Reptiles

=Article= =[]= This article talks a little about the different types of reptiles found in the rainforest and their natural habitats and diet.

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Reptile Characteristrics
Body Structure dry skin, scales (protecting and water conservation) legs fully under body for mobility Jacobsen's Organ small holes in roof of mouth where tongue is inserted to pick up scents

Body Function
lungs for gas exchange three-chambered heart Echotherems

Reproduction
Internal fertalization External develop in amniotic egg several sacs inside a hard shell that nourish the embryo until it hatches key to reptile success Amniotic egg Yolk-food source for embryo Allantois- rids embryo of waste Amnion-fluid-filled sac that protects the embryo

ReptileTaxonomy
Kingdom-Animalia Phylum-Chordata Subphylum-vertabrata Class-Reptilia Orders: Chelonia, Crocodiles, Squamata

Order Chelonia
Turtles protected by a shell pwerful beak and jaws but no teeth sea turtles have flippers and migrate to lay eggs on land Toroises-Live compleatly on land

Order Crocodilia
Have powerful jaws and lay eggs in nest on the ground Crocodiles- more time spent in water,slender snout Alligators- more time spent on land, broad snout

Order Squamata
Lizards-monitor lizard and Komoto Dragon are largest Geckos are small, noctunal, have pads on their feet to walk on wallls Poisonious lizards includee: Gila monster and Beaded Lizard Snakes- Mosty numerous of all reptiles No limbs Hinged jaws to swallow prey whole Constictors Poisonous with venom