Reptiles are often portrayed as cold-blooded, emotionless, and dangerous. But there's more to our scaly friends than meets the eye. After getting to know each other more closely, it may turn out that they are not always who we see them as.
Dancing Caiman
We suppose that reptile breeding is a relatively dull affair, if any of us even think about it. But a quick glance at Yacare's caiman changes things. Yacare caimans are small crocodiles that inhabit open rivers in the Amazon region. During the breeding season, male caimans engage in elaborate dances on the river. They practice water aerobics to establish dominance and order.
Safe toothy giant
Sometimes, a species may change under evolutionary pressure to occupy a new niche. Unique to India, gharials have a surprisingly long, needle-like snout and many sharp teeth. Gharials have never been responsible for any human casualties as their bite is extremely weak and their behavior is much less aggressive than typical crocodile hunting. The gharial can appear extremely creepy, or even funny at times. Unfortunately, these reptiles are endangered due to a variety of reasons, including human interference, siltation and water pollution.
Egg-eating snakes
African egg-eating snakes raid nests for birds' eggs, which they swallow whole with their elastic jaws. Lacking traditional teeth, these “soft-mouthed snakes” have gnarled knobs along their heads. Once the egg is swallowed, these “back teeth” saw through it as they move towards the stomach. Egg eaters are truly bizarre, but fortunately these snakes pose no danger to humans. 
Crocodile tears
Crocodiles are often referred to as the heartless killers of reptiles. However, their predatory image life does not reveal the whole picture. Crocodiles are especially good care about its young, protecting its offspring, just like any other mammal. Interestingly, humans are usually at the bottom of the list of crocodile culinary preferences, becoming victims only in exceptional circumstances. And there are even stories of friendship between man and reptile. For example, Poncho, an American crocodile, was found and rescued by a fisherman in Costa Rica. Over the following years, the man developed a relationship with the crocodile, who not only recognized him, but also swam with him, played with him and did not harm him in any way. 
False snake
Exist legless lizards, which many confuse with snakes. However, close examination will reveal a more lizard-like head, ear canals behind the eyes, or longitudinal stripes - all features of lizards rather than snakes. Some legless lizards can grow to long lengths- more than one meter in some cases. These reptiles hunt a wide range of prey and compensate for the lack of venom with a fairly strong bite. 
Residual snake paws
Religious stories may tell how "evil" snakes were cursed and lost their legs, and evolutionary biologists do believe that snakes once had legs. However, this change is rather caused by environmental pressures and natural selection- the absence of limbs became an advantage. More advanced species of snakes, such as vipers, have no limbs at all, but primitive snakes retain a pelvic girdle, with small appendages and tiny claws. 
Horned lizards
True horns are characterized by their bone-like structures surrounded by hardened keratin. This is the same type of material found in human nails. Jackson's three-horned chameleon is a bizarre looking reptile that appears prehistoric in appearance, inhabiting the forests of East Africa. The projections from the head of this reptile are three significant horns, which have much in common with the horns of mammals. The horns of this lizard are used in disputes with competitors. 
Alligators and birds
Large enough to attack a person, the American alligator is seemingly the worst nightmare of herons, flamingos, storks and other aquatic birds. However, by wading through vegetation and trampling algae, alligators create large pools that remain flooded during the dry season. These areas attract a large number of fish that these birds can hunt. 
Canadian boa constrictor
Snakes of the family Boidae, including boas and anacondas, are the main characters in movie scenes in tropical forests, exciting the imagination of tourists. A small species of boa constrictor in the family Boidae inhabits select areas of British Columbia in Western Canada. Its range extends halfway to the Alaskan border. The Canada boa can grow to a length of over 0.5 meters. Strangely for a snake, it prefers colder temperatures and doesn't like it when the temperature gets too high. The rubber boa has the ability to regulate its own temperature, which is rare in reptiles. The creature closely resembles a miniature anaconda, but its tail is thicker, slightly reminiscent of a second head. It is designed to confuse potential predators as well as prey. Rubber boas hunt a variety of small animals and can live up to 70 years. 
