Amphibians and Reptiles

Question 1

Amphibians and reptiles are often grouped together. Why? (What is the major characteristic that they share?)

Answer 1

ectothermic - unable to produce own body heat

move in and out of heat sources

Question 2

The word “amphibian” comes from the word “amphibia” which means double-life. Why do we say amphibians lead a double life?

Answer 2

metamorphosis - two body forms during life, water young - land adult

Question 3

The skin of amphibians can be characterized as _______________________.

Answer 3

permeable

Question 4

Define ectothermic.

Answer 4

do not have metabolic control of body temperature

must move in and out of heat sources

Question 5

Most amphibian eggs are laid directly in _______.

Answer 5

water

Question 6

Amphibians have indirect development; explain.

Answer 6

young are different in appearance and structure from adult
move through metamorphosis
example: gills to lungs

Question 7

The young of most amphibians breathe with _____, the adults of most amphibians breathe with ______.

Answer 7

gills, lungs

Question 8

The three amphibian orders are: Type of animals in the order:

Answer 8

Anura - frogs and toads
Caudata - salamanders and newts
Apoda - snakes and reptilian

Question 9

Define neoteny.

Answer 9

retention of larval characteristics into adulthood

Question 10

If a child asks you the difference between frogs and toads, what would you say is generally true?

Answer 10

frogs - moist skin, lay eggs in clusters, webbed hind feet

toads - dryer skin, broader - flatter body, don’t jump as well

Question 11

Do amphibians have teeth?

Answer 11

Some do

Question 12

List three characteristics of amphibians.

Answer 12

permeable skin, ectothermic, lay eggs in water, double life - metamorphosis, carnivorous as adults

Question 13

Describe two ways that coloration helps an amphibian to survive.

Answer 13

camouflage, ward off predators, mimic poisonness creatures

Question 14

How would you respond to a visitor who is concerned about amphibian decline?

Answer 14

skin is permeable and toxins easily absorbed - so dispose of chemicals responsibly, conserve water, plant a garden
remember amphibian decline is an early detector of an unhealthy ecosystem

Question 15

Reptiles breathe with _________________________.

Answer 15

lungs

Question 16

Reptiles have ______________________ which cover their bodies.

Answer 16

scales

Question 17

Reptiles thermoregulate; what does this mean?

Answer 17

use behavior to regulate their body temperature

Question 18

Name two ways reptiles have young and define each.

Answer 18

ov - lay eggs outside the body

ovo - lay eggs inside the body

Question 19

Do reptiles have a cloaca?

Answer 19

yes

Question 20

List three characteristics of reptiles

Answer 20

lungs, scales, eggs, ectothermic, internal fertilization, direct development

Question 21

Name the five reptile orders: Type of animals in the order:

Answer 21

Rhynchocephalia - tuatara
Crocodylia - crocodilians
Chelonia - turtles/tortiso
Squamato - snakes/lizards
Amphisbaena - worm lizard

Question 22

The upper part of the turtle shell is called the _______. The lower part is called the _________. Epidermal scales on the turtle’s shell are called _____________.

Answer 22

carapace
plastaron
scutes

Question 23

Do turtles have teeth?

Answer 23

No - beaks

Question 24

Do turtles bear live young?

Answer 24

No - eggs

Question 25

Do turtles provide maternal care? Explain.

Answer 25

No - bury eggs and leave

Question 26

Most lizards have eyelids which _____________________________.

Answer 26

move to protect

Question 27

Why do some lizards lose their tails? What is this called?

Answer 27

autotomy - defense mechanism against predators

Question 28

Are there any venomous lizards? Explain.

Answer 28

Yes - Jila Monsters - venom in saliva

Question 29

Define the Vomeronasal organ (what is it, and where is it located?)

Answer 29

located on the roof of the mouth

used for smelling and tasting

Question 30

Some lizards are parthenogenetic; what does this mean?

Answer 30

fertilize without the male (Komodo Dragon)

Question 31

What is one important way to distinguish a salamander from a lizard?

Answer 31

salamander has permeable skin

lizard has scales

Question 32

What covers a snake’s eye? Explain.

Answer 32

brille - functions like a self-repairing contact lens

Question 33

Some snakes kill by constriction, some use venom. Explain how each method works.

Answer 33

constriction - suffocate victim to heart failure

venom - injected, disrupts neurotransmitters and kills

Question 34

How is a tuatara different from a lizard?

Answer 34

lack external ears, hook-like extensions on some ribs, has a 3rd eye, two rows of teeth, low body temperature

Question 35

What adaptations do crocodilians have for aquatic lifestyles?

Answer 35

eyes, ears, nose above water and in line on head
tail acts like a rudder
ear flaps when dive
divided ventricle - special chamber in heart so can cut off blood when diving and resting on the bottom

Question 36

Do crocodilians provide maternal care? Is this true of most reptiles?

Answer 36

yes - guard nest and help guide young to the water

Question 37

Describe two ways to distinguish between an alligator and a crocodile.

Answer 37

Alligator - rounded snout, teeth don’t show when mouth closed, colder weather
Crocodile - triangular shaped snout, shows tooth on lower jaw when mouth closed