Reptiles: animal names with photo

Reptiles, also known as reptiles, are a class of animals, usually terrestrial and vertebrates. It includes such creatures as turtles, crocodiles, lizards, snakes. Several centuries ago they were united with amphibians, and now they are considered close to birds. Many reptiles are so unique that the study of this class will be of interest even to a professional biologist. What are the reptiles? Photos and titles, as well as a little information about each, posted in our article, will help in this sort out.

Turtles

Perhaps, these reptiles with a shell are the most famous animals-reptiles. Examples include both land and sea species, they are found in many countries of the world, in addition, they are often home to even those who are not a big fan of exotics. Turtles appeared 200 million years ago, it is believed that they originated from primitive cotylosaurs. For a long time people liked them - they are practically not dangerous animals, which cause associations only with wisdom and tranquility. Turtles are the only ones in the class that have a shell. Inside, it is bony, and outside it is formed by a horny tissue made up of a number of separate elements connected by plates. Land tortoises breathe light, and water - with the help of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. In addition, these animals are unique in that they live longer than any other reptiles. The names of the oldest turtles include such species as the Karolin box, one of the reptiles caught was 130 years old. However, in the wild, and more impressive figures are possible, just these individuals did not fall into the hands of researchers.

Chameleons

Perhaps, many people, if they are invited to recall the names of reptiles, will not lastly speak about these lizards. Unusual reptiles live on tree branches and are known for their unique camouflage. Their skin can change color accordingly environment. Not surprisingly, chameleons are often kept at home. But it is worth considering that these are quite demanding reptiles. Photos and names - not all that you need to study before buying an exotic pet. First you need to deal with the conditions of the maintenance - the chameleon needs a spacious terrarium with floor heating and special lamps, a small pond and wood, with fine ventilation, and as a forage it is necessary to buy insects.

Iguanas

Listening the names of reptiles that often become domestic, you can not forget the iguanas. It has become very popular in recent years, and the number of such pets can be measured in tens of thousands. But do not believe the information that keeping such a lizard is as simple as a cat or a dog. Iguana is a fastidious creature whose existence requires a lot of attention and money. A special terrarium with a special temperature regime is needed for the lizard, as well as a feed of fresh vegetables, fruits and greens. If you comply with all conditions, the iguana can grow up to five kilograms! A unique feature of these creatures is molting - many reptiles have it quickly, and they sometimes take weeks.

Crocodiles

These animals - perhaps the most dangerous and frightening reptiles. The names can be different - crocodiles, gavials, alligators, caimans, but in any case they are creatures from one unit. They originated from reptiles measuring more than fifteen meters in length and are known from ancient times. Paleontologists have discovered traces of ancient crocodiles in Europe, North America, India and Africa. Now their size is much more modest, but they still remain the largest of the reptiles. Most of life crocodiles spend in the water, exposing only the eyes, nose and ears from it. The tail and paws with membranes make swimming an easy task, but only a comb-like species can swim far into the sea. On land they build nests, and sometimes they just choose to get warm. The names of the reptiles of this detachment are different, but the alligator and the crocodile are united by one thing - they are dangerous to humans. The reptile has incredible speed and a strong tail, so a sudden throw can cost an imprudent traveler of limbs or even life.

Snakes

This is another reptile, whose names are known to everyone. They differ from other reptiles with a long body shape, absence of paired extremities, eyelids and external auditory meatus. Separate similar signs can be found in lizards, but all together - only for snakes. Now people know their three thousand species. The body of the snake consists of three parts - the head, trunk and tail. In some species in the rudimentary form, hind limbs have been preserved. Many of them are poisonous, with channeled or grooved teeth, which contain a dangerous liquid that enters from the salivary glands. All internal organs differ in elongated shape, and the bladder is absent. The eyes are covered by a transparent cornea, formed from the fused eyelids. In snakes, leading the daily way of life, the pupil is located transversely, and at night - vertically. Because of the reduced ear, only loud sounds are distinguished.

Diners

The names of reptiles can be very different, even though they belong to the same order. For example, snakes are snakes, although some believe that this is a separate species. In fact, these reptiles are simply not poisonous. Nevertheless, it is a snake. They are distinguished by expressive scales with large ribs. Most of the snakes live near the ponds and feed on fish or amphibians. Less often they manage to catch a small mammal or a bird. Already swallows prey alive, without killing her. In danger of reptilia, they pretend to be dead, and when attacked, they give off a liquid with an unpleasant odor. For reproduction, the squirrels are looking for a bunch of plant debris, manure or wet moss.

Varans

These are very famous reptiles, whose names are most often associated with the Komodo variety. In fact, there are seventy species, and they live not only on certain islands. However, they all have impressive sizes - only short-tailed reach up to twenty centimeters, and all the others can grow up to a meter. But, of course, Komodskie are the largest, with a weight of one and a half centners and a length of three meters. That's why they were called dragons. The lizards have tenacious and strong paws, a muscular long tail and large scales. A long tongue with a bifurcation at the end of the lizard smells. Coloring is most often inexpressive, in gray, sand and brown tones, although young individuals can be striped or spotted. Varans live in warm countries of South or Central Asia, Africa and Australia. By their habitats, they can be divided into two groups. The former prefers desert terrain and dry bushes, while the latter keeps close to the water in the rainforest. Some lizards like to spend time on trees.

Geckos

These are reptiles whose species names are associated with a unique ability to stick even to the smoothest surfaces. A small gecko can climb a vertical glass wall or even hang on the ceiling. In order to maintain its weight, the lizard can hold one foot. This feature surprises people for several millennia - the skill of geckos tried to solve Aristotle.

Modern science knows the answer - on the fingers of the reptile there are small ridges with thin bristles that help it to stay on the surface thanks to the law of interaction between molecules.