What is a Reptile?

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The reptiles belong to one of the 6 groups in which we classify animals. Reptiles are further divided in 4 main groups, turtles and tortoises, lizards and snakes, crocodiles and alligators, and the tuatara.

They are cold-blooded vertebrates that about 340 million years ago diverged from the ancestral amphibians.

Early reptiles were able to colonize terrestrial habitats because of 2 fundamental adaptations not present on amphibians, laying hard-shelled eggs and scales covering their body.

Their scales protected them from abrasion and loss of moisture, and the hard-shelled eggs provided a great protection in which the embryo could develop.

All reptiles share some common characteristics:

They are vertebrates like mammals, meaning they have a backbone or spine.

Unlike “warm-blooded” mammals, reptiles are "cold-blooded", and can't regulate their body temperature internally. They are dependent on sunlight to become warmer and active.

They are covered with scales and don't have hair on their bodies.

They have lungs for breathing just like mammals.

Here are some of the reptiles found on this site

Nile monitor

Perentie

The Nile monitor (Varanus Niloticus) is found in sub-Saharan Africa, they species has adapted to a variety of habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to savannas.

They aren't found in desert areas, and will live always near water sources, such as rivers, lakes, wetlands or coastal areas.

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The perentie (Varanus giganteus) found in central and Western Australia is usually considered the 4th largest lizard in the world.

They are also known as the perente and are the biggest monitor lizard or goanna found in Australia.

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Did You Know?

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) got its name from Alexander the Great who exported them back to Europe.