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The reptile
Reptiles have scales that retain moisture and lay amniotic eggs adapted for land. They live in varied habitats except very cold areas as they are ectothermic. All reptiles share scaly skin, claws, lungs, and lay amniotic eggs. Adaptations like strong skeletons and claws allow movement on land while highly developed vision aids predation and predator avoidance. Ectothermy limits habitats but basking and shade-seeking regulate temperature. Lungs and partially divided hearts aid gas exchange. Reproduction is usually oviparous but some are ovoviviparous, protecting eggs inside females.
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Introduction to reptiles, including their scales, habitats, and characteristics like cold-bloodedness.
Adaptations such as strong skeletons and clawed toes help reptiles thrive in dry environments.
Reptiles possess enhanced sensory systems, notably vision and hearing, aiding in predation.
Ectothermic nature requires reptiles to regulate body temperature through environmental means.
Reptiles have efficient lungs and a heart structure that improves oxygen delivery.
Reptile reproduction features internal fertilization and the advantage of amniotic eggs.
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The reptile
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- 2. Characteristics of Reptiles Reptiles were the first vertebrates to live on land Scales keep moisture inside Reptiles eggs DO NOT dry out on land Live in a variety of different habitats Tropical forests, desserts, oceans, rivers, and lakes Are NOT found in very cold regions because they are cold-blooded
- 3. Characteristics of Reptiles •All reptiles share the following characteristics – Bodies covered in scales – Clawed toes – Ectothermic (cold-blooded) metabolism – Lack feathers or any form of hair – An internal skeleton – A heart with a partially divided ventricle – Lungs – Reproduce Internally • Amniotic eggs
- 4. Reptile Movement andResponse The following adaptations allow reptiles to live in dry environments A strong skeleton Claws legs positioned under the body highly developed vision Since Reptiles are cold-blooded this limits their habitat range
- 5. Endoskeleton Reptiles havea strong skeleton made of bone Most reptiles have two pairs of limbs Snakes and some lizards lack legs Legs positioned under the body allow reptiles to move faster and easier on land Reptiles have toes with claws Use claws for climbing and digging Enables reptiles to run quickly over short distances
- 6. Sensory Systems: Vision Vision is an important sense Rely on sight to detect predators and prey Eyes of reptiles are very large and have movable eyelids Snakes and geckos lack movable eyelids Reptiles that are active at night can see very well in the dark
- 7. Sensory Systems: Hearing Hearing is a very important sense organ to reptiles Sound waves first strikes the tympanum (ear drum) and are then transmitted to the inner ear Snakes lack a tympanum They detect ground vibrations through the bones of their jaw
- 8. Sensory Systems: Jacobson’sOrgan Reptiles sticks their tongues out to collect small particles from the air The small particles come in contact with the Jacobson’s Organ The Jacobson’s Organ is a specialized sense organ in the roof of the mouth of many reptiles, it is sensitive to odors Used to “taste” the environment
- 9. Sensory System Snakesare able to detect heat given off by warm-bloodied prey Use heat sensitive pits below each eye The pits allow the snake to detect the distance and direction of the prey
- 10. Body Temperature Control Reptiles are ectothermic They CANNOT heat their own body by using their metabolism A reptile’s body temperature is mostly determined by the temperature of its environment Reptiles may bask in the sun to warm up or seek shade to cool down At very low temperatures reptiles slow down and may not be able to function
- 11. Respiration and Circulation The following adaptations allow reptiles to have more efficient respiration and circulation 1. Lungs with a large surface area 2. A heart that is almost completely divided into four chambers
- 12. Reptile Lungs Reptilelungs have many internal folds, which gives the lungs a large surface area for oxygen exchange Strong muscles in the rib cage allow air to move in and out of the lungs quickly, which increases lung efficiency
- 14. Reptile Heart Theseptum partly divides the ventricle into right and left halves Enables a much better, but still incomplete, separation of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood Oxygen is delivered to the body cells more efficiently in reptiles than in amphibians
- 15. Reptile Reproduction Reptilereproduction occurs through internal fertilization Many reptiles are oviparous: the young hatch from eggs that are laid outside the mother’s body. Some snakes are lizards are ovoviviparous: fertilized eggs remain inside the female’s body for a long time and hatch inside the female This protects the eggs from predators Most reptiles DO NOT care for their young Alligators and crocodiles are an exception
- 16. Amniotic Eggs Anamniotic egg contains both a water supply and food supply Amniotic eggs are key to a reptile’s success as a terrestrial animal They are watertight
- 17. Amniotic Egg Structure The shell and albumen protects and cushions the embryo Also a source of nutrients There are four membranes in the amniotic egg 1. Amnion- cushions the embryo 2. Yolk Sac- contains the embryo’s main food supply, blood vessels attach here 3. Allantois- stores waste and is the embryo’s organ for gas exchange 4. Chorion- allows oxygen to enter the egg and carbon dioxide to leave the egg