Fancy turtles
Turtles belong to the tortoise family. There are both water-dwelling and land turtles. Some of them have extremely strange features. They may resemble a clam, but unlike the inert shell of oysters, their scutellum is actually complex structure bones that developed from the ribcage of their ancestors. Stranger is also the lack of a normal diaphragm in order to breathe. As a result, turtles are unable to cough, making them vulnerable to infection. There are no vocal cords, but hisses and roars can be produced by air pressure in many varieties. Finally, certain species attract their prey using their tongue, like a worm-like bait. These ancient creatures have a veritable array of new and bizarre features. 
The oldest animals that appeared on our planet thousands of years ago are reptiles. Forked tongue, scales, extraordinary strength and sharp teeth terrify many people. This amazing creatures and there are many interesting facts associated with them.
Interesting information
Reptiles existed back in the Mesozoic, and then they were dominant on land, in the air, and in water. Nowadays, their number is about 8,000 species.
They live on all continents except Antarctica, and are rightfully considered long-livers. For example, some turtles live 150 years or more, and alligators live up to 70 years.
These are cold-blooded creatures. They, like amphibians, bask in the sun, since their physiological processes depend on this, they are cold-blooded, that is, their body temperature is very dependent on environment. And this main feature, which distinguishes them from mammals.
Interestingly, keratin, a substance found in human nails and hair, is also found in the shells and scales of reptiles. And their muscles are better developed than those of amphibians.
Reptiles include the following types animals:
- lizards;
- snakes;
- crocodiles;
- turtles.
There is also a hatteria, sole representative beaked reptiles.
The only representative of beaked reptiles is the hatteria.
Lizards
Lizards see everything in yellow-orange color, and in case of danger they can get rid of their tail, leaving it in the teeth of a predator. The most amazing lizards include the chameleon, basilisk, moloch, belt-tailed lizard, flying dragon and of course the Komodo dragon.
The Komodo dragon is the most big lizard living in our time. It can reach three meters in length and is capable of attacking a deer, knocking it down.
Komodo dragon
Everyone knows that chameleons are able to change color and blend in with their environment. They do this for the sake of camouflage. However, in this way they not only camouflage themselves, but also communicate with their relatives.
The Basilisk has interesting ability. Fleeing from enemies, he stands on his hind legs and runs through the water. Then he dives and spends several minutes underwater.
Moloch accumulates dew and raindrops on the surface of his body. Then he drinks the accumulated liquid, which enters his mouth through special channels. The belttail, escaping from danger, curls up into a ring and straightens its spines. And the flying dragon has skin projections on its sides, with the help of which they can glide from tree to tree.
The black iguana, which reaches speeds of up to 35 kilometers per hour, is the fastest of the lizards.
Snakes
Interesting facts about reptiles - snakes, they are also called reptiles. Incredibly, the snake’s skull is not one whole, but consists of many bones movably connected to each other. This feature allows them to open their mouths very wide and swallow food many times larger than their heads.
Snakes have a slow metabolism, which allows them to go for several months without food. This especially applies to large snakes, such as pythons.
The record holders among snakes for length are: reticulated pythons. Their length can reach 10 meters. The anaconda is not far behind, growing up to 8 meters. She is a record holder for weight, her weight can reach up to 130 kilograms.
The smallest snake is the Barbados narrow-mouthed snake, which rarely reaches 10 centimeters in length. Due to deforestation, they are on the verge of extinction; it is believed that their habitat is limited to a few square kilometers. One large egg is laid and the baby hatches 5 centimeters long. They feed on ants and termites.
Snakes practically do not hear, but they detect vibrations of water and earth. And by sticking out their tongues, they seem to sniff the air, collect odors and bring them to the organ of smell - the Jacobson apparatus, which is located on the upper palate.
Only 2% of snakes are dangerous to humans, and most of them are not poisonous at all. But even non-venomous ones can bite painfully, so it is advisable not to disturb them, even if they seem harmless.
