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Animals That Are Reptiles

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals from the Reptilia class. They evolved almost 300 million years ago in the Paleozoic era. Over millions of years, six Reptilia families from prehistoric times evolved into species found today. They range from swamp-dwelling crocodiles to venomous desert rattlesnakes. Reptiles live on land and in water, and have scales that cover their bodies. Most reptiles lay eggs to reproduce and are carnivorous. Reptiles are found in almost every country in the world.

Crocodiles
- Crocodiles submerge themselves in water to sneak up on prey.
  
  A crocodile is a large reptile that splits its time between land and water. It has a long tail and webbed feet that enable it to walk on land. Crocodiles catch their prey by ambushing them and killing them with their powerful jaws. Some species of crocodile live in freshwater while others live in saltwater. Saltwater crocodiles hunt water buffalo, wild boar, monkeys and small sharks. Freshwater crocodiles prey on insects, birds, snakes and fish. Humans hunt crocodiles for their skin and meat. The skin is used to make leather shoes, belts and handbags. People in many countries eat crocodile meat.
Alligators
- American alligators live primarily in Florida and Louisiana.
  
  Alligators look similar to crocodiles but they have different features. The alligator has a wider, shorter head than a crocodile, and is darker in color. Alligators have intolerance to salinity and live in freshwater. Only two species are found in the world today, one in the U.S. and the other in China. The American alligator lives in the southeastern states in marshes, wetlands, lakes and swamps. The Chinese alligator can be found in the Yangtze River. Both species live off fish, turtles, birds, small mammals and other reptiles. If an alligator is hungry, it can eat humans if given the opportunity.
Lizards
- The Komodo dragon is the largest type of lizard.
  
  There are almost 3,800 species of lizard. They vary in length and color, although most of them have limbs, a long tail, scaly skin and external ears. Most species of lizard are harmless to humans, except for the larger species. The largest is the Komodo dragon, which can grow to over 10 feet long and sometimes attacks humans. The Gila monster is a venomous species that has a powerful bite. The predators of lizards include birds, raptors, snakes and other lizards.
Snakes
- Rattlesnakes are a venomous species of reptile.
  
  There are more than 2,500 species of snakes in the world. The largest is the anaconda, which can grow to over 35 feet in length. Snakes do not have limbs and move around by slithering on the ground. Some species are venomous and kill their prey by biting and injecting deadly venom. Examples of venomous snakes include the cobra, viper and rattlesnake. Other species, like the python and boa constrictor, kill by crushing their prey. To swallow large prey, snakes can dislocate their jaws. They eat rodents, birds, fish and eggs.
Turtles
- A turtle's shell protects it from predators, such as sharks and whales.
  
  Turtles spend most of their time underwater. However, they do breathe air, so regularly have to surface. They lay eggs on land, burying them in mud and sand. Turtles do not look after their young; when the eggs hatch, the babies have to fend for themselves. Most turtles have a hard bony shell on their backs that protects them from predators. The leatherback sea turtle is an exception -- its back is flexible and almost rubbery to the touch. The leatherback sea turtle is also the largest aquatic turtle -- it can grow up to 200 cm in length.

Nature