Class Reptilia Classification Flashcards
Order Sphenodontia
tuataras
How many species in order Sphenodontia? Where?
2, New Zeland
What is the oldest living, nearly extinct order?
Sphenodontia
What does Sphenodontia feed on?
insects
what is special about Order Sphenodontia?
they have a parietal eye
parietal eye
“third eye”, middle of forehead, can detect light/dark
Order Testudines
turtles and tortoises
How many species in testudines
300
carapace
dorsal shell, made of bone
plastron
ventral shell, helps form girdles
how many shells does order Testudines have
2, carapace and plastron
why are testudines slow?
their shells inhibit movement
scutes
what covers testudines shells
do testudines have teeth
no, just a beak like structure
how long can a Galapagos tortoise live
100-200 years
turtle characteristics (4)
live in/near water; flat, streamlined shell; paddle like legs; omnivores
tortoise characteristics (4)
live on dry land; high domed shell; short, stumpy legs; herbivores
Order Squamata
snakes and lizards
how many species in order squamata
7,675 species
percentage of all reptiles in this order
Squamata
Suborder Serpentes
snakes
number of species in serpentes
3000