Interesting facts about reptiles - crocodiles. These formidable predators They do not know how to chew at all and sometimes, without tearing the food, they swallow it whole. Their tongue seems to be attached to the lower jaw, and therefore cannot be stuck out. They swallow stones to easily balance under water and for good digestion of food.
The sex of the future offspring depends on the air temperature in the place where the crocodile lays. If it is 33 degrees and above, males hatch, while females hatch at temperatures not exceeding 31 degrees. The temperature often fluctuates, so both females and males are born. Surprisingly, even inside the egg, crocodiles can make sounds.
The record holder among crocodiles is the saltwater crocodile. It grows up to 7 meters and gains a mass of about a ton. And the oldest crocodile in the world is 114 years old, his name is Henry.
Turtles
They showed up before the dinosaurs, and their life expectancy can exceed 150 years. Turtles have no teeth. They see the world in color. They live both on land and in water. There are freshwater and sea.
The largest turtle is the leatherback. She treats sea view, grows up to 2.5 meters in length, the span of its front legs is more than two meters, and its weight is just under a ton. Sea turtles have limbs that are not retracted into their shells and are flat, making them excellent swimmers. And the spider turtle (land) is the smallest, the length of its shell is no more than 15 centimeters.
Those with such a strong shell can feel even the lightest touch. Their shell is extremely strong and can withstand 200 times the turtle's weight.
Reptiles are often considered cold-blooded, emotionless, and dangerous. However, our scaly friends are not as simple as you think, and in order to understand what lies behind the stereotypes we have given them, we need to study these creatures a little better:
10. Dancing Caiman
We typically think of reptile breeding ritual as a relatively boring activity—and those of us who are at least mildly interested in the topic, the rest of us don't even think about it. Concept of hierarchy or any type social life reptiles may also be unknown to the novice reptile fan. However, one quick glance at the Paraguayan caiman will soon correct this. Paraguayan caimans are small crocodiles that live in the rivers of the Amazon region.
During the breeding season, males display complex dance moves in river waters. This water aerobics serves as a way to establish dominance and order.
9. Harmless toothy giant
Sometimes, specialization in nature is the result of evolutionary pressure or the emergence of a new niche. Unique to India, gharials have strikingly long, needle-like snouts lined with many sharp teeth. Gharials have never attacked humans, their bite is very weak, and their behavior is much less aggressive than that of a typical hunting crocodile. Gharials can seem very creepy, or even funny at times. Unfortunately, these animals are on the verge of extinction as a result of completely preventable causes such as poaching, silting of rivers and water pollution.
8. African egg snakes
African egg snakes raid nests for eggs, which they swallow whole with their wide-spreading jaws. Because they have no teeth, these "toothless snakes" have knobby projections along their spines. Once the egg is swallowed, these "back teeth" break it apart with a sawing motion as the egg moves towards the stomach. This feeding method is quite strange, but fortunately African egg snakes do not pose any threat to humans.
7. Crocodile tears
Crocodiles are often considered the heartless killers of reptiles. However, their hunting lifestyle does not fully reflect who they are. Crocodiles are particularly good at caring for their young, protecting them just as any mammal would. In exceptional circumstances, people can also experience the benevolence of crocodiles.
Poncho, an American crocodile, was discovered and rescued by a fisherman in Costa Rica. Over the next years, the man managed to develop a friendly relationship with the crocodile, which not only recognized him, but even swam with him, showed him tricks and refused to harm him in any way.
6. False snake
A legless lizard is very easy to confuse with a snake. However, careful examination will reveal a lizard-like head, ear openings behind the eyes, and longitudinal stripes, all of which are characteristics of lizards rather than snakes. These creatures hunt wide range production and compensate quite powerful bite inability to walk and lack of venom.
5. Snakes have vestigial legs
Religious stories may tell how "unholy" snakes were cursed and lost their legs, but evolutionary biologists believe that snakes once had legs. However, this change was most likely caused by environmental pressures and natural selection - not having limbs had its advantages.
