Reptiles Flashcards
What is the taxonomic Class of Reptiles?
Class Reptila
What is the scientific study of reptiles called?
Herpetology
Describe the skin of reptiles and compare it to amphibian skin.
- Dry, scaled with few glands
- impermeable to water
Describe the three main kids of reptile scales (cycloid, keeled, granular)
- Cycloid Scales: smooth and shiny
- keeled Scaled: rough with raised ridge
- Granular Scales: small round bumps
Describe reproduction in reptiles, what structures are used, internal or external, etc
- Internal fertilization
- males has copulatory organ except Tuatara
What method of birth do reptiles use?
Oviparous
Describe reptile eggs by comparing them to amphibian eggs. How are reptile eggs better adapted to survive on dry land?
The egg is amniotic (liquid-filled) and water tight, so it can survive on dry land
Explain the body temperature of reptiles in terms of being ectothermic and poikilothermic.
- Reptiles warm their bodies by basking in the sun, so they are ectothermic.
- They are also poikilothermic.
What is behavioral thermoregulation?
reptiles have some control over their body temperature by moving into the sun to warm up and moving into the shade to cool off when needed.
What kind of heart do most reptiles have?
3 chambered heart
What kind of teeth do most reptiles have?
homodont they are all shaped the alike
What is the taxonomic Order of turtles?
Order Chelonia
Compare tortoises, freshwater turtles, and marine turtles?
- Tortoises: terrestrial, heavy weighted limbs and toes with claws
- Freshwater Turtles: live in ponds, lakes and streams. Flatted shells, webbed toes
- Marine Turtles: live in the sea, flippers, flattened shells, salt excretion glands
Describe the shell of turtles, what is it made of?
- Outer layer keratin
- Inner layer bone
What is the carapace and plastron?
- Carapace: Dorsal side
- Plastron: Ventral side
How do turtles feed? Do they have teeth?
- no teeth
- tough horny beak to bite and tear their food
What is the taxonomic Order of crocodiles and alligators?
Order Crocodilia
Describe how crocodiles are adapted to life in the water
- Their eyes and nostrils are on top of their head.
- Their bodies are flat.
- They have powerful tails and webbed feet for swimming.
- Valves close their ears and nose when under water.
What is significant about crocodiles heart?
4 chambered heart
How do crocodiles feed?
- Carnivorous
- Inertial: toss their food to the back of their throat
How does the incubation temperature determine the sex of the crocodile offspring?
- Male: high temperature
- Female: low temperature
What is the taxonomic Order of snakes and lizards?
Order Squamata
List and explain the differences between lizards and snakes
- Lizards: Have eyelids, 4 limbs (usually), Similar scales dorsal and ventral
- Snakes: No eyelids, No limbs, Large ventral scales called scutes, Forked tongue, Jacobson’s organ
What is Jacobson’s organ and what do snakes us it for?
- to sense odor molecules in the air
- Odor molecules stick to the tongue, and are sensed by Jacobson’s organ when the tongue is retracted.
Describe the teeth of Constrictors, Colubrids, Elapids, and Vipers.
- Constrictors: no fangs. Not venomous
- Colubrids: Elongated grooved fangs in the back of the jaw. Slightly Venomous
- Elapids: Short, un-hinged fangs in front of the mouth. Venomous
- Vipers: Large, hinged fangs in front of the mouth. Venomous
What is the pit of a pit viper and what is it used for?
- Heat sensitive pit
- to find warm blooded prey
Describe 4 characteristics that you can use to identify a rattlesnake.
- wide triangular head
- narrow necks
- rattles on tails
- Pits on heads
Where is snake venom produced?
modified salivary glands
What do snakes use venom for?
for getting food
What is the purpose of enzymes in venom?
to help spread the toxin
What is #1?
Fang
What is #2?
Nostril
What is #3?
pit
What is #4?
Venom duct
What is #5?
Venom gland
What is #6?
Compressor muscle
What snake jaw is this?
Venomous elapid
What snake jaw is this?
Venomous Viper/Pit Viper
What jaw is this?
Venomous Colubrid/Rear fanged
What jaw is this?
Nonvenomous harmless/Lacking fangs
What is #1?
Brain
What is #2?
Accessory Olfactory Bulb
What is #3?
Vomeronasal Nerve
What is #4?
Jacobson’s Organ
What is #5?
Roof of Mouth
What is #6?
Tongue extended
What is #7?
Odor Molecules
What is #8?
Jacobson’s Organ
What is #9?
Tongue Retracted
What is #10?
Odor particles and salivary fluid
