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Reptilia

By: Kevin Kretzenger

Chelonian Squamata Rynochphalia Crocodilian

Welcome to the magnificent and somewhat under loved class, Reptiles. The Class Reptilia is a very interesting once you really take a close look like at a fancy jewel. They are mostly ectothermic poikilothermic animals that have a vertebrate and a lung(s). On a more anatomical scale they have a 3 or 4-chambered heart, hard scales that are made of keratin (the material that your hair andnails are made of), and internally fertilize the eggs. They also have (or had in evolutionary history) paired legs each with 5 toes and have amniotic eggs. Reptiles live on land but some are partially aquatic.jjjjjjjj

The turtles are the most ancient surviving lineage of reptiles. They are in the order Chelonian. Their shells are (if they’re land) are domed and if they’re aquatic it is very streamlined. Shells aren’t a different piece of the body they are in fact an extension of the ribcage. All turtles are toothless but not all put their heads in their shell the same way. Some bend them to the left (side necked) and then take them in while others pull their head in the shell straight backwards (hidden necked). Turtles have no teeth in their jaws but horny bumps. Top of Page
	Squamata is the 2 nd oldest surviving lineage of reptiles to evolve. This order is comprised of lizards, worm lizards, and snakes. These sub orders are Sauria (lizards), Amphisbaeria (worm lizards), and Serpentes (snakes). They all have overlapping scales and a hinged jaw with 5 joints, which makes them able to consume larger than their mouths. Sub order Serpentes is able to completely unhinge its jaw when eating very large prey. Top of Page
Rynochephalia is the third surviving lineage of reptiles to have evolved. There are two remaining species in this order and they’re extremely endangered. Tuataras, as they are better known, have a third eye in the back of its head. Scientists don’t know what this sightless eye is used for but some think it might have to do with it keeping its temperature at a stable zone because unlike all other reptiles they function more efficiently in cooler temperatures. Tuataras are also nocturnal animals so they can function better and hunt better. The tuatara in appearance looks very similar to the iguana. They’re about 80 cm long and have spines running along its head and vertebrate. The teeth are very peculiar in they are attached directly to the head. Both species live up to about 77 years of age and become sexually mature at about age 20. They mate in January and lay between 7-15 eggs per clutch. These eggs are incubated for up to 16 months (6 months longer than you). Top of Page
	Crocodilia is the 4 th to have evolved from ancient reptiles. These reptiles are semi-aquatic and have non-overlapping scales. Even though their eyes are immobile their necks aren’t very mobile. The Crocodilians have 3 eyelids to keep the mud, dirt, and water out of their eyes. They’re ectothermic poikilotherms so they must constantly stay warm. The temperature determines their sex when they’re being developed inside their egg. Flaps of skin cover the ears of the crocodilian and their nostrils are separated from the mouth by a bone. A crocodilian reaches sexual maturity when it is the proper size and is old enough. They could be the correct age but not the correct size to be sexually mature. Fat is stored in the tail, back and other areas near there. Crocodilians hunt in a method called ambush hunting in which the predator hides out for prey to come by and then in one strike attempts to kill the prey.

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