Reptiles are air-breathing animals with scales instead of hair or feathers.
Examples include lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles. Many reptiles live a long life, such as tortoises and alligators. Their tough shells protect them from predators, and some have been known to live for 180 years or more!
1. They are cold-blooded
Reptiles are known as cold-blooded creatures due to their inability to generate their own heat. Instead, they regulate their body temperature through movement and changes in the environment.
Most of these organisms rely on peripheral nerve endings on their skin to sense changes in temperature. They also orient their small heads towards the sun to avoid heat absorption and open their mouths to evaporatively cool their brains.
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2. They can go months without eating
Reptiles don’t need to eat often due to their lower resting metabolic rate.
This means they use less energy than mammals and birds of similar weight. Some species, like ball pythons and rattlesnakes, have the remarkable ability to go months without eating! This feat is even more amazing when you consider how they manage it.
3. They can change their color
Reptiles can alter their color to attract mates, warn rivals, regulate body temperature, or hide from intruders. Chameleons are the most well-known examples of reptiles that exhibit this trait, but many other species also do so.
They accomplish this by altering the distribution of skin pigments such as melanin and creating transparent crystal formations that reflect light. These changes don’t take place instantly; rather, they are caused by certain conditions or situations.
4. They have nostrils
Reptiles breathe air through their nostrils, having a different breathing system from amphibians since their lungs contain small sacs called alveoli that exchange gasses.
Ichthyosaurs like Simbirskiasaurus possess bipartite nostrils or openings on either side. A vertical bony pillar descends from the nose to divide this opening into two halves.
5. They can flick their tongues in the air
Reptiles are cold-blooded creatures with scales on their skin that lay eggs.
Snakes and lizards can sense chemicals in the air by flicking their tongues. This allows them to gather tiny particles and bring them back to a special organ inside their mouths that interprets scent information.
Animals possess an inquisitive behavior that helps them detect airborne pheromones and substrate chemicals, giving them vital information about their environment.
6. They have flexible skulls
Reptiles are a group of animals that share many characteristics with amphibians and fish but differ in some respects. One notable distinction is their flexible skulls which enable them to develop their brains over time.
All reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs in their nests and wait for the egg to hatch.
However, some lizards and snakes give birth to live young.
7. They can go months without eating
Reptiles typically have a low resting metabolic rate, allowing them to conserve energy by staying cool or moving when not needed.
Hibernation in reptiles is similar to hibernation in mammals; an animal shuts down its metabolism and slows their heart rate in order to conserve energy. Alligators often go months without needing food, allowing them to survive off of stored fat reserves.
8. They can swim under the ice
Many cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians seek shelter under the ice during wintertime, but prolonged oxygen deprivation is deadly for them.
Researchers have recently discovered that some lizards can remain underwater for nearly 20 minutes by trapping air in a bubble on their snouts. This remarkable behavior helps these reptiles stay alive.
9. They can eat eggs
Eggs are a staple in many reptile diets. Not only are they high in protein, which supports growth and development, but they provide essential nourishment as well.
They’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Calcium in particular is vital for strong bones and shells.
Though legumes are an excellent source of protein, they should only be given in moderation to prevent obesity and other health issues. Be sure to cook them thoroughly before giving them to your pet reptile.
10. They can flick their tongues in the air
Snakes use their tongues to detect chemical particles in the air and follow scent trails left by prey or potential partners.
The tongue does not smell or taste; rather, it collects chemicals from the air and transfers them to Jacobson’s Organ. This organ then converts smell signals into electrical signals which are sent back to the brain.
More interesting facts you will find on the ReptileEmpire website.