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Reptiles of the Animal Kingdom Living on Planet Earth Move through the program using the arrow keys below this message. Keyboard and mouse options will also work. Reptiles Reptiles are part of the Animal Kingdom. The other animal classes include: mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Reptiles All members of the kingdom of animals have one thing in common—they have a mouth or similar method of ingesting food. If they absorb food they belong to another kingdom of life. Reptiles Have mouths to ingest food Have vertebrae to support their bodies Are cold-blooded Breathe with lungs Have skin with scales or plates Reptiles Reptiles are vertebrates. This means they have a backbone made up of vertebrae and cartilage that give them shape and helps them to turn. Reptiles Muscles and ligaments are attached to the skeleton, which includes vertebrae and other bones, and holds the internal organs in place. Reptiles Reptiles are cold-blooded. They rely on the warmth of the sun, and their surroundings to control their temperature. Cold-blooded animals don't depend upon food to keep them warm just to help them grow and to maintain life. Reptiles Except for the land and the waters of the continent of Antarctica, reptiles have been found throughout the world. They live on land and in both fresh and salt water. Reptiles Cold-blooded species have different methods of surviving very cold or hot temperatures. Some species, such as snakes found in parts of Canada, are able to hibernate. Sea turtles are able to migrate to warm tropical waters in the winter. Reptiles Reptiles breathe air into lungs. The heart moves oxygen from the lungs into the blood. Each heart beat pushes blood throughout the body. The body’s skeleton, organs and muscles depend upon good oxygen circulation from the heart and the lungs. Reptiles Reptiles have a tough, waterproof skin covered by scales or plates. These scales or plates are like the nails of our fingers and toes. They are lightweight, flexible and strong. They’re made from a protein that grows up from the skin and harden as they develop. Reptiles Snakes shed their skin as one piece in a single day. The old skin rolls off inside-out like a tube sock. A crocodile will drop its scales and plates one at a time as each new replacement grows from its skin. Turtles grow new layers. Reptiles There are at least 8,000 reptile species living on land and in water. We’ll look at some characteristics that make reptiles different from other animals. We’ll also learn some of the special features animals possess to adapt and survive in the wild. Reptiles Many species lay eggs while a few give live births after incubating and hatching their eggs internally. Egg-laying reptiles rely on the warmth and moisture of their surroundings to develop the young animal inside themselves. Reptiles Some snakes will lay their eggs in hot spots such as compost heaps. Python snakes will incubate eggs by wrapping their body around them and twitching their muscles to generate heat. Many water snakes give live births. Reptiles Reptiles have very good eyesight for hunting. Their eyes are located almost on the sides of their head giving them a wide sight range. The only place they cannot see is directly behind them. Reptiles Many reptiles know something is around them by feeling vibrations with their bodies. Not all species hear airborne vibrations with ears. Some reptiles don’t have any ears. Others, like crocodiles, can keep water out by closing their ears. Reptiles Some reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, catch scent particles with their tongues. They taste the “smell” with a special organ in their mouth. Many others have a snout or nose and breathe scents in the air. Reptiles Many reptiles have keen senses and highly evolved instinctual hunting skills. They are not affectionate and will bite the hand that feeds them. An alligator will study the habits of a prey animal. When it’s hungry it will be ready to capture the unsuspecting animal that has become comfortable in its surroundings. Reptiles Finding Food Reptiles that find and hunt other animals are called carnivores because they eat meat. Reptiles Finding Food These hunters have keen senses and strong bodies. They often hunt animals that are larger than themselves. Alligators and crocodiles will eat anything they can overpower. Reptiles Finding Food Animals that eat only plants found growing in their ecosystem are called herbivores. Most reptiles are omnivorous, eating meat if available, and plants that provide nutrition and water. Reptiles Camouflage Some lizards, such as the chameleon, change color to match the background or show its mood. The camouflage of Leaf-tailed geckos protects them from predators by appearing to be patches of lichen growing on bark. Reptiles Camouflage Very young American alligators have yellow striping that helps them blend into the marsh grasses. Reptiles Webbed Toes Animals that spend a lot of time in the water have webbed toes to help them swim faster. This characteristic and the use their long tail help make alligators and crocodiles fast swimmers. Reptiles Webbed Toes Sea turtles have flippers instead of webbed feet. Reptiles Regenerate Lizards and snakes are the largest group of reptiles. Lizards are four legged animals with a long tail. Many lizards can shed their tail to escape from predators. They can then grow a new tail. Reptiles Magnetic Senses Sea turtles may have the ability to sense magnetic fields of the earth. They travel great distances in the ocean throughout their lives. When they mature, they return to the beach where they were hatched and bury their eggs in the same area. Reptiles Migration Sea turtles migrate to warmer waters not only to lay eggs, but to stay warm and find good sources of food. Reptiles Dormancy A reptile will hide in mud, sand, tree holes or other insulated places to keep safe from climate conditions and predators. They can slow down body functions for long periods of time to survive extreme cold, heat and drought. Reptiles Torpor Others will go into a state of torpor for shorter periods, reducing their heart rate and other bodily functions when the air or water temperatures drop. Reptiles Chemical Release The skin glands of the tuatara contain chemicals that may help it communicate with other animals and fight off skin fungi that expose the skin to disease. Snakes have a pair of anal scent glands that help them attract mates, protect against predators, and mark their territory. Reptiles Poison Defenses Gila monsters and some snakes inject lifethreatening poisonous venom into their prey with a bite. Reptiles Thermo-reception Some snakes have special pits located between their eyes and nostrils that sense small changes in temperature. These pit viper snakes usually hunt at night and this special sense helps them locate warmblooded prey. Reptiles Constrictors Some snakes grab prey with their mouths. Then they wrap their long strong bodies around the animal crushing it until it stops breathing. Snakes are able to open their jaws to swallow a very large animal whole. Reptiles There are many interesting characteristics found among all the animal species. It’s fun to learn what they have in common and some of the things that make them different. Reptiles We hope you enjoyed learning about the Reptiles of the Animal Kingdom. Reptiles Orders Crocodiles and Alligators Lizards and Tuataras Snakes Turtles and Tortoises Reptiles of the Animal Kingdom Images Courtesy of: Microsoft Clipart www.office.com Contributions from abcteach.com staff members, and others as identified. Copyright 2010 abcteach.com Click on the image above to find complimentary paragraph and essay writing assignments. Have your students work as a class, in groups or individually to develop their thinking and writing skills. Reptiles of the Animal Kingdom Living on Planet Earth