2. Class Reptilia
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Reptilia
2 Important adaptations to live out of water for their entire life
Amniotic Eggs
More efficient respiratory system
Gekko gecko
Tokay Gecko
3. General Characteristics
Have lungs
Dry, scaly skin
Special shelled egg
– Yolk for nutrition
– Typically laid on land
Fully terrestrial life
Ectothermic
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus
Six-Lined Racerunner
6. Reptile Characteristics
Brain is arranged in the
same pattern as
amphibians.
– Larger cerebrum and
cerebellum
Reproduction
– Internal fertilization
– Lay Eggs
– Hatchlings resemble
adults
– Male & female have
cloaca
– Shelled egg with yolk for
nutrition
8. Order Rhynchocephalia
Tuatara –
– Only surviving member of the
order Rhynchocephalia.
– 3 surviving species
Teeth formed by serrations of
jawbone.
Found only in New Zealand
Carnivorous.
Retained features of ancient
reptiles.
Nocturnal.
Pineal Gland – detects
changes in day length.
Sphenedon punctatus
10. Lizards
– From 3cm to 3m
– Many adaptations
– Gila monster
• venom
– Komodo dragon
• Very large
• Kills large animals
Varanidae,
monitor lizard family,
which today has but one genus,
Varanus
Gila monster
Heloderma suspectum
11. Snakes
– From earthworm size to
10m
– No legs
– Well adapted
• Long slender body
• Long slender organs
– Some venomous
Ball Python
Just laid 9 eggs
12. Order Crocodilian
Among the largest living
reptiles - up to 7m
Usually live in the tropics
Changed very little in 200
million years
Alligators – fresh water
– China or US
– Rounded snout
Crocodiles – salt or fresh water
– Africa, India, Southeast Asia
– Pointed snout
American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Schneider's Dwarf Caiman
Gavialis gangeticus
Crocodylus johnsoni
Australian Freshwater Crocodile
13. Order Chelonia
Geochelone radiata
Radiated Tortoise
Galapagos Giant Tortoise
Alex Score, Gray's Reef,
asseses Humpty Dumpty after
capture. (Photograph Karen
Angle)
Terrapene carolina
Box Turtle
Pseudemys concinna
Eastern River Cooter
14. Turtles and Tortoises
Turtles
– Adapted to water life
– Legs act as flippers
– Flatter aerodynamic
carapace
Tortoises
– Usually live on land
– Stubby elephant-like legs
– High dome-like carapace
–Shell
•Carapace – dorsal
•Plastron – ventral
