Summary Educators will lead observation and discussion about the different types orders of reptiles and what they have in common and also what makes them different from each other Discussion can lead to ID: 1027242
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1. Reptile Wild Discover Zone
2. Summary: Educators will lead observation and discussion about the different types (orders) of reptiles and what they have in common and also what makes them different from each other. Discussion can lead to dispelling prejudices and fears of reptiles and understanding the positive impact they have on their environmentReptile Wild Discover Zone
3. Objectives: Understand that there are different groups (orders) of reptiles that share common characteristics.Understand that each of the groups (orders) of reptiles is also different from each other through different characteristics.Participate in a discussion about why reptiles are important to the health of their ecosystem.Reptile Wild Discover Zone
4. Reptile Wild Discover Zone Objective: Common Characteristics of Reptiles (slides 4- 21)A variety of body shapes that are covered with scales and plates for protection against desiccation and injury.Most have paired limbs with five toes except snakes.
5. All reptiles are ectothermic.Respiration with lungs, reptiles do not have gills like the larval stage of amphibiansReptile Wild Discover ZoneCommon Characteristics of Reptiles
6. There are four different orders of reptiles, each one is unique….The snakes and lizards The turtles and tortoisesThe crocodiliansThe tuataraReptile Wild Discover Zone Characteristics of Reptiles: The Orders
7. The snakes and lizards comprise approximately 95 % of all living reptiles.Lizards are am extremely diverse group including terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal burrowing and even aerial members.Reptile Wild Discover ZoneOrder: The Snakes and Lizards
8. No legsNo external earsNo eyelids Usually have legs, but not all Have external ears Have eyelidsThe differences in snakes and lizards
9. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneOrder: Snakes and LizardsThe snakes have two specializations that characterize them..an extreme elongation of a legless body and the ability to eat large prey.
10. Lengthened by extra vertebrateInternal organs are modified to allow for such a narrow body planRapid locomotion with three types of crawling, rectilinear, undulation or side windingSerpentine body plan, the unique morphology of snakes
11. Sensory Perception in SnakesFlicking their forked tongue collects chemical molecules that are brought into the mouth and are inserted into the Jacobson’s organ on the roof of the mouth. This organ analyzes the chemical signals
12. The LizardsLizards have radiated into a wide variety of habitats and display an array of behavioral, morphological and physiological adaptations.Keen eyesight (diurnal activity)Water conserving organs (can inhabit deserts)Most with legs, some withoutSeveral venomous speciesBehavioral thermoregulation
13. The LizardsVersatile tongue for sensory perception with Jacobson’s organ, for catching food or as a warning to would be predatorsLocomotion usually on land with developed legs. Lizards can also climb well and many species are arboreal or tree dwelling.Defense through speed, tail shedding, intimidation and/or camouflage.Tail can be voluntarily shed to escape attack. Can regenerate but at a cost in energy, fat storage and even reproduction
14. Turtles and TortoisesTurtles evolved longs before there were mammals, birds, lizards or snakes, over 200 million years ago.
15. Characteristics of TestudinesLacking teeth, a pronounced keratin-made beak is adapted to tear and hold food.Testudines have a varied dietOmnivorous….box turtleHerbivorous…many tortoise speciesCarnivorous…many aquatic species
16. Characteristics of TurtlesLimbs are modified to suit the habitat and behavior of species.Aquatic animals have flattened paddle-like feet for swimming.Land dwelling animals often have elephantine feet for walking on substrate.
17. Characteristics of Turtles and TortoisesTheir unique shell appeared very early. The top is called the carapace and the bottom is the plastron. The dorsal bony carapace (shell) is to protect the species from potential predators but it also helps the turtle buffer tough environmental conditions
18. Crocodiles, Alligators and RelativesComplete separation of arterial and venous bloodTrue cerebral cortex“Third” eyelid as in birdsPosition of nostrils and ears that close when submerged
19. Crocodilia…Crocodiles, Alligators and RelativesLarge compressed tail for swimmingModified appendagesComplex behaviors such as parental care and communication
20. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneOrder: TuataraThe tuatara is a very primitive species with physical characteristics that resemble fossils over 200 million years old. There is only one species
21. The tuatara has a unique “third” eyeReptile Wild Discover ZoneOrder: TuataraThe tuatara is Native to only a few islands near New Zealand
22. Reptiles are important components of the food webs in most ecosystems. They fill a critical role both as predator and prey species. Herbivorous species (plant eating) can be important seed dispersers, particularly on island habitats. They are also known to act as pollinators. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneThe ecological importance of reptiles
23. Removal of any species from its ecosystem can drastically alter the populations of other organisms, but those that have a particularly influential role within an ecosystem are known as keystone species. Top predators, such as the crocodile, are often keystone species, though they also contribute to the food chain as prey while they are still young. Some species are considered critical for the way they modify their habitat. American alligators living in the everglades dig “gator holes”, which are often the only aquatic habitat left during the dry season, providing important refuge for many species of fish, turtle and other aquatic species, as well as a source of water for birds, terrestrial animals and plants. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneThe ecological importance of reptiles
24. Reptile species can also have a useful anthropogenic role in ecosystems. In some areas, they help control the numbers of serious agricultural pests by consuming rodent and insect pests. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneThe ecological importance of reptiles
25. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneA poster showing the “serpentine body plan”, the anatomy of a snake
26. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneA poster showing the four orders of the class of reptiles:The snakes and lizardsThe turtles and tortoisesThe crocodiliansThe tuataras
27. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneA shell of an Eastern box turtle. This is a real shell that was given to the Zoo many years ago from an animal that died of natural causes
28. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneAn acrylic reproduction of a lizard skeleton, not sure what species was the original cast from
29. Reptile Wild Discover ZoneSnake skin sheds and an acrylic mounted snake skeleton.The sheds get tattered and are replaced when necessary.The skeleton is artificial, it is made of a composite material
30. Questions?Reptile Wild Discover Zone