More advanced species of snakes, such as the viper, do not have any vestigial limbs. However, more primitive snakes (such as boas) retain a pelvic girdle. It still grows small leg bones and tiny claws.
4. Toad lizards
True horns are bony outgrowths surrounded by hardened keratin. This is the same material that human nails are made of. The strange-looking Jackson's three-horned chameleon is a reptile that looks like it came from prehistoric times. These chameleons live in forests and wooded areas East Africa. Protruding from the head of this reptile are three impressive horns, which are made of the same material as the horns of mammals. These horns are used by males in battles for females and are very reminiscent of ram fights. Any smart animal prefers to stay away from these horns.
3. Alligators and waterfowl
American alligators are large enough to pose a threat to humans. They would seem to cause terror in herons, flamingos or storks. However, pushing through the vegetation and nailing aquatic plants, alligators create large pools that remain filled with water during the dry season. These pools attract swarms of fish and also provide open hunting areas for birds to hunt without interfering vegetation.
2. Canadian boas
Snakes of the pseudopod family, which includes boas and anacondas, are often the protagonists of films filmed in the tropics, as well as horrors in the imagination of people vacationing in these areas. But contrary to popular stereotypes, small species of boa constrictors of the pseudopod family live in certain areas of British Columbia in Western Canada. Their habitat extends halfway south to the Alaska border.
The rubber snake can grow to more than 50 centimeters in length and, strangely enough for snakes, likes cold temperatures - these snakes do poorly when the temperature gets too high. The rubber snake has the ability to regulate its body temperature, which is very rare in reptiles. This creature looks like a miniature anaconda or boa constrictor, but its tail is thick and slightly resembles a second head. This puzzles both potential predators and prey. Rubber snakes feed on a range of small animals and can live to an incredible age of 70 years.
1. Strange turtles
Land and sea turtles belong to the turtle family. sea turtles These are members of the turtle family that live primarily in water. Land turtles They have a dome-like shell shape and prefer to live on land. Regardless of whether turtles are sea turtles or land turtles, their entire family has unique and strange characteristics. Some turtles may resemble shellfish, but unlike the inert calcium carbonate shell of oysters, turtle shells are complex bony structures that evolved from the bony structures of the thorax of their ancestors.
Even more surprising is the fact that turtles do not use a diaphragm to breathe. As a result, they are unable to cough, making them susceptible to infection. They also don't have vocal cords, but they can hiss and roar by pushing out compressed air, like many other species. Finally, some species of turtles lure in prey using their worm-like tongue. These ancient creatures possess a whole range of unprecedented and strange characteristics.
However, exotic animals are still not readily available. But organizing children's parties in Lately has become a very popular and in demand service among parents living in big cities. And children are especially fond of clowns, of course. And there is nothing surprising here. Clowns are professional actors, and no one is better than them to make your child laugh and delight.
Biologists of the 17th-19th centuries. classified amphibians and reptiles into one group, which they called “reptiles”.
Approximately 9,400 species of reptiles walk and crawl on the Earth. On Russian territory There are only 77 of them.
About similarities
- Many reptiles combine several animal traits: the simplest amphibians and more developed vertebrates.
- were the most large creatures who have ever lived on planet Earth. Despite the fact that they belonged to reptiles, birds became descendants of lizards.
- No animal is as similar to birds as reptiles.
- Dinosaurs appeared on earth later than turtles.
About the senses, vision and coloring
- Most cold-blooded animals have a third eye, hidden under a thin layer of skin. It is used to determine the brightness sunlight, power lines earthly magnetic field and spatial orientation occurs. Maybe it's not full list abilities of the “extra” eye, but this has not yet been established.
- Instead of eyelids, many lizards and snakes have a transparent membrane.
- It is known that chameleons are capable of changing color and becoming covered with spots or stripes. Until recently, this feature was considered a way of protection from, but recently scientists have found out that animals, first of all, communicate this way.
- The world of reptiles that are awake during the day is yellow-orange.
- Snakes do not have eardrums, so they practically cannot hear. Instead of sounds, they focus on earth or water vibrations.
- Turtles perfectly feel the lightest touches on their shells.
