게코도마뱀 Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth. They include crocodiles, alligators, tuatara, lizards, snakes and turtles.
Rough horny layers of scales or bony plates cover their bodies. Their skin sheds regularly and helps them adapt to drier ecosystems.
They are oviparous, giving birth to eggs. Many lizards and snakes can be sexed by inserting a probe into their body cavities.
They’re Easy to Care For
Reptiles are not the first exotic animals that come to mind when thinking of a pet, but they can make great companions. Most are easy to care for, and some even adapt well to captive environments. However, it’s important to consider the unique needs of reptiles before you bring one into your home.
Most reptile species live on land or in dry habitats, and they lay eggs on the ground. They have a number of adaptations to their environment, such as scales, leathery shells, permeable skin, and lungs. Their lungs allow them to breathe in air from the surface of water or dry land, and they can also take in oxygen through their skin.
Although some reptiles are carnivorous, the green anole and eastern box turtle are both omnivores that can survive on a diet of vegetables or cheap feeder insects. These 게코도마뱀 reptiles are small in size, inexpensive to feed, and don’t require a large enclosure in captivity. They are skittish and don’t want to be handled, but they are active and entertaining to watch.
The bearded dragon looks ancient and fierce, but it is an opportunistic omnivore that thrives on a variety of foods, including plants and meats. They have short digestive tracts, and their slower metabolism allows them to eat relatively little food to sustain them through the day. They are also oviparous, laying eggs that hatch into male or female babies.
They’re Quiet
Reptiles are known for their quiet, slithery movements. They also have a tendency to be more solitary than some other types of pets, although this is not always true.
With the exception of snakes (see our Dangerous Snakes of the World Worksheet), crocodiles and lizards, most species of reptile are ectothermic (cold-blooded) creatures that use environmental conditions to regulate their internal body temperature. They do this by basking in the sun or moving between shade and sunlight, and by preferential circulation — pushing warm blood to their core and cooling blood to the periphery.
Some reptiles, such as the worm-like genus Amphibiania, produce their own heat by metabolizing food. However, most reptiles do not generate enough heat by this means to maintain a constant body temperature and must therefore rely on other methods, such as absorbing and losing ambient temperatures.
Scientists have found that some reptiles, such as the Tokay geckos of Asia, create sound to communicate with other animals. In a study conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, researchers discovered that the Tokays increased their GECK-calls and O-calls when exposed to noise, which shows that reptiles are able to adjust their calls depending on their surroundings, similar to the vocal communication abilities of mammals and birds.
Understanding this aspect of reptile behavior may help people develop more empathy for these creatures, particularly snakes and lizards that face so much persecution. It might also help to lessen the aversion that many have to keeping these creatures as pets, which can be a rewarding experience for both parties.
They’re Fun
Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates covered in special skin made up of scales, bony plates or a combination of both. They include crocodiles, snakes, lizards, tortoises and tor-toises, as well as birds (though we don’t usually consider them reptiles). They all have slow metabolisms and leathery or hard shelled eggs. They’re cold-blooded and lack sweat glands to help them regulate body temperature, so they must rely on the sun and other sources of heat to stay warm.
They also have short digestive tracts and, with the exception of some herbivores, eat meat. That means they need to consume large meals and have much slower metabolisms than us. That’s why you can find some snake species, like the anaconda or reticulated python, that can go months without eating.
Most reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs, while some are viviparous and give birth to live young. Some reptiles, like the alligator or crocodile, lay both kinds of eggs.
There are some pretty cool things about reptiles, like the fact that they can shed their skin and regrow it later. This helps them grow new skin to deal with any injuries they may have sustained. There are also some lizards out there that will drop their tail and then regrow it, which can be an effective defense mechanism against predators.
They’re Cheap
Reptiles are often a great option for families because they are quiet, relatively easy to care for and are an affordable pet. Having said that, it is important to research the specific species and the care requirements before purchasing one. This will help ensure that your reptile is healthy, happy and safe in their new home.
The reptile family (Reptilia) is a group of scaly-skinned back-boned vertebrates that includes snakes, lizards, and turtles. They are able to live in most habitats including grasslands, swamps, forests, deserts and oceans. Reptiles have a special ability to regulate their internal body temperature by losing and absorbing heat from the environment. This allows them to survive in a variety of climates, unlike mammals and birds that need to burn food for warmth.
Many reptiles are specialized predators. They have developed senses like a keen eye to detect their prey. Some have even adapted to hunting in the dark using special light-sensitive glands on their nose and mouth. This adaptation is particularly useful for chameleons and other Madagascar-based species that hunt insects by slowly creeping forward until their insect prey is within range.
Some reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs, while others are viviparous and give birth to live young. For example, the Indian star tortoise is a popular pet that gives birth to live young. Most reptiles also have highly developed lungs to allow them to breathe despite their thick scaly skin.