Reptiles

Reptiles

Definition:

Reptiles (lat. Reptilis = "to crawl") are an estimated 10,000 species of the vertebrate species. The first reptiles inhabited the planet more than 300 million years ago in the geological age of Perm.

Often there is a confusion between reptiles and amphibians. In fact, there are some similarities with the class of amphibians, i.a. Poikilothermie. A clear differentiator is the metamorphosis. While amphibians change their outward appearance as part of their metamorphosis, reptiles are already hatching in their final 'form' and therefore no longer changing.

Reptiles are divided into four orders:

 1-) Bridge lizards (considered as 'living fossils')

 2-) Crocodiles (alligator, caiman, crocodile)

 3-) Turtles

 4-) Scaly crawlers (all snakes)

Incidentally, even the extinct dinosaurs belong to the class of reptiles.

Characteristics of reptiles:

All reptiles (reptiles) have common features, including u.a. Four-leggedness, poikilothermia and pulmonary respiration. Occasionally, however, there may be deviations. This means that not all features listed here necessarily apply to a reptile.

* Breathing: Reptiles breathe through the lungs (pulmonary breathing)

* Legs: All reptiles have four legs. In snakes, however, these are regressed so far that they are virtually undetectable.

* Egg: The eggs of the reptiles are surrounded by a calcareous shell, so that no water escapes. This is the only reason why reptiles can lay their eggs ashore.

* Birth: Some reptiles lay eggs, others give birth to their offspring (for example, sea snakes).

* Reproduction: In almost all reptiles, reproduction takes place in the context of copulation, so that the eggs are fertilized in the reptiles.

* Skin: Reptile skin is usually dry.

* Listen: Reptiles do not have a good ear. They have the so-called Jacobsonsche organ, with which they can perceive very fine odors.

* Kloake: Reptiles have only one outlet for the urethra and anus, the so-called cloaca.

* Poikilotherm: The ambient temperature determines the body temperature. Swarming animals such as the reptiles can not move when temperatures are too cold.

* Shed: Horn scales or horn plates form a shell against mechanical effects.

* Tail: All reptiles have a tail or a rudiment of a former tail.

* Vertebrate: As a vertebrate, reptiles have a spine.

List of reptiles:

Angel of the Gods, alligator, bearded dragon, slow-worm, chameleon, lizard, Galapagos giant tortoise, inland taipan, caiman, rattlesnake, king python, corn snake, adder, crocodile, iguana, grouse crocodile, grass snake, turtle, black mamba, sea snake, viper, waran

Summary

Reptiles are also known as reptiles. Currently about 10,000 different species are known.

Bridge lizards, crocodiles, turtles and scaly crawlers make up the four orders within the class of reptiles

Dinosaurs belong to phylogenetics reptiles.