- About 40 thousand years ago, Australia was inhabited by crocodiles that never entered water bodies. They were land-based.
Body, size, perception of sounds
- The most massive snake on the planet is the anaconda. It can be up to 7 m long and weigh from 30 to 70 kg. The snake with the maximum length is the 7.5-meter reticulated python.
- The sounds made by most reptiles resemble whistling or hissing.
- The chameleon's tongue sometimes grows up to 0.5 m in length.
- Crocodiles tear their prey into pieces, swallowing them without chewing, since they do not know how to do this. They even have a special tooth in their mouth that helps dismember prey.
- Alligator teeth grow throughout their lives. Instead of broken and fallen ones, over 3000 pieces grow.
About family
- Reptiles are cold-blooded creatures, but there are Tegu lizards that, during the search for partners, experience chemical reaction, which increases body temperature for greater attractiveness.
- The sex of the embryos depends on the place in which the eggs were laid, or rather, its temperature.
- Reptiles, for the most part, are not caring parents. Having laid their eggs, they do not care about them, counting on the fact that newborn babies will show miracles of independence. Only turtles became an exception to this rule.
No animal can change colors this way and look in two directions at once, so the chameleon is definitely worth learning more about. The naked eye can see that the chameleon is one of the most beautiful and unusual reptiles on the planet. Here are ten interesting facts that you might not know.
1. Almost half of the world's chameleon species live on the island of Madagascar, with 59 different species that do not exist anywhere outside the island. There are approximately 160 species of chameleon. They are distributed from Africa to southern Europe, from south asia to Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced into the United States in places such as Hawaii, California and Florida.
2. Read more about color change. Most chameleons change color from brown to green and back, but some can take on almost any color. In just 20 seconds, repainting can occur. Chameleons are born with special cells that have color or pigment in them. These cells are found in the layers beneath the chameleon's outer shell. They are called chromatophores. The top layers of chromatophores have a red or yellow pigment. The lower layers have blue or white pigment. When these pigment cells change, changes in the chameleon's skin color occur.
Chromatophores change because they receive a message from the brain. The message tells the cells to expand or shrink. These actions cause the cell's pigments to mix, just like paint. Melanin also helps chameleons change color. Melanin fibers can spread like spider webs through layers of cells, and their presence causes the skin to darken.
Many people think that the color of chameleons blends in with their environment. Scientists do not agree with this. Their research shows that light, temperature and mood cause chameleons to change. Sometimes a change in color can make a chameleon appear calmer. Sometimes this helps the reptile communicate with other chameleons.
3. A chameleon's eyes have a 360-degree view and can see in two directions at once. Chameleons have the most special eyes of any reptile. They can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects at the same time, allowing their eyes to move independently of each other.
This gives them a full 360 degree arc of vision around their body. When prey is located, both eyes can be focused in the same direction, providing acute stereoscopic vision and depth perception. Chameleons have very good vision for a reptile, allowing them to see small insects at a long distance (5-10 m).
4. Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure from maximum length, varying from 15 millimeters in males of Brookesia micra (one of the smallest reptiles in the world) to 68.5 centimeters in males of Furcifer oustaleti.
5. A chameleon's tongue can be 1.5-2 times the length of their body. They can shoot their tongue out of their mouth to capture prey. It was recently discovered that smaller chameleons have proportionally larger tongues than larger ones. Tongue throwing occurs extremely high efficiency, reaching prey in just 0.07 seconds.
7. Males are usually much brighter. Many have decorations on the head or face, others may have large combs on top. 
8. Chameleons don't hear very well. Like snakes, chameleons do not have an outer or middle ear, and thus do not have an eardrum. However, chameleons are not deaf. They can pick up sound frequencies in the range of 200-600 Hz.
9. Chameleons see in both normal and ultraviolet light. Chameleons exposed to ultraviolet light show greater activity and are more likely to hunt.
10. The American chameleon is not actually a chameleon. Anolis carolinensis is not a true chameleon, but a small lizard of the iguana family.
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