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Class Reptiles, or Reptiles (Reptilia) General characteristics of the class. List of reptiles and features of reptiles What are reptiles

The topic of this article is reptiles. Species, origin, habitats, as well as some other facts about them will be presented in it.

The word "reptile" comes from a Latin term meaning "to crawl", "to crawl". This implies the nature of the movement of representatives of this class. It should be noted, however, that not all reptiles are animals that can only crawl. There are those who are good at jumping, running, swimming, and even practically flying, gliding like flying squirrels.

ancient reptiles

These animals lived long before the appearance of man on our planet. The reptiles living on Earth today are only relics (insignificant remnants) of a class that was very diverse and rich in the past. It's about about reptiles that reached their peak in (about 230-67 million years BC). Ancient reptiles were represented in a huge number of forms. Some of their species lived on land. One can note among them large predatory tarbosaurs and giant herbivorous brontosaurs. Others, such as ichthyosaurs, lived in the water. Still others could fly like birds. amazing world reptiles of antiquity has not yet been fully studied. Perhaps in the near future, scientists will encounter new discoveries.

In 1988, the remains of reptiles were discovered in Scotland. According to experts, these reptiles lived 340 million years ago. It was, as it turned out, the most ancient species of fossil reptiles known today. Their body was only 20.3 cm long.

Origin of ancient reptiles

Ancient reptiles evolved from ancient amphibians. This event was the next step in the adaptation of vertebrates to life on land. Today, amphibians and reptiles coexist. Amphibians are otherwise called amphibians, and reptiles are called reptiles.

Groups of modern reptiles

Reptiles (modern) include the following groups.

1. crocodiles. These are large animals with a lizard-like body. There are only 23 species of them, which include real crocodiles, as well as alligators, caimans and gharials.

2. beakheads. They are represented by just one type of hatteria called Sphenodon punctatus. These reptiles (a photo of one of them is presented below) resemble in appearance (up to 75 cm) with a massive body, five-fingered limbs and large heads.

3. scaly. This group of reptiles is the most numerous. It includes 7600 species. These include, for example, lizards, the most numerous group of modern reptiles. This includes: monitor lizards, iguanas, scale-footed, skinks, agamas, chameleons. Lizards are a specialized species that leads a mainly arboreal lifestyle. The scaly ones also include snakes - legless reptiles, as well as amphisbaena - creatures with worm-like body and a short tail, resembling outwardly the head end. Amphisbaena are adapted for a burrowing lifestyle. They very rarely appear on the surface. These reptiles most they spend their lives underground or in the nests of termites and ants that amphisbaena feed on. They usually lack limbs. Representatives belonging to the genus Bipes have only front legs. They can move along earthen passages and tail first. Because of this, they are also called doubles. "Amphisbaena" is translated from Greek as "moving in both directions."

4. Another group - turtles. Their bodies are surrounded by shells from below, from the sides and from above. The shell includes the abdominal (plastron) and dorsal (carapace) shields, which are connected by a bone jumper or tendon ligament. There are about 300 species of turtles.

Together with mammals and birds, reptiles are combined into one group of higher vertebrates.

Where do reptiles live?

For the most part, reptiles lead a terrestrial lifestyle. These are creatures that prefer open landscapes warmed by the sun, including almost devoid of vegetation, waterless deserts. However, many turtles and all crocodiles live in rivers, lakes or swamps. Some snakes and some turtles also live permanently in the seas.

Reptile skin, unfortunately, is now used for the production of leather products. It is highly valued, and because of this, many representatives of reptiles suffer. Their future is in our hands.

Crocodile habitats

Crocodiles are common throughout the tropics. Basically, these reptiles are animals living in high-water swamps, lakes and rivers. They usually spend most of the day in the water. Crocodiles come to the coastal shallows in the morning, and also in the late afternoon, in order to bask in the sun. To salty sea ​​water relatively few species are tolerated. combed crocodile swims in the open sea especially far - up to 600 km from the coast.

Habitats of tuatara and lizards

Tuataria today survived only on rocky islets located near New Zealand. A special reserve was created here for their sake.

Lizards are distributed almost throughout the planet, except for cold zones. Some types of mountains rise to the border of eternal snow, for example, in the Himalayas - up to a height of 5.5 km above sea level. Most lizards lead a terrestrial lifestyle.

