Questions and Answers
What does the class Reptilia include?
What does Reptilia mean?
to creep
What is the study of amphibians and reptiles called?
Herpetology
Reptiles were the first completely _____ animals.
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What are most reptiles called based on their four legs?
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What term describes reptiles that lay eggs?
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What do we call reptiles that give birth to live young?
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Reptile embryos develop in a _____ waterproof amniotic egg.
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How do reptiles breathe?
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What is the outer layer of reptilian skin made of?
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What is the process of molting or shedding skin called?
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Snakes, lizards, and turtles have a _____ chambered heart.
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Crocodilians have a _____ chambered heart.
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What is the common opening for digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts called?
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What is the most sensitive sense of reptiles?
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What do snakes feel in the ground?
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What sensory organs do snakes use to detect odors?
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Reptiles' ideal temperature for digestion is _____ degrees F.
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How do reptiles reproduce?
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What is asexual reproduction in reptiles called?
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What determines the sex of certain reptiles, such as some turtles and lizards?
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What does Order Rhynchocephalia include?
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Where can tuataras be found?
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What does Order Squamata include?
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What does the term Squamata mean?
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What are snakes considered to be descendants of?
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What will lizards drop when threatened?
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What contains cartilage but not bone when a lizard regrows a tail?
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What is a venomous lizard known as?
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What is the largest lizard species?
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What is the smallest lizard species?
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What is the longest living lizard?
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What feature do all snakes and some lizards share in their tongue?
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What allows snake jaws to open at a 150-degree angle?
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What are pit vipers known for?
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What do all venomous snakes possess?
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What are the characteristics of non-venomous snakes?
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What are the characteristics of venomous snakes?
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What is antivenom used for?
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How are honey badgers and mongooses related to snakes?
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What are constrictors?
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What is the largest snake species?
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What are the venomous snakes of Mississippi?
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What does Order Testudinata include?
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What is the shell covering the back of a turtle called?
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Study Notes
Overview of Class Reptilia
- Class Reptilia includes turtles, tortoises, lizards, snakes, crocodiles, alligators, and tuataras.
- Reptilia derives from the Latin word meaning "to creep."
- Reptiles are the first completely terrestrial vertebrates.
Reproductive Strategies
- Oviparous reptiles lay eggs; viviparous species, like local poisonous snakes, give birth to live young.
- Reptiles utilize internal fertilization for reproduction.
- Parthenogenesis allows females to produce offspring from unfertilized eggs.
- Temperature-dependent sex determination is observed in crocodiles, some turtles, and lizards.
Anatomy and Physiology
- Reptiles breathe through lungs and have a tough, dry, waterproof skin made of scales (or scutes).
- Snakes, lizards, and turtles possess a three-chambered heart, while crocodilians have a four-chambered heart.
- Cloaca serves as a common opening for digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts.
- Reptilian embryos develop in leathery, waterproof amniotic eggs.
Sensory Abilities
- The most sensitive sense in reptiles is vision; snakes detect vibrations through the ground.
- Snake tongues are forked, allowing better sense of smell; Jacobson's organs process odor molecules.
Adaptations and Behavior
- Many lizards can drop their tails when threatened, and regrown tails contain cartilage instead of bone.
- Scaly skin provides protective functions and reduces water loss.
- Venomous snakes have distinct features: triangular head shape, vertical pupils, fangs, and often vibrant coloration.
Orders and Distinctions
- Order Rhynchocephalia includes the rare tuatara.
- Order Squamata consists of lizards and snakes; lizards are considered ancestral to snakes.
- Order Testudinata encompasses turtles and tortoises.
Notable Reptile Species
- Gila monster is a venomous lizard; Komodo dragon is the largest lizard.
- Various snake characteristics help differentiate venomous from non-venomous types, such as head shape and pupil form.
- Common venomous snakes in Mississippi include copperhead, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, diamondback rattlesnake, cottonmouth, and coral snake.
Antivenom and Venom
- Antivenom is used to counteract the poisonous effects of snake venom.
- Certain animals, like the honey badger and mongoose, exhibit immunity to snake venom.
Key Facts
- Ideal temperature for reptilian digestion is approximately 85°F.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Class Reptilia with this flashcard review! Covering key terms and definitions related to reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and the study of herpetology, this quiz will help reinforce your understanding of this fascinating class. Perfect for Zoology II students.