Class Reptilia Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Reptilia

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Reptilia Order Squamata (lizards & snakes) Order Testudines (turtles & tortoises) Order Crocodilia (alligators & crocodiles) Order Sphenodonta (tuatara)

Characteristics of Reptiles SCALES - Dry, scaly skin prevents loss of moisture and provides protection from predators.

Characteristics of Reptiles EGGS- Reptiles lay amniotic eggs on land. Amniotic eggs enclose the embryo in amniotic fluid, provide a source of food in the yolk, and surround both the embryo and food with a protective, leathery shell. These structures prevent injury and dehydration of the embryo as it develops on land.

Characteristics of Reptiles ECTOTHERMIC (cold-blooded) - Reptiles cannot regulate their body temperatures. Their temperature is dependant on the temperature of their environment.

Characteristics of Reptiles LUNGS - Reptiles have lungs and so they cannot breathe underwater. Since they have dry, scaly skin, they cannot carry out gas exchange through their skin like amphibians.

Characteristics of Reptiles Most reptiles have 3 -chambered hearts. Some reptiles, like alligators and crocodiles, have 4 -chambered hearts. The 4 -chambered hearts separate the oxygen-rich and oxygenpoor blood. This provides more oxygen to the body’s cells, and therefore provides more energy to the animal.

Characteristics of Reptiles have a variety of sense organs that help them to detect danger or food. Some reptiles have heat-sensing organs. Some reptiles can pick up chemical molecules with their tongues and use their Jacobson’s organ to determine what they are sensing.

Order Squamata (lizards and snakes) Komodo dragon

Panther chameleon

Leopard Gecko

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Green Python

Corn snake – a non-aggressive, non-venomous snake that helps keep mice and rat populations under control. (thank you corn snakes!)

Order Testudines (turtles & tortoises) Galapagos Tortoise

Gopher Tortoise

Eastern Box Turtle

Sea Turtle

Order Crocodilia (crocodiles & alligators) American Alligator

Nile crocodile See the baby? --->

Order Sphenodonta Tuatara: an ancient reptile from New Zealand that has teeth fused to the jaws and a very primitive skull. Most other reptiles like it died out over 100 million years ago!