Reptiles

What is a reptile? 

Reptiles, such as lizards, are vertebrates. Look at the skeleton of a lizard below. Can you see the backbone?

Reptiles have the following things in common:

• They have dry scaly skin
• They are cold blooded: The body tempertaure of a reptile depends on the temperature of its environment. If their environment is cold, their body temperature is cold. If their environment is warm, their body temperature is warm.
• They breathe air using their lungs: Reptiles which live in water must come to the surface to breathe.
• They lay eggs with rubbery shells: Most reptiles lay eggs with rubbery or leathery shells. However a few reptiles give birth to live young.

Examples of reptiles

Animals such as lizards, snakes, alligators and turtles are all reptiles. Look at the pictures of reptiles below:

_{Iguanas and all other lizards are reptiles.}

_{Turtles and tortoises are reptiles.}

_{Crocodiles and alligators are reptiles.}

_{Snakes are reptiles. Can you see the scales covering this snake?}