However, some of them climb trees or bushes, such as roundheads. Others may live permanently in trees and are capable of gliding flight. Agamas and geckos living in rocks can move along vertical surfaces. Also, some lizards live in the soil. They usually have no eyes, and their bodies are elongated. The sea lizard lives near the surf line. She has excellent swimming skills. She spends a lot of time in the water, eating seaweed.

Where do snakes and turtles live?

Snakes are everywhere on Earth, except for New Zealand, the polar regions and some oceanic islands. All of them swim well, there are even species that spend almost all or all of their time in the water. This is sea ​​snakes. Their tails are compressed from the sides in a paddle-like manner. Due to the transition of snakes to a burrowing lifestyle, some of them have reduced their eyes and disappeared under the shields, and their tails have also shortened. These are narrow-mouthed snakes and blind snakes.

Freshwater and land turtles are found on many islands, as well as on all continents except Antarctica. Their habitats are very diverse. These are tropical forests, hot deserts, rivers, lakes and swamps, expanses of the ocean and coasts of the seas. Sea turtles spend their entire lives in the water. They come ashore only to lay eggs.

The largest snakes

Most large snakes modern ones are anacondas (pictured above) and reticulated pythons. In length they reach 10 meters. In Eastern Colombia, a specimen of an anaconda was found, unique in size - 11 m 43 cm.

Sizes of crocodiles

The largest of the crocodiles are combed and Nile. In length, they reach 7 m. 1.2 m for females and 1.5 m for males is the maximum body length of a smooth-fronted caiman, the smallest among other species of crocodiles.

The largest and smallest turtles

The leatherback sea turtle is considered the largest of the modern turtles. Its length can exceed 2 meters. In the UK, on ​​the coast in 1988, the dead body of a male of this was found, which had a width of 2.77 m and a length of 2.91. Muscovy turtle is the smallest among all species. On average, the length of her carapace is 7.6 cm.

Lizard sizes

Among the lizards, the Virginian round-toed geckos are considered the smallest. Only 16 mm is the length of their bodies (excluding the tail). No doubt the most large lizard is an komodo dragon(a photo of it is presented below).

The length of his body reaches three or even more meters. Dwelling in papua new guinea the thin-bodied monitor lizard of El Salvador reaches 4.75 m in length, however, about 70% of its length falls on the tail.

Reptile body temperature

Like amphibians, reptiles do not have any kind of constant body temperature. Their life activity therefore depends to a large extent on the ambient temperature. For example, in dry warm weather they are especially active and at this time often catch the eye. On the contrary, in bad weather and cold they become inactive and rarely leave their shelters. At temperatures close to zero, reptiles fall into a stupor. That is why they are few in the taiga zone. There are only about 5 types of them.

Reptiles can control their body temperature simply by hiding from hypothermia or overheating. Hibernation, for example, allows reptiles to avoid cold weather, and daytime heat - night activity.

Breathing Features

Reptiles (a photo of some of them is presented in this article), unlike amphibians, breathe only with their lungs. Their lungs retain a bag-like structure, but reptiles have a much more complex internal structure than amphibians. The folded cellular structure has the inner walls of their lung sacs. They resemble honeycombs. This significantly increases the respiratory surface in reptiles. Unlike amphibians, reptiles do not blow air through their mouths. However, for most of them, breathing of the so-called "suction" type is characteristic. They exhale and inhale air through their nostrils by constriction and expansion. chest. The act of breathing is carried out with the help of the abdominal and intercostal muscles.

However, in turtles, the ribs are immobile due to the presence of a shell, so the species belonging to them have developed a different method of ventilation than other reptiles. They drive air into the lungs by swallowing it or by making pumping movements with their front legs.

reproduction

Reptiles breed on land. At the same time, unlike amphibians, they have direct development, that is, without a larval stage. Reptiles usually lay large eggs rich in yolk with shell and amniotic (embryonic) membranes, which protect embryos from mechanical damage and water loss, and also provide gas exchange and nutrition. By the time of hatching, young reptiles reach a considerable size. These are already miniature copies of adults.

The class of vertebrates that occupy an intermediate position between amphibians and mammals is called reptiles (reptiles). They have a greater resemblance to birds. This class includes the following animals on the list:

  • crocodiles;
  • turtles;
  • snakes;
  • lizards;
  • dinosaurs ( fossil form animals of the Mesozoic era).

