even though some current species have reversed this trend).
What are the three groups of reptiles?
The major group of living reptiles are turtles, Tuatara, Squamata, and a crocodilian. Reptiles is a word derived from Latin, in which reptiles meaning is “one who creeps”. The study of traditional reptile orders is known as herpetology.
What are some examples of reptiles?
Some of the examples of reptiles are lizards, Turtles, Snakes, Chameleons, Dinosaurs, Crocodiles, Scaled reptiles, Geckos, Skink, Sauria, Diapsid, Plesiosauria and also there are many other examples of reptiles.
What is the largest reptile?
This type of reptiles mainly consists of lizards and snakes. It is one of the largest order of reptiles also known as scaled reptiles. It is one of the most varied order of reptiles in size ranging from 16 mm (dwarf gecko) to 5.1m (green anaconda) and now a new extinct species called mosasaurs, which reached a length of 14m.
What is the name of the reptile that has a long flattened snout?
The Crocodilian. In this type of reptile, we mainly discuss crocodiles and alligators. It is mostly large, predatory, and semi-aquatic animals. The body of a crocodilian is large, solidly built, lizard-like reptiles and they have long flattened snouts.
How many atria does a reptile have?
Most of the reptiles have a three-chambered heart, that has two atria and one partially divided ventricle. Despite the fact, the ventricle is partially divided, there will be little mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the three-chambered heart.
How long do reptiles live?
Other species such as loggerhead sea turtles are a long-living species, which requires almost 25 years to get matured and they have a lifespan of 50 years. There are many unimaginable adaptations made by reptiles. Some of them have mentioned that Some reptiles lay eggs, whereas others are live-bearers. Some of the reptiles lay 1 or 2 eggs, whereas other reptiles lay 100 or more eggs in each nesting event. Some reptiles nest throughout the year, while others may nest once a year or allow two or more years between breeding cycles.
How to identify reptiles?
Answer. Going through the characteristics of reptiles we can identify them If the animal's skin is hard and scaly with skutes or bony plates. And if you have a closer look at the skin and found that, it is rough and dry skin. To be more specific we have considered more characteristics to identify the reptile.
What are reptiles made of?
Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates covered in special skin made up of scales, bony plates, or a combination of both. They include crocodiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, and tor- toises. All regularly shed the outer layer of their skin. Their metabolism depends on the temperature of their environment.
How long did reptiles live?
Reptiles first appear in the fossil record 315 million years ago and were the dominant animals during the Mesozoic era, which lasted for 270 million years until the extinction of the dinosaurs. From the National Geographic book, Animal Encyclopedia, 2012.
Why are reptiles cold blooded?
Because of their slow metabolism and heat-seeking behavior, reptiles are cold-blooded. Reptile reproduction also depends on temperature. Only boas and pythons give birth to live young. The other species lay their eggs in a simple nest, and leave. The young hatch days to months later.
Do reptiles have a constant internal temperature?
Their metabolism depends on the temperature of their environment. Unlike birds and mammals, reptiles do not maintain a constant internal body temperature. Without fur or feathers for insulation, they cannot stay warm on a cold day, and without sweat glands or the ability to pant, they cannot cool off on a hot one.
What is the most diverse reptile?
Arguably, lizards are the most incredibly diverse creatures of the reptile world. Having developed a wide range of specialized skills (from their prehensile tails to their food-catching tongues), modern lizards are a marvel to behold.
Why are reptiles so difficult to classify?
Reptiles can be quite challenging to classify. There are two main reasons for this — scientific disagreement and scientific advancement. Actually, these two things are closely related, as they pertain to reptile classification and species names.
What is the order of crocodiles?
The crocodilia order of reptiles includes crocodiles, gharials, caimans and alligators. The range of this species includes North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Currently, there are 23 known species within this order of reptiles.
What is the classification of reptiles?
Reptiles fall under the larger classification amniota. This includes all mammals that have an amniotic egg, which are mammals, reptiles, and extinct animals that were closely related to reptiles and mammals. Amniotes are separated from amphibians because amphibians do not have an amniotic egg. Thus, mammals and reptiles had a closer ancestor than reptiles and amphibians. Mammals are synapsids, and thus are not considered reptiles.
What is the most unusual reptile?
Our current understanding is that they are most closely related to crocodiles and birds . Turtles have a shell composed of a plastron and a carapace, which protects them from the external environment. Their shell is not removable and is fused to their ribcage.
How are reptiles and amphibians alike?
Reptiles and amphibians may look similar, but they are quite different. Reptiles typically have some type of keratinized structure to their skin. This may be feathers or scales, which offer them protection from the external environments. Amphibians have thin skin, which allows them to exchange materials with their environments. Many amphibians don't drink water, but instead absorb it through their skin. Similarly, most amphibians have some form of gas exchange that can be completed through their skin.
How do reptiles reproduce?
Most reptiles reproduce by oviparity. This means that they lay an egg which will eventually hatch into a juvenile animal. However, some reptiles give birth to live young. This method is called ovoviviparity, and it is when a mother produces eggs, but the eggs develop within the body and hatch there. After hatching, the young are then born live through the mother's cloaca. This is slightly different than viviparity, which is seen in most mammals. In viviparity, the embryo does not develop within an egg, but is instead sustained via a placenta.
Characteristics of Reptiles
Life Cycle and Life History of Reptiles
The Circulatory System of Reptiles
The Respiratory System of Reptiles
- The turtles, terrapins, and tortoises are members of the clade Testudines (“having a shell”) (Figure 5), and are characterized by a bony or cartilaginous shell. The shell in turtles is not just an epidermal covering, but is incorporated into the skeletal system. The dorsal shell is called the carapace and includes the backbone and ribs; the ventral...
The Excretory Systemof Reptiles
- Some of the general characteristics of reptiles are given below - 1. All reptiles lay their egg on land, including aquatic ones. 2. They reproduce sexually through internal fertilization, in which some of them lay eggs and some of them give birth to the young ones. 3. Reptiles have developed impermeable and scaly skin. They moved to the land becaus...
General Features of The Reptiles
- The life histories of reptiles are very diverse and amazingly wide, It often reveals nearly unbelievable reproductive adaptations. Some of the reptiles are the annual species, which hatch, mature, reproduce, and die annually or at most in two years (side-blotched lizards). Other species such as loggerhead sea turtles are a long-living species, which requires almost 25 years to get …
Interesting Fun Facts About Reptiles
- Most of the reptiles have a three-chambered heart, that has two atria and one partially divided ventricle. Despite the fact, the ventricle is partially divided, there will be little mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the three-chambered heart. Such type of mixings is controlled by the valves of the heart and the movement of the ventricle walls. The blood flow in the reptiles can b…