REPTILES

 

Vertebrates:  "Vertebrates are members of the subphylum Vertebrata, chordates with backbones or spinal columns"  

    

     Chordates possess these 3 characteristics: Notochord, or a rod of vacuolated cells, encased by a firm sheath that lies ventral to the neural tube in vertebrate embryos and some adults. They also have a hollow nerve cord that lies dorsal to the notochord. They also have Pharyngeal pouches. 

 

This shows the characteristics of chordates

 

http://www.bio.miami.edu/~cmallery/150/physiol/c34x2chordates.jpg

 

Ack: http://www.reptileknowledge.com/reptiles.php for the information on the paragraph below

 

     Reptiles are classified into four groups.

 

The first group is Crocodilia which include crocodiles, gharials, (Gavialis gangeticus), sometimes called the Indian gavial or gavial, is one of two surviving members of the family Gavialidae. Which is a long-established group of crocodile-like reptiles with long, narrow jaws. It is one of the three crodilians found in India, the others being the Mugger Crocodile and the Saltwater Crocodile. It is a critically endangered species. The gharial is one of the longest of all living crocodilians).

 

The second group is Sphenodntia which include tuataras (The tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealend which, though it resembles most lizards, is actually part of a distinct lineage, order Sphenodntia. The two species of tuatara are the only surviving members of its order, which flourished around 200 million years ago. Their most recent common ancestor with any other extant group is with the squamates (lizards and snakes). For this reason, tuatara are of great interest in the study of the evolution of lizards and snakes, and for the reconstruction of the appearance and habits of the earliest diapsids (the group that also includes birds and crocodiles).  

 

The third group of reptiles is the Sqaumata which includes lizards, snakes and amphisbaenids ("worm-lizards").  

 

The last, but not least, group is Testudines which include turtles and tortoises.

 

Similaraties:

 

One common characteristic all reptiles have is that they are all cold-blooded which means that if the temperature  is hot they are hot, but if it is cold they are cold. Reptiles' activities depend on the temperature of their blood. So if the temperature is cold they are lifeless but if the temperature is hot and warm they are very active and very much alive!  

 

 

This reptile is Tuatara which is native only to New Zealand.

livesience.com

 

 

This is a Basalisk lizard running on water. 

http://www.bergoiata.org/fe/reptiles/reptiles_csg125_brown_basilisk.jpg

 

 

HABITATS:

 

 

Caimans=They mostly reside in central or south of South America. In fresh water lakes. 

 

Crocodiles usually reside in brackish water, mangrove swamps, and select freshwater habitats. They reside in parts of South America, and parts of North America including Florida.

 

Reptiles are located in temperate and warm areas. 

 

They live on all seven continents which includes more than 8000 species.  

 

They can live in both sea and land biomes. 

 

-Reptiles are very extrodinary creatures, for more information on reptiles click on the URLs' below to watch a video. -enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XJhmC--CbQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1OipbLtbP8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgXpRZwFTA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv6GtzGX__o&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgXpRZwFTA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te_mjmYhZyM&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMT1FLzEn9I

 

 

If you have watched the videos, read the page, and understand it all, please try and answer the following questions.

1.  What are the four groups reptiles are put into?

2.  What is the biological name for the alligator?

3.  What is an Alligator's skin covered in?

4.  What are diapsida, synapsids, and annapsids? 

5.  What are the names of the four groups?

6.  How long have reptiles been along for?

7.  How long can lizards grow to?

8.  Do any reptiles eat insects?

9.  Are some birds reptiles?

10.  True or False. . . . the Tuatara is found in Noth America, South America, and New Zealand?

 

NEED TO KNOW VOCABULARY:

 

Anapsids:The first reptiles on the earth were called anapsids.  The only surviving anapsid is the turtle.  This is because both of them share a similar skull structure.  

 

Synapsids:  Soon after the first reptiles appeared, the group split in two.  One of these branches was was the synapsida.  This classification was based on the skull structure.  Synapsids had two openings in the skull roof.

 

Diapsida:  This branch had two pairs of holes in its skull behind the eyes.  There was a second pair higher up on its skull.  This resulted in lightening the weight of the skull and allowing the bite to more devastating to its victim.

 

The diapsids and later anapsids combined together to create the Sauropsida.

 

 

                           FUN FACTS:) YAY!!!!!!!

 

Reptiles have 2 kidneys.

 

Reptiles appeared on the earth about 200 million years ago.

 

The Gecko is the only lizard with a true voice.

 

Marine iguanas can submerge themselves 50 feet underwater to consume algae. 

 

Some lizards tongues are longer than the entire length of their body.

 

Lizard skin is the same substance that forms human finger nails.

 

Basilisks have enough speed to run on water.

 

Texas horned lizards can squirt blood from their eyes in order to fend off enemies.  This blast can reach up to ten feet.

 

Snakes are the worlds most effective natural rodent control.

 

The reticulated python can reach a maximum length of 30 feet.

 

The venom of the Australian Brown snake is so lethal that only 1/14,000th of an ounce is sufficient to kill a human.

 

RICK, SANTI, AND LUKE  **