General characteristics of reptiles

Like amphibians, reptiles are cold-blooded creatures. In other words, their body temperature is determined by the surrounding space. To some extent, reptiles are able to regulate their temperature by covering themselves from hypothermia. For example, in winter time years, animals hibernate, and during periods of intense heat, they begin to hunt at night.

Reptiles have hard skin covered with scales. The main task which is to protect the body from drying out. For example, in turtles the upper protection is provided by a strong shell, crocodiles have hard plates of bone origin on their heads and backs.

Reptiles breathe only through the lungs. In some animal species, the lungs are the same size and equally developed, while in others, such as snakes and lizards, the right lung is larger size and is located throughout the body cavity. Turtles have fixed ribs due to the shell, so the ventilation of the body is organized in a different way. Air enters the lungs with the swinging movements of the front legs or with intensive swallowing.

The bone skeleton of reptiles is well developed. The number and shape of the ribs depends on the specific species, but all representatives of the class have them. Almost all turtles have fused bone plates of the shell and spine. snakes have ribs designed for active crawling. In lizards, the ribs serve to support fan-shaped membranes for planning in the air.

Most reptiles have short tongue which cannot protrude. Snakes and lizards have a long tongue, divided in two, which is able to protrude far from the mouth. For this animal species, these are the most important sense organs.

For protection against environment in small reptiles, the original coloration is observed. Turtles are protected by a dense shell. Some snakes are venomous.

In terms of reproductive organs, reptiles have similarities with birds. As a rule, reptiles are egg-laying animals. But in some species, until hatching, the eggs remain inside at the site of the oviduct. This type includes some species of lizards and vipers.

Classification of reptiles and their distribution

Modern reptiles are divided into four divisions:

  • turtles (about 300 species);
  • crocodiles (25 species);
  • scaly (about 5500 species of lizards and snakes);
  • tuatara (tuatara).

The last detachment belongs to the only representative of beak-winged animals among reptiles.

reptiles distributed throughout the world. The largest number is seen in warm areas. In regions with cold climates and lack of woody vegetation, reptiles are practically not found. Representatives of this class live on land, in water (fresh and salty) and in the air.

ancient fossil reptiles

Reptiles have been known since carboniferous period. They reached their largest sizes in the Permian and Triassic periods. At the same time, an increased multiplication of animals was observed, which populated all new territories. AT mesozoic era the dominance of reptiles was overwhelming, both on land and in water. This period is not in vain called the age of reptiles.

Turtles

To one of the most known species reptiles include turtles. There are both marine and land representatives of animals. The species is distributed throughout the world. Animals can also keep at home. The oldest representatives of turtles were discovered 200 million years ago. Scientists believe that they originated from a primitive species of cotilosaurs. Turtles are practically harmless animals, they are not dangerous to humans.

Animals of this species have a shell of a bone structure. Outside, it is formed by numerous individual elements of horny tissue, which are connected using plates. For breath land turtles lungs function well. Aquatic representatives of the class breathe with the help of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. main feature these animals - longevity. Average age turtles exceed the lifespan of any other reptile.

crocodiles

Animals are among the most dangerous species reptiles. The origin of crocodiles is associated with ancient reptiles, the size of which exceeded 15 meters in length. Scientists have been able to find the remains of ancient crocodiles on all continents the globe. Modern representatives of this class have more usual sizes. But among reptiles, they still remain the largest species.

Almost all the time crocodiles are in the water. Only the ears, nose and eyes of the animal appear on the surface. Crocodiles swim with webbed tails and paws. But at great depths, only single representatives of the class can exist - a combed species. Crocodile nests are located on land. In some cases, they also crawl out of the water to bask.

Reptiles have a strong powerful tail, and are also characterized high speed land movements. Therefore, crocodiles are extremely dangerous to humans. A sharp, unexpected throw can take people by surprise. Most dangerous representatives Crocodiles are considered alligators.

Chameleons

This type of lizard is known to almost everyone. Reptiles are known for their unique coloration, which acts as a camouflage. The skin of an animal can change its color depending on environmental conditions. Chameleons live in trees. Some people keep these cute creatures at home.

