Herpetology Lab

Study of amphibians and reptiles

Amphibians • Frogs, toads, newts, salamanders• Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia• Semi-terrestrial (double life)

aquatic young, terrestrial adult• Metamorphosis (frog life cyle)• No amniotic egg• Young have gills• Cutaneous respiration• No scales (skin with mucus)• 3 chambered heart• No true nails or claws• Homodont teeth• 10 pairs of cranial nerves• Ectotherms

Reptiles

• Lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, crocadiles, alligators• Terrestrial• Amniotic egg• Keratinized scales• Claws and nails• Respiration by lungs• No metamorphosis• 3 chambered heart• Hemipenis in snakes and lizards• Some with heterodont and thecodont teeth• 12 pairs of cranial nerves• Ectotherms

Alligator

1. 4th mandibular (lower jaw) tooth inside mouth when closed(fits into upper jaw)2. 4th maxillary (upper jaw) is largest tooth and shows(upper teeth overlap lower)3. Rounded snout (U shape)

Crocadile

1. When mouth is closed 4th mandibular is visible2. 5th maxillary is largest toothUpper and lower teeth alternate3. Triangular to pointed snout (V shape)

Alligator vs. Crocadile

alligator

crocadilecaiman

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-crocodile.html

Alligator and Caiman Range: alligators are found in the southern United States and eastern China; caimans are found in Central America and South America Habitat: grassy swamps and slow-moving rivers

Crocodile Range: Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia Habitat: grassy swamps and slow-moving rivers

Mammal Lab• Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia• Mammary Glands• Hair or fur (some exceptions)• Muscular diaphragm• Lower jaw (mandible has 2 halves)• Multiple roots on cheek teeth• 3 bones in middle ear• One left aortic arch on heart• Red blood cells without nucleus (when mature)• Heterodont, thecodont• Bony palate• 4 chambered heart• Live birth- mouse life cycle• Endotherms

Flying squirrel

Weasel

Outside bldg. 7