NATURE IN THE PARK
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  • Home
  • Four Habitats
    • Habitats Description
    • Marsh Introduction >
      • Life in the Marsh
      • Marsh Dynamics
    • Forest Introduction >
      • Life In the Forest
      • Forest Dynamics
    • Open Fields Introduction >
      • Life in the Fields
      • Field Dynamics
    • Creek Introduction >
      • Creek Life
      • Creek Dynamics
  • Photo Gallery
    • Marsh Photo Gallery
    • Forest Photo Gallery
    • Fields Photo Gallery
    • Creek Photo Gallery
  • Geology
    • Park Geology
  • Earth Keeping
    • Restore a Shoreline
    • Care for Longleaf Pine >
      • Plant a Longleaf Pine
      • Good Fire
    • Nest a Bluebird
    • Watch out for invasives
    • Retain Your Stormwater
  • Interpretive Signs Trail
    • Trees in the park
    • Interpretive Signs Trail Map
    • Four Habitats Sign
    • Mammals
    • Birds and Waterfowl
    • Invasive Species
    • Fresh Water Marsh
    • Vernal Pools
    • Reptiles
    • Forest Regeneration
    • Windsor Castle Park Forest
    • Longleaf Pines History
    • Geology Sign
    • Selectively Planted Trees
    • Bluebird Boxes
    • Purple Martins
    • Bald Eagles
    • Small Woodlot
    • Great Blue Herons
    • Stormwater Retention
    • Living Shoreline
    • Saltwater Marsh

More Information about Reptiles

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Click on the sign image to view the QR page for answers and more.
Introduction
Reptiles are a group of animals that include snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and tuataras. Reptiles are characterized by having dry scales that are shed periodically.  All reptiles are tetrapods, which simply means that they have either four limbs (like turtles and most lizards) or are descended from four-limbed animals (like snakes).  Reptiles are vertebrate animals, meaning they have backbones housing spinal cords that run down the lengths of their bodies.  Reptiles breathe through lungs and are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot control their own body temperature. 
Some facts to consider
  • Reptiles differ from amphibians in several ways.  Amphibians have smooth moist skin, not scaly and dry like reptiles.  Amphibians live “double lives” – one in water with gills and the other on land by growing lungs as they age.  Reptiles have soft leathery eggs laid on land or kept in their bodies until they hatch.  Amphibians have soft gel surrounding their eggs without any hard covering and are found in water or damp places.
  • Snakes differ from other reptiles by having no legs, ears, or eyelids, and by possessing only one functional lung. The most notable characteristic of a snake is its long, slender body. A snake’s muscular body and flexible spine allowing it to climb effortlessly, swim, and slip into the smallest spaces. Although snakes lack ears and cannot technically hear, they do have the ability to detect low frequency vibrations from the air and ground.
  • Lizards have dry, scaly skin. They have four legs, clawed feet, and a long tail. Some lizards can grow a new tail, if theirs is broken off.  Some lizards eat bugs and spiders. Others eat plants, small animals, or even other lizards. Most lizards use their eyes to look for food. Some use their sense of smell.  Lizards have jaws with teeth. They also have teeth on the roof of their mouth. Most lizards sleep through the winter. On warm days, they sometimes come out to eat.
Click on the button below to learn more and test your knowledge about reptiles.
Thought Questions

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