Reptiles are quite whimsical in care. They need a spacious terrarium, which is equipped with special lamps. You will need a tree, a small pond, floor heating and excellent ventilation. Chameleons feed on insects. Therefore, the owners will also have to take care of their presence.

iguanas

Everything appears now more lovers pets - iguanas. This representative of lizards also requires special care. Iguanas must be kept in a special terrarium that can maintain a certain temperature regime. From food, domestic iguanas prefer fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as greens. At good care and creating optimal living conditions, lizards at home can grow quite large. Maximum iguana weight - 5 kg. Keeping such a pet at home is difficult, it will require a large financial injection, as well as significant labor costs.

Iguanas are one of those rare species reptiles that molt. Most reptiles experience this period in two days, while in iguanas it stretches for several weeks.

monitor lizards

There are about 70 species of monitor lizards. They live in different areas. The size of the animals is very impressive. In short-tailed monitor lizards, the length is about 20 cm, while in other representatives it is much longer (about 1 meter). by the most large monitor lizards considered Komodo species. Their dimensions reach three meters in length, and their weight is 1500 kg. No wonder these animals are called modern dinosaurs.

Monitor lizards are covered with large scales. They have strong paws with a tenacious grip and powerful a long tail . The tongue of the animal is also large in size, at the end it is divided in half. Lizards can only smell with their tongues. The color of animals is dominated by gray and brown shades. Young representatives of the class are often found with spotted or striped scales. Monitor lizards live in regions with warm climate. Most common in Australia, Africa and South Asia. Depending on the habitat, monitor lizards are divided into two types. The first of them lives in a desert area with dry trees and shrubs. The second one is closer to tropical forests and reservoirs. Some representatives of monitor lizards live on tree branches.

geckos

Unique representatives of reptiles that are able to stick to any surface, even the smoothest. Geckos can climb smooth glass walls, hang from ceilings, and many other interesting things. The lizard is able to stay on the surface with just one paw.

snakes

This is famous representatives reptiles. The main difference from other species is the shape of the body. Snakes have a long body, but do not have paired limbs, eyelids, and an external auditory meatus. Some of these characteristics are present in individual species of lizards, but collectively such characteristics are observed only in snakes.

Serpentine The body is made up of three elements:

  • head;
  • body;
  • tail.

Some representatives have retained rudimentary forms of limbs. A large number of snake species are venomous. They have furrowed or canalized teeth that contain venom. This dangerous liquid comes from salivary glands animal. All internal organs snakes are different from the standard indicators. They have an oblong shape. Animals do not have a bladder. There is in front of the eyes cornea, which was formed from fused eyelids. Serpents that lead daytime look life, have a transverse pupil, and night snakes are characterized vertical arrangement pupil. Because Animals do not have an auditory canal, so only loud sounds are heard for them.

snakes

These are representatives of one of the varieties of snakes. Their main feature is that they are not poisonous. Snakes have bright scales with a large ribbed surface. Animals are common near water bodies. They feed on amphibians and fish. Sometimes snakes manage to catch a bird or a small mammal. Such snakes do not kill their prey, they swallow it whole.

If the snake sensed danger, then it pretending to be dead. And when attacked, a liquid is released from the mouth with an extremely bad smell. Snakes breed on vegetable soils covered with wet moss or natural debris.

The list of modern reptiles can be continued for a very long time. All representatives of the class have certain similarities characteristic of this type of animal, as well as clear differences. Such animals are of great interest to scientists and hobbyists from all over the world. Them unique features can tell a lot.

Each of us, even if only in pictures, has seen frogs and lizards, crocodiles and toads - these animals belong to the classes Amphibians and Reptiles. The example given by us is far from the only one. There are indeed many such creatures. But how to distinguish who is who? What is the difference between amphibians and reptiles and how significant are these differences?

A crocodile and a toad can get along very well in the same pond. Therefore, it is likely that it may seem that they are related and have common ancestors. But this is a huge mistake. These animals belong to different systematic classes. There are many fundamental differences between them. And they are not only appearance and sizes. The crocodile and lizard are reptiles, while the frog and toad are amphibians.

But, of course, amphibians and reptiles have some similarities. They prefer areas with warm climates. True, amphibians choose wet places, preferably near water bodies. But this is dictated by the fact that they breed only in water. Reptiles are not associated with water bodies. They, on the contrary, prefer drier and hotter regions.

