Animals that have dry scaly skin and are 'cold-blooded' vertebrates are called reptiles. The major way reptiles differ from mammals and birds is that they are 'cold-blooded'. This does not mean that they necessarily have cold blood but rather that they cannot regulate their own body temperature. Due to this they are generally found through out the warmer regions of the world although a few have adapted to quite cold areas (even where it snows)! Most reptiles though are found in the tropics. The majority of reptile groups also live on land, although there are a few that have specialized to live in water. Reptiles can only breathe air and do not possess gills. They have thick waterproof skins to retain their body moisture.
Most reptiles lay eggs (oviparous), however there are a few species that incubate and hatch their eggs internally (ovoviviparous). Reptile eggs contain a large quantity of yolk to nourish the embryo, and they have a porous shell. Most reptiles are carnivorous.
Our Reptiles Venomous Snakes, Lizards, Tortoises and Turtles, Crocodilians, Boas and Pythons, Reptile Facts -
Crocodilians Crocodilian species throughout the world utilise one of two methods of nesting; hole nesting or mound nesting. |