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Reptiles and Amphibians
What Makes a Reptile a Reptile?
• Air-breathing• Ectothermic (cold-blooded) • Vertebrates • Skin covered in scales and/or scutes (bony
outside part, like a shell).
• Tetrapods (four limbed) • Lays eggs with shells • Inhabit every continent with the exception of
Antarctica. • Originated around 320-310 million years ago
4 Main Groups of Reptiles
• 1) Crocodilia- 23 Species • Crocodiles• Gavials• Caimans • Alligators
Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators
• You can't see an alligator's teeth when it's mouth is closed; its lower teeth fit snugly into pits in the upper jaw. In contrast, a crocodile's lower teeth are always visible.
• Alligators have a broad snout, while crocodiles have a thinner snout.
• Alligators tend to be grayish black in color, whereas crocodiles have a light tan appearance.
• Alligators can only be found in the southeastern United States and in some parts of China. Crocodiles can be found all over the world.
• In the wild, alligators tend to run away while crocodiles prefer to fight.
4 Main Groups of Reptiles
• 2) Sphenodontia – 2 species • Tuataras
• 3) Squamata -approximately 9,150 species• Lizards • Snakes • Worm lizards
• 4) Testudines - over 300 species• Turtles• Terrapins • Tortoises
Size Range of Reptiles
• Extant reptiles range in size from a tiny gecko, Sphaerodactylus ariasae, which can grow up to 17 mm to the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, which may reach 6 m in length and weigh over 2,200 lb.
What Makes an Amphibian an Amphibian?
• Ectothermic (cold-blooded) • Vertebrates • Eggs are not surrounded by membranes
(shells)• Eggs are layed in water• Tetrapods (4 limbs)
• Born with gills – some retain gills for life, while others have gills that mature into adult lungs.
• Skin is used for respiration or exchange of gases.
• 6,500 species • Evolved out of fish over time.
3 Main Groups of Amphibians
• 1) Anura - frogs and toads
Differences Between Frogs and Toads
Frogs• two bulging eyes • strong, long, webbed hind
feet that are adapted for leaping and swimming
• smooth or slimy skin (generally, frogs tend to like moister environments)
• Frogs tend to lay eggs in clusters.
Toads• stubby bodies with short hind
legs (for walking instead of hopping)
• warty and dry skin (usually preferring dryer climates)
• paratoid (or poison) glands behind the eyes
• The chest cartilage of toads is different also.
• Toads tend to lay eggs in long chains.
• 2) Caudata - salamanders and newts
• 3) Gymnophiona
caecilians
limbless amphibians that resemble snakes
Caribbean Amphibian!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCDshh48ypg
Differences Between Reptiles and Amphibians
• Reptiles include alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes.
• Amphibians include salamanders, toads, and frogs.
• Reptiles are covered with scales, shields, or plates, and their toes have claws.
• Amphibians, on the other hand, have moist, glandular skins, and their toes lack claws.
• The eggs of reptiles have a thick, hard shell that protects the developing embryo from moisture loss, even on dry land.
• In contrast, the eggs of amphibians lack a hard outer covering and, thus, must be laid in water or in damp places.
• Finally, young reptiles are miniature replicas of their parents in general appearance, although not always in coloration and pattern.
• Juvenile amphibians, however, pass through a larval (wormlike), usually aquatic, stage before they metamorphose (change in form and structure) into the adult form.
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