Let's take a look at the structure physiological features reptiles and amphibians, and compare how they differ from each other.

Class Reptiles (reptiles)

Class Reptiles, or Reptiles are terrestrial animals. They got their name from the way they move. Reptiles don't walk on the ground, they crawl. It was the reptiles that first completely switched from aquatic to terrestrial way of life. The ancestors of these animals settled widely on the earth. An important feature reptiles is internal fertilization and the ability to lay eggs rich in nutrients. They are protected by a dense shell, which includes calcium. It was the ability to lay eggs that contributed to the development of reptiles outside the reservoir on land.

The structure of reptiles

The body of reptiles has strong formations - scales. They tightly cover the skin of reptiles. This protects them from moisture loss. Reptile skin is always dry. Evaporation through it does not occur. Therefore, snakes and lizards are able to live in deserts without experiencing discomfort.

Reptiles breathe with fairly well-developed lungs. It is important that intensive breathing in reptiles became possible due to the appearance of a fundamentally new part of the skeleton. The thorax first appears in reptiles. It is formed by ribs extending from the vertebrae. From the ventral side, they are already connected to the sternum. Due to the special muscles, the ribs are mobile. This helps to expand the chest at the time of inhalation.

The Reptile class has undergone changes from the side circulatory system. This is due to the complication. In the vast majority of reptiles, they, like amphibians, have two circles of blood circulation. However, there are also some differences. For example, there is a septum in the ventricle. When the heart contracts, it practically divides it into two halves (right - venous, left - arterial). The location of the main blood vessels more clearly distinguishes between arterial and venous flows. As a result, the body of reptiles is supplied with blood enriched with oxygen much better. At the same time, they have more established processes of intercellular metabolism and the removal of metabolic products and carbon dioxide from the body. There is also an exception in the class Reptiles, an example is a crocodile. His heart is four-chambered.

Main large arteries small and large circles of blood circulation are fundamentally the same for all groups of terrestrial vertebrates. Of course, there are some small differences here too. In reptiles, skin veins and arteries have disappeared. Only the pulmonary vessels remained.

Currently, about 8 thousand species of reptiles are known. They live on all continents, except, of course, Antarctica. There are four orders of reptiles: crocodiles, scaly, turtles and primal lizards.

Reproduction of reptiles

Unlike fish and amphibians, reptiles reproduce internally. They are segregated. The male has a special organ with which he introduces spermatozoa into the cloaca of the female. They penetrate the eggs, after which fertilization occurs. The eggs develop in the body of the female. Then she lays them in a pre-prepared place, usually a dug hole. Outside, reptile eggs are covered with a dense calcium shell. They contain the embryo and a supply of nutrients. It is not a larva that comes out of the egg, as in fish or amphibians, but individuals capable of independent life. Thus, the reproduction of reptiles fundamentally goes to new level. The embryo undergoes all stages of development in the egg. After hatching, it does not depend on the body of water and may well survive on its own. As a rule, adults do not show concern for their offspring.

Class Amphibians

Amphibians, or amphibians, are also newts. They, with rare exceptions, always live near a reservoir. But there are species that live in the desert, such as the water toad. When it rains, she collects fluid in the subcutaneous sacs. Her body is swelling. Then she burrows into the sand and, highlighting a large number of slime, going through prolonged drought. Currently, about 3400 species of amphibians are known. They are divided into two groups - tailed and tailless. The first include salamanders and newts, the second - frogs and toads.

Amphibians are very different from the class Reptiles, an example is the structure of the body and organ systems, as well as the method of reproduction. Like their distant fish ancestors, they spawn in the water. To do this, amphibians often look for puddles separated from the main body of water. This is where both fertilization and development of the larvae take place. This means that during the breeding season, amphibians have to return to the water. This greatly interferes with their resettlement and limits their movement. Only a few species were able to adapt to life away from water bodies. They give birth to mature offspring. That is why these animals are called semi-aquatic.

Amphibians are the first of the chordates to have developed limbs. Thanks to this, in the distant past, they were able to go to land. This, of course, caused a number of changes in these animals, not only anatomical, but also physiological. Compared to the species remaining in aquatic environment, amphibians have a wider chest. This contributed to the development and complication of the lungs. Amphibians improved the organs of hearing and vision.

