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 ReptilesSCALES - Dry, scaly skin prevents loss of moisture and provides protection from predators.

Characteristics of Reptiles

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.

Amniotic Eggs

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

the temperature of their environment.

Characteristics of ReptilesLUNGS - 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 oxygen-poor blood. This provides more oxygen to the body’s cells, and

therefore provides more energy to the animal.

Characteristics of Reptiles

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.

Reptiles have a variety of sense organs that help them to detect danger or food.

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 SphenodontaTuatara: 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!