Reptiles Flashcards
Do reptiles have internal or external fertilisation?
Internal.
What allowed reptiles to be independent of an aquatic environment?
Amniotic eggs.
What kind of skin do reptiles have?
A dry scaly skin.
When did reptiles appear on land?
Approximately 350 million years ago. Largest land mammals for 200 million years.
How did many amphibians become extinct?
They lost out in competition with reptiles.
How many species of lizards are there in Grenada?
8-9.
How many species of turtle are there in Grenada?
5.
How many species of tortoise are there in Grenada?
1.
How many species of snakes are there in Grenada?
6.
Is the common iguana nocturnal or diurnal?
Diurnal.
What is the scientific name for the common iguana?
Iguana iguana.
What do common iguanas normally eat?
Omnivorous - mangoes, prickly pear, vegetation and sometimes eggs (birds), and carrion.
What kind of habitat does the common iguana live in?
Prefer xeric (dry) habitats but can be found in mesic (moist.)
How many eggs do females lay in a clutch?
They lay up to 45 eggs in April and May.
Are reptiles ectothermic?
Yes.
What are the characteristics of iguanas?
Young iguanas are bright lime green.
Adults are typically shades of grey with banded tail.
Groom (1970) states that they can reach 5’ in length.
What age do female common iguanas mature?
Around 3 years old.
How long does it take for iguana eggs to hatch?
14 weeks.
Are common iguanas often hunted in Grenada?
Yes.
What is the scientific name of the Garmans ground lizard?
Ameiva ameiva
Is the Garmans ground lizard nocturnal or diurnal?
Diurnal.
Is the Garmans ground lizard native to Grenada?
Yes.
What is the Garmans ground lizard preyed upon by?
Mongoose and cats.
What do Garmans ground lizards look like?
Males are brilliant blue while females are brown with buff side stripes.
What is the Garmans ground lizards range?
Species range includes Trinidad and Tobago and Panama through Brazil.
What is the scientific name of the Garmans ground lizard that is found in Grenada and St Vincent?
Ameiva ameiva tobagana
What does the Garmans ground lizard eat?
Omnivorous: insects, young anoles, small mammals, beetles, crickets, snails and some seeds and vegetation
Where does the Garmans ground lizard lay their eggs?
May lay eggs in burrows or in depression in the ground
What is the scientific name for the common wall lizard?
Anolis aeneus.
What are the characteristics of the common wall lizard?
Grey, green or brown coloration with mottled darker brown blotches or spots.
Throat fan or dewlap is whitish to duller green.
SVL = 77mm. (3 inches).
Significantly smaller than Anoles richardii.
What is the distribution of the common wall lizard in Grenada?
Ubiquitous in distribution across Grenada in both xeric and mesic habitats.
How does the common wall lizard capture its prey?
Capturing prey involves watching from an elevated perch followed by sprints to capture prey and return to perch.
Which lizard will Will congregate with other lizards to forage where food or prey is plentiful?
The common wall lizard.
What are the predators of the common wall lizard?
Predators include: tree boas, grackles, cattle egrets, other Anolis lizards (both species), cats etc.
What are the breeding characteristics of the common wall lizard?
Seasonal breeder.
Courtship displays involve a lot of head bobbing and fan displays.
Eggs will be laid in moist soil but will be retained if soil is not moist.
Females lay a single egg every 12 days or so and are laid in the female’s territory.
Hatchlings emerge from August to December 1 inch or so in length (SVL).
What is the scientific name of the crested or tree lizard?
Anolis richardii.
Which lizards population decreases with elevation?
The crested or tree lizard.
Is the crested or tree lizard diurnal or nocturnal?
Diurnal.
What are the aggressive territorial displays made by the crested or tree lizard?
Huffing.
Dewlap extended.
Stretching out.
Tail up and lashing.
Intense bobbing.
What does the crested or tree lizard eat?
Omnivorous: variety of insects as well as berries, snails, worms other anoles, eggs, some vegetation.
Of which lizard is little known about its reproduction cycle?
The crested or tree lizard. Probably similar to the anolis aeuneus.
What are the predators of the tree or crested lizard?
Predators include: broad-winged hawk, tree boas, egrets, etc.
Which lizard does well in human dominated and mediated habitats?
The crested or tree lizard.
What family does the South Antillean Slippery Back Lizard belong to?
Skinks.
What is the scientific name of the South Antillean Slippery Back Lizard?
Mabuya mabouya OR (Mabuya bistriata).
What does a skink look like?
Skinks have very short legs and no defined neck. Some skinks have no legs at all and look and move like snakes.
What does a skink eat?
Slugs, snails, some rodents.
Of which reptile is virtually nothing known about?
Skinks.
Are skinks diurnal or nocturnal?
Diurnal.
Where do skinks tend to live?
Xeric habitat: dry shrub coastal woodlands.
What do skinks tend to eat?
Insects.
How do skinks re-produce?
Reproduction: viviparous (bearing live young) 3-5 embryos per gravid female.
The populations of which reptile in the Grenadines, including Grenada, are in question re: which species they belong to?
Skinks.
What is the family of Underwood’s Spectacled Tegu?
Gymnophthalmidae.
What is the scientific name of Underwood’s Spectacled Tegu?
Gymnophthalmus underwoodi.
What is the range of Underwood’s Spectacled Tegu?
West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, northern South America.
What is the habitat of Underwood’s Spectacled Tegu?
Sandy coastal woodlands just off the beach in leaf litter and trees, dry forest leaf litter.
Grenada found in lowland dry forests.
Semi-fossorial.
What is Parthenogenesis?
Female egg develops without fertilization by sperm.
Which lizard has Parthenogenesis?
Underwood’s Spectacled Tegu.