Amphibian habitats

Like reptiles, amphibians prefer to live in warm regions. Usually frogs are found in damp places near water bodies. But you can see them both in the meadows and in the forests, especially after heavy rain. Some species thrive even in deserts. For example, the Australian toad. She is very well adapted to survive a long drought. Under such conditions, other species of toads would certainly die quickly. But she has learned to store vital moisture in her subcutaneous pockets during the rainy season. In addition, during this period, she breeds, laying eggs in puddles. For tadpoles, one month is enough for complete transformation. The Australian toad, in extreme conditions for its species, not only found a way to reproduce, but also successfully find food for itself.

Differences between reptiles and amphibians

Although at first glance it seems that amphibians are not much different from reptiles, this is far from being the case. In fact, there are not so many similarities. Amphibians have less perfect and developed organs than the class Reptiles, for example - amphibian larvae have gills, while the offspring of reptiles are already born with fully formed lungs. In fairness, it should be noted that newts, and frogs, and turtles, and even snakes may well coexist on the territory of one reservoir. Therefore, some do not see significant differences in these units, often getting confused who is who. But fundamental differences do not allow combining these species into one class. Amphibians always depend on their habitat, that is, the reservoir, in most cases they cannot leave it. With reptiles, things are different. In the event of a drought, they may well make little trip and find a better place.

This is possible largely due to the fact that the skin of reptiles is covered with horny scales that do not allow moisture to evaporate. The skin of reptiles is devoid of glands that secrete mucus, so it is always dry. Their body is protected from drying out, which gives them distinct advantages in dry climates. Reptiles are characterized by molting. For example, the body of a snake grows throughout its life. Her skin is "wearing out". They hold back growth, so once a year she "dumps" them. Amphibians have bare skin. It is rich in glands that secrete mucus. But at intense heat an amphibian can get heatstroke.

Ancestors of reptiles and amphibians

7. Amphibians have four sections of the spine, and reptiles have five. This has similarities between mammals and reptiles.

Dinosaurs are the largest reptiles that ever lived on earth. They disappeared about 65 million years ago. They inhabited both the sea and the land. Some species were able to fly. Currently most are turtles. They are over 300 million years old. They existed in the age of dinosaurs. A little later, crocodiles and the first lizard appeared (their photos can be seen in this article). Snakes are “only” 20 million years old. This is a relatively young species. Although it is their origin that is currently one of the big mysteries biology.

Reptiles are an unusual class that lies between amphibians and mammals. Otherwise they are called reptiles. But not everyone knows who reptiles are.

Reptiles are vertebrates that resemble birds and mammals.

Let's take a closer look at this class.

Who are reptiles

Members of this class are cold-blooded creatures. Their body temperature is determined by the ambient temperature. But they have one feature, they can regulate their own temperature. The ancestors of reptiles are amphibians. In winter, reptiles usually sleep. And in hot weather they only lead night image life.

The skin of reptiles is tough and covered with scales.. Such skin is needed in order to protect the body from drying out. These animals breathe only through the lungs. Some representatives of this class have lungs of the same size, while others have one lung larger than the other. And this is the norm. The skeleton of reptiles is well developed. Everyone has ribs, but their number depends on the representative of this class.

Almost all species of this class have a language, but for someone it is short, and for someone it is very long. It is also the main sense organ. To protect themselves from enemies, these animals change color, some have a hard shell, and some are generally poisonous. These animals breed like birds, that is, they lay eggs.

The following animals belong to the class of reptiles:

  • snakes;
  • Lizards;
  • Turtles;
  • Dinosaurs.

reptile types

Reptiles or reptiles are divided into four orders:

Reptiles can be found anywhere, but most of them live in warm countries. Where it is always cold and there is little vegetation, these animals are very rare. Reptiles live everywhere. And in the water, and on the ground, and in the air. Let's take a closer look at the representatives of this class.

Turtles

Turtles are the most famous among reptiles. They can live both on land and in water. They can be seen not only in the zoo and in wild nature, many keep them at home. These cute animals do not pose any danger to humans, they are harmless.

Turtles appeared about two hundred million years ago. These reptiles have a shell. He protects them from enemies. It consists of two parts: abdominal and dorsal. From above it is covered with horny tissue in the form of plates.

