Reptiles, also known as reptiles, are a class of animals, usually terrestrial and vertebrates. It includes creatures such as turtles, crocodiles, lizards, snakes. Several centuries ago they were combined with amphibians, and now they are considered close to birds. Many reptiles are so unique that even a non-professional biologist will be interested in studying this class. What are reptiles? Photos and names, as well as some information about each, posted in our article, will help you figure it out.
Turtles
Perhaps these shelled reptiles are the most famous reptiles. Examples include both terrestrial and marine species, they are found in many countries of the world, and they are often kept at home even by those who are not big fans of the exotic. Turtles appeared two hundred million years ago, it is believed that they evolved from primitive cotylosaurs. For a long time people liked them - they are practically not dangerous animals that evoke associations only with wisdom and calmness. Turtles are the only ones in the class that have a shell. Inside it is bone, and outside it is formed by horny tissue from many individual elements connected by plates. Land tortoises breathe with lungs, andwater - with the help of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. In addition, these animals are unique in that they live longer than any other reptiles. The names of the oldest turtles include species such as the Carolina box tortoise, one of the reptiles captured was 130 years old. However, in the wild, more impressive numbers are possible, just these individuals did not fall into the hands of researchers.
Chameleons
Perhaps, many people, if they are asked to remember the names of reptiles, will not least say about these lizards. Unusual reptiles live on the branches of trees and are known for their unique camouflage. Their skin can change color according to their surroundings. Not surprisingly, chameleons are often kept at home. But it should be borne in mind that these are quite demanding reptiles. Photos and names are not all that you need to study before buying an exotic pet. First you need to deal with the conditions of detention - the chameleon needs a spacious terrarium with floor heating and special lamps, a small pond and a tree, with excellent ventilation, and you will have to buy insects as food.
Iguanas
Listing the names of reptiles that often become domesticated, it is impossible not to mention iguanas. It has become quite popular in recent years, and the number of such pets can be measured in tens of thousands. But do not believe the information that keeping such a lizard is as easy as keeping a cat or a dog. Iguana - finickycreation, the existence of which requires a lot of attention and money. The lizard needs a special terrarium with a special temperature regime, as well as food from fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. If all conditions are met, an iguana can grow up to five kilograms in weight! A unique feature of these creatures is molting - for many reptiles it happens quickly, and for them it sometimes takes weeks.
Crocodiles
These animals are perhaps the most dangerous and frightening reptiles. The names may be different - crocodiles, gharials, alligators, caimans, but in any case, these are creatures from the same order. They originated from reptiles over fifteen meters in length and have been known since ancient times. Paleontologists have discovered traces of ancient crocodiles in Europe, North America, India and Africa. Now their sizes are much more modest, but they still remain the largest of the reptiles. Crocodiles spend most of their lives in the water, sticking out only their eyes, nose and ears. The tail and webbed feet make swimming an easy task, but only the combed variety can swim far out to sea. On land, they build nests, and sometimes they just get out to bask. The names of the reptiles of this order are different, but both the alligator and the crocodile have one thing in common - they are dangerous to humans. The reptile has incredible speed and a strong tail, so a sudden rush can cost the unwary traveler limbs or even life.
Snakes
This is another reptile whose names are known to everyone. They arediffer from other reptiles in the long body shape, the absence of paired limbs, eyelids and external auditory meatus. Separate similar signs can be found in lizards, but all together - only in snakes. Now man knows their three thousand species. The body of a snake consists of three parts - head, body and tail. In some species, hind limbs have been preserved in rudimentary form. Many of them are venomous, with channeled or furrowed teeth, which contain a dangerous fluid that comes there from the salivary glands. All internal organs are elongated, and the bladder is absent. The eyes are covered with a transparent cornea, formed from fused eyelids. In diurnal snakes, the pupil is located transversely, and in nocturnal snakes, it is vertical. Due to the reduced ear, only loud sounds are distinguished.
Snake
The names of reptiles can be very different, despite the fact that they belong to the same order. For example, snakes are snakes, although some believe that this is a separate species. In fact, these reptiles are simply not poisonous. However, they are snakes. They are distinguished by expressive scales with large ribs. Most snakes live near water bodies and feed on fish or amphibians. Less commonly, they manage to catch a small mammal or bird. Already swallows prey alive without killing it. When in danger, reptiles pretend to be dead, and when attacked, they secrete a liquid with an unpleasant odor. For reproduction, snakes look for a pile of plant debris, manure or wet moss.
Varana
These are very famous reptiles, whose names are most often associated with the Komodo variety. In fact, there are seventy species of them, and they do not only live on certain islands. However, they all differ in impressive size - only short-tailed ones reach up to twenty centimeters, and all others can grow up to a meter. But, of course, Komodo are the largest, with a weight of one and a half centners and a length of three meters. That is why they are called dragons. Monitor lizards have tenacious and strong paws, a muscular long tail and large scales. With a long tongue with a bifurcation at the end, lizards smell. The coloration is most often inexpressive, in gray, sandy and brown tones, although juveniles may be striped or spotted. Monitor lizards live in warm countries of South or Central Asia, Africa and Australia. According to their habitats, they can be divided into two groups. The former prefers desert terrain and dry shrubs, while the latter keeps close to the water in the rainforest. Some monitor lizards like to spend time in trees.
Geckos
These are reptiles whose species names are associated with the unique ability to stick to even the smoothest surfaces. A small gecko can climb up a vertical glass wall or even hang from the ceiling. In order to support its weight, the lizard can hold on with one foot. This feature has been surprising people for several millennia - Aristotle tried to unravel the skill of geckos.
Modern science knows the answer - the reptile's fingers have small ridges with thin bristles that help it stay on the surface due to the law of interaction between molecules.
