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What is a reptile? |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Scientists classify animals into certain kinds of groups, such as mammals, amphibians, birds, and more. One of these groups you might be familiar with is reptiles! Examples of reptiles include lizards, snakes, alligators, crocodiles, and turtles.
To be a reptile, an animal has to have certain features -- the most noticeable of which is scaly skin! (As opposed to hair.) Reptiles also all breathe air, have internal (inside) backbones and skeletons, and give birth to their babies by laying eggs. (Although there are a few exceptions of lizards and snakes who don’t lay eggs.)
Reptiles are also well known (and different from mammals) because they are unable to control their own body temperature! This is sometimes known as being “cold-blooded.” When reptiles are feeling cold, they have to find a sunny spot in order to warm up -- their bodies can’t warm up or cool down on their own without help from the environment!
Radical Reptiles!
Think about some animals that are reptiles, and some of the reptilian behaviors you’ve noticed in them! For example, have you ever seen a snake or a lizard “sunning itself” to warm up? Maybe you know someone with a special pet lizard in an aquarium -- most likely the aquarium has a special warm light for the animal to use when its cold!
Reptiles are very similar in lots of ways to amphibians. What are some of the key differences between them that you’ve learned about?
To be a reptile, an animal has to have certain features -- the most noticeable of which is scaly skin! (As opposed to hair.) Reptiles also all breathe air, have internal (inside) backbones and skeletons, and give birth to their babies by laying eggs. (Although there are a few exceptions of lizards and snakes who don’t lay eggs.)
Reptiles are also well known (and different from mammals) because they are unable to control their own body temperature! This is sometimes known as being “cold-blooded.” When reptiles are feeling cold, they have to find a sunny spot in order to warm up -- their bodies can’t warm up or cool down on their own without help from the environment!
Radical Reptiles!
Think about some animals that are reptiles, and some of the reptilian behaviors you’ve noticed in them! For example, have you ever seen a snake or a lizard “sunning itself” to warm up? Maybe you know someone with a special pet lizard in an aquarium -- most likely the aquarium has a special warm light for the animal to use when its cold!
Reptiles are very similar in lots of ways to amphibians. What are some of the key differences between them that you’ve learned about?