These animals are different sizes . There is giant turtles which can reach 900 kilograms. And there are little turtles. Their mass does not exceed 125 grams, and the length of the shell is only ten centimeters.

Instead of teeth, this animal has a powerful beak. With it, she crushes food.

According to their habitat, turtles are divided into:

  • Freshwater: painted or decorated, European marsh, red-eared, caiman;
  • Marine: hawksbill turtle, leathery, green or soup;
  • Ground;
  • Land: elephant, Egyptian, Central Asian, leopard, Cape;

What do these animals eat?. Their food is completely dependent on their habitat. Land turtles feed on fruits, vegetables, tree branches, mushrooms and grass. And sometimes they can even eat worms and snails.

Water turtles feed on small fish, shrimp, squid, frogs, snails, molluscs, insects, and bird eggs.

Land turtles who live at home eat cabbage, apples, tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, dandelions, chicken eggs. And domestic water turtles love to eat earthworms, boiled meat, bloodworms, insects, algae and lettuce.

The turtle is a long-liver. She will outlive any other representative of reptiles.

crocodiles

Crocodile

The crocodile is the only member of the archosaur subclass. Their body length is from two to seven meters. And the mass can reach more than 700 kilograms. The crocodile is a fairly fast animal in the water. Its speed can reach forty kilometers per hour.

The number of teeth in a crocodile ranges from 70 to 100. It depends on the type of crocodile. The teeth are long and sharp, about five centimeters.

These animals live only in warm countries with humid climate: Africa, Japan, Australia, Bali, North and South America, Guatemala, Philippine Islands.

Crocodile is a predator, so he eats fish, shellfish, birds, lizards, snakes, antelopes, deer, buffaloes, wild boars, dolphins, sharks, leopards, lions, hyenas. These animals can even eat a monkey and a porcupine, a kangaroo and a bunny. And there are times when crocodiles eat their own kind.

Crocodiles live for a long time - a hundred years.

Variety of crocodiles

Crocodiles are divided into three families: true crocodiles, gharials and alligators.

In its turn, Crocodiles of the present family are divided into the following types:

The alligator family is divided into:

  • Mississippi - differ from other species in that it can calmly endure the cold, freezing its whole body into ice.
  • Chinese - rare and a small species of alligators. Its length does not exceed two meters, and it weighs only about forty-five kilograms.
  • Crocodile caiman - otherwise it is called a spectacled crocodile. This is due to the fact that on his face between the eyes there are growths that resemble glasses.
  • Black caiman - pretty large view alligator. Its length reaches 5.5 meters, and it weighs more than 500 kilograms.

The gavial family is divided into:

  • Gangetic gharial. The length of his body reaches six meters, and he weighs only about two hundred kilograms.
  • gavial. The muzzle of this species is narrow and long. The body length is six meters, and the weight does not exceed 200 kilograms.

Tuatara

Most people think that tuatara is lizard. But this is an erroneous opinion. This reptile lived in the era of dinosaurs and forms a detachment of beakheads. This reptile has another name - tuatara.

They live only in New Zealand. In appearance, they resemble an iguana. Internally, the structure looks like a snake. They took something from turtles, and something from crocodiles.

She also has another feature - three eyes. The third eye is located on the back of the head. The length of the tuatara reaches more than fifty centimeters, and it weighs no more than one kilogram.

This amazing animal leads only a nocturnal lifestyle. The breath of the tuatara is slow. She can hold her breath for sixty minutes.

This reptile feeds on insects, snails, and worms. Life expectancy is quite long, about a hundred years.

lizards

Lizards belong to the class of reptiles.. Their diversity is very large - about six thousand species. All of them differ from each other in their size, color, habitat.

Lizards are very similar to newts, but they have many differences. One of the main differences is that the newt is an amphibious animal. An amphibious animal is different from a reptile.

Almost all lizards have a feature- This is the ability to drop your tail in case of emergency. Many lizards can change body color.

Lizards feed on insects: butterflies, snails, grasshoppers, spiders, worms. Large representatives feed on small animals, snakes and frogs.

Lizards are divided into six infraorders:

  • Skin-shaped;
  • Iguanas;
  • Geckos;
  • Fusiform;
  • worm-like;
  • monitor lizards

All these infraorders are divided into families. Skin-shaped are divided into:

iguanas divided into fourteen families. by the most prominent representative of this infraorder is the chameleon.

geckos divided into seven families. Of which an unusual lizard can be distinguished - this is a scale leg. The peculiarity of this reptile is that it has no legs.

