Many reptiles have scaly skin.
Reptiles come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and live in almost every climate in the world. They share many similar characteristics, while also fitting into distinct subcategories that highlight their unique habits and attributes. For anyone interested in animals, learning about reptiles is essential.
Common Features
Certain characteristics are shared by almost all reptiles, including rough skin often covered by scales, reproduction by egg laying, a cold-blooded metabolism and lungs for breathing. Most reptiles are carnivorous, with a considerably slower digestive rate than mammals. They also have a much lower energy requirement compared to mammals and in some cases can sustain themselves for weeks on one meal.
Alligators and Crocodiles
This category of reptiles is well known for its size, power and ferocious hunting habits. The main differences between alligators and crocodiles are in the shape of their jaws and their preferred habitat. Crocodiles have more pointed snouts and are more suited for saltwater. Alligators have more rounded snouts and prefer freshwater. They both have insatiable appetites and can eat up to half of their body weight in one meal.
Lizards
Lizards vary greatly in size and are closely related to snakes. They have small heads, a long body and equally long tails. They can live in a variety of places, including trees, under ground or in water. Geckos, iguanas and chameleons are examples of more commonly known and researched lizards. Reptiles from the dinosaur era are in many ways very similar in appearance to modern-day lizards.
Turtles and Tortoises
This category of reptiles is known for slow movement and hard shells made of bone that can be used defensively. Turtles spend most of their life in the water, while tortoises are typically land dwellers. They also have different types of feet: Turtles have flippers for swimming while tortoises have stumps for walking. Both enjoy an omnivorous diet of plants, fish, insects, worms and snails.
Snakes
Most snakes have no arms or legs, with the exception of primitive snakes like pythons and boa constrictors, which have nonfunctional nub-like bone remnants under their skin. Snakes tend to be extremely quick and agile, often using venom to paralyze their prey or creatures they perceive to be threats. Commonly known species of snakes include rattlesnakes, gardener snakes, cobras, anacondas, pythons and boa constrictors. Although a fear of snakes is not uncommon, snakes actually can be very useful in keeping rodent and other pest populations under control.
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