Reptiles

Adapted for Life On Land• Ectothermic

– All reptiles are ectotherms meaning “cold-blooded.”– THINK! – How do cold-blooded animals maintain their body temperature?

• Whatever the temperature that their environment is becomes their body temp

• Skin– Reptiles have dry, tough skin covered with scales– Scaly skin helps keep water in their bodies and protect them

• Kidneys– Clean the blood of waste and excretes it as urine– The kidneys concentrate urine so much that the animal loses little water

• Egg with Shell– A reptile egg has a leathery shell to keep it moist– This egg is called an amniotic egg

Lizards

• Features– These reptiles have skin covered with

overlapping scales

• Feeding– Most lizards are carnivores.

– THINK! – What do carnivores eat?

• meat

• To the right is a Boyd's Dragon found in the Kuranda Rainforest of Australia.

Snakes• Features

– Snakes have no legs, no eyelids, no ears, and just one lung.

– Snakes such as rattle heads and copperheads have venom glands attached to their fangs.

• Feeding– All snakes are carnivores.

• Let’s check out some snakes seen at the Australia Zoo

Venomous Snakes of Australia

Fierce Snake – World’sMost venomous snake!

Black Tiger Snake

Local Snakes of Australia

Green Python – A stunningsnake that blends into theRainforest greenery!

Carpet Python – A harmless Snake you find around suburban areas! Great if you have a rodent problem!

Turtles & Tortoises• Features

– A turtles gender is determined by the incubation temperature of the eggs.

• Feeding– Some turtles are

carnivores and some are herbivores like the Galapagos tortoise!

– THINK! – What does a herbivore eat?

• Plants

Alligators & Crocodiles

• Features– THINK! – How can you tell the

difference between an alligator & a crocodile?

– Alligators have broad, round snouts with only a few visible teeth when their mouths are shut.

– Crocodiles have pointed snouts with most of their teeth visible when their mouths are shut.

• Feeding– The largest reptiles still living on Earth

and are also carnivores.

Enjoying the Croc Show At the Australia Zoo!

Let’s Cruise the Daintree River & Try to Spot Some Crocs!

Can You Spot a Croc?

Our fearless leader on the boat!

The Second Sighting

The Third Sighting

We were the Luckiest Group! A baby hatchling not more than a month old!

Cool Reptile Facts

• Most reptiles have a 3-chambered heart. Crocodiles have 4 chambers.

• By 2080, 20% of lizard species will be extinct due to global warming.

• The Nile Crocodile can reach 20 feet long and weigh up to 1,650 lbs.

(largest reptile!)

• A King Cobra can deliver enough venom in one bite to kill 20 people.

• Snakes use their forked tongue to sense.

• Green Anacondas can weigh up to 550 lbs.

• Black Mamba is the world’s deadliest snake.

• Most newborn snakes are born with a single tooth. Why?

Critter Cards

• Select one of the following reptiles: lizards, snakes, turtles, alligator, or crocodile to research.

• Use the template to take notes on your reptile.

• Then, arrange the information on a 5” X 8” unlined index card. You may choose to use the computer to generate your information.