Fusiform is divided into five families: earless monitor lizards, fusiform, legless lizards, monitor lizards, xenosaurs.

worm-like lizards are from the same family. These reptiles are similar to earthworms.

monitor lizards consist of several families. They are the most big lizards. For example, a Komodo dragon can weigh over ninety kilograms.

snakes

The snake is a cold-blooded animal, which belongs to the class of reptiles. The weight and size of snakes is different. Their length can reach nine meters, and weight more than one hundred kilograms.

Snakes are venomous and non-venomous. These reptiles are deaf. They navigate through language. It is he who collects information about the environment.

Snakes feed rodents, bird eggs, fish, and some even feed on their own kind. They only eat twice a year.

Snakes are oviparous. Someone lays ten eggs, and someone one hundred and twenty thousand eggs. Some representatives give birth to live cubs.

The variety of snakes is huge. There are more than three thousand species of them.

by the most interesting representatives are the following:

Now you know what reptiles or reptiles are. And who are their representatives.

Reptiles or reptiles are the oldest class of true vertebrates that have settled on land.

Reptiles include different kinds snakes, crocodiles, turtles and lizards.

They were the most major representatives dinosaurs that dominated the earth 150 million years ago.

Animals are direct ancestors despite the fact that they now live in swamps - some of them were able to fly, and elongated scales eventually turned into feathers.

Description

The name of the class comes from the word to crawl - to crawl, dragging the stomach along the ground. This is true - reptiles do not have limbs at all, the rest of them are located almost at the level of the spine.

Appearance

Unlike amphibians, which are wet and slippery to the touch, reptiles always have dry skin. This helps to retain moisture inside the body, which is especially important for the inhabitants of arid regions.

Reptiles description

Reptiles are endowed with perfectly protected skin from external influences, including from the scorching sun, the skin is covered with scales. Snakes and lizards periodically molt, that is, shed the skin from which they grew, and then acquire new skin.

Almost all animals of the reptile class are colored in accordance with colors environment, so as not to become easy prey for predators, and so as not to be too visible to their victims.

The chameleon is famous for the fact that it can change color depending on many factors - temperature, humidity, thirst, emotional state.

Nutrition

Animals cannot chew food, they can only tear it into pieces. And snakes generally swallow their prey whole, and often the size of the victim exceeds the size of the snake itself.

Reptiles of our planet

A snake can do such a trick thanks to the ability to open its mouth very wide, its stomach is able to stretch to incredible sizes.

Habitat

Most reptiles live in warm regions - in deserts, semi-deserts and tropical rainforests.

They can also be found in cooler natural areas, in hardwood and mixed forests, but much less frequently.

Unusual reptiles

This is explained by the fact that the body temperature of reptiles practically does not differ from the ambient temperature. Therefore, reptiles living in cold regions have to warm up in the sun for a long time. AT warm time years they lead an active life, and in the cold they hibernate.

reproduction

Reptiles lay their eggs in a hard protective shell and leave them in nests or simply bury them in the sand.

All of them except, don't care about future fate their cubs - hatched from eggs, they already lead an independent life. Some species of lizards and snakes are viviparous.

Red Book

Almost all types of reptiles are listed in the Red Book, some of them are on the verge of extinction.

Reptiles snakes photo

On the part of the governments of some countries, measures are being taken, special farms are being created for the reproduction of one or another species that is about to disappear. But this will not help much, since many species of reptiles have already been so exterminated by man that it is not possible to restore them.

Lifespan

Due to the fact that all processes in the body of reptiles occur very slowly, their life expectancy is very high. Crocodiles live about 70 years, and turtles - more than 150.

  1. Reptiles are an important link the food chain- they feed on insects and small rodents and thus regulate their quantity. The reptiles themselves serve as food for some.
  2. Snake venom is the basis of many medicines.
  3. Expensive shoes and accessories are made from crocodile and snake skin, and jewelry is made from shells.
  4. For this, reptiles are grown on special farms so as not to reduce their numbers in the wild.
  5. The meat and eggs of crocodiles and turtles are eaten by residents of many tropical countries.