Reptiles

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 * __Characteristics__**

-Body Structure -small holes in roof of mouth where tongue is inserted to pick up scents.
 * Dry skin, scales (protection & water conservation)
 * Legs fully under body for mobility
 * Jacobsen's organ

-Body Function
 * Lungs for gas exchange
 * three-chambered heart
 * ectotherms

-Reproduction -Several sacs inside hard shell that nourish the embryo until it hatches -Key to reptile success
 * Internal fertilization
 * External development in amniotic egg
 * Main reason for successful transition to land

__** -Reptile Taxonomy **__ Kingdom: Animilia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: vertebrata Class: Reptilla Orders: Chelonia, Crocodilia, squamata

-Chelonia -Protected by a shell - Powerful break and jaws but no teeth - Live completely on land
 * Turtles
 * Sea turtles have flippers nad migrate to lay eggs on land
 * Tortoises

-Crocodilia - More time in water - Slender snout - More time on land - Broad snout
 * Have powerful jaws and lay eggs in nests on the ground
 * Crocodiles
 * Alligators

-Squamata - Monitor lizards & komodo dragons are largest - Geckos are small, nocturnal; have pads on their feet to walk on walls - Posionous lizards include: Gila Monster (Southwest U.S) Beaded Lizard (Mexico) - Most numerous of all reptiles - No limbs - Hinged jaws to swallow prey whole - Constructors (boas, pythons, anacondas) - Poisonous (rattlesnakes, cobras, vipers) w/ venom that could destroy blood cells or nervous system
 * Lizards
 * Snakes

A turtle peeking out of his shell. A snake waiting to bite into his prey. tomlin, Connor. "Reptiles." //Bee For Me//. N.p., 2 Mar. 2005. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. .