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Questions and Answers
Reptiles are warm-blooded, meaning they regulate their body temperature internally.
Reptiles are warm-blooded, meaning they regulate their body temperature internally.
False
All reptiles have external ear openings.
All reptiles have external ear openings.
False
Tuataras are a type of lizard.
Tuataras are a type of lizard.
False
Some reptiles have venom or toxic secretions as a defense mechanism.
Some reptiles have venom or toxic secretions as a defense mechanism.
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Reptiles have a more complex brain structure than mammals and birds.
Reptiles have a more complex brain structure than mammals and birds.
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All reptiles lay eggs.
All reptiles lay eggs.
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Study Notes
Characteristics
- Cold-blooded: regulate body temperature using external sources
- Scaly skin: prevents water loss and provides protection
- Lay eggs: oviparous
- Respiratory system: lungs or skin breathing
- Brain structure: simpler than mammals and birds
Types of Reptiles
-
Snakes (Squamata)
- No legs or eyelids
- Specialized skin and muscles for movement
- Venomous or constricting predators
-
Lizards (Squamata)
- Legs present
- External ear openings
- Most species are carnivorous
-
Turtles (Testudines)
- Shell: bony plates (scutes) on back and belly
- Flipper-like limbs or webbed feet
- Omnivorous or herbivorous
-
Crocodilians (Crocodilia)
- Large, carnivorous predators
- Armored skin with scutes
- Strong tails for swimming
-
Tuataras (Sphenodontia)
- Only living species: Sphenodon punctatus
- Native to New Zealand
- Triangular head, spiny crest on back
Adaptations and Defense Mechanisms
- Camouflage and color change
- Venom or toxic secretions
- Spines, quills, or armor plating
- Playing dead (thanatosis)
- Sun-basking and thermoregulation
Characteristics of Reptiles
- Reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning they regulate their body temperature using external sources
- They have scaly skin, which prevents water loss and provides protection
- Reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs
- They have a unique respiratory system that uses lungs or skin for breathing
- The brain structure of reptiles is simpler than that of mammals and birds
Types of Reptiles
Snakes
- Snakes have no legs or eyelids
- They have specialized skin and muscles that enable them to move
- Snakes are either venomous or constricting predators
Lizards
- Lizards have legs present
- They have external ear openings
- Most lizard species are carnivorous
Turtles
- Turtles have a shell that is made up of bony plates (scutes) on their back and belly
- They have flipper-like limbs or webbed feet
- Turtles are omnivorous or herbivorous
Crocodilians
- Crocodilians are large, carnivorous predators
- They have armored skin with scutes
- They have strong tails that are used for swimming
Tuataras
- The only living species of tuatara is Sphenodon punctatus
- Tuataras are native to New Zealand
- They have a triangular head and a spiny crest on their back
Adaptations and Defense Mechanisms
- Reptiles use camouflage and color change to adapt to their environment
- They have venom or toxic secretions to defend themselves
- Some reptiles have spines, quills, or armor plating to protect themselves
- Reptiles can play dead (thanatosis) to defend themselves
- They use sun-basking and thermoregulation to regulate their body temperature
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Description
Learn about the key characteristics and types of reptiles, including snakes and lizards. Understand their unique features and adaptations.
