Understanding What a Reptile Is
A reptile is a cold-blooded vertebrate with scaly skin. Reptiles include snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles, and they live in many environments worldwide.
Key Traits of Reptiles
Reptiles breathe air, have dry scales, and typically lay eggs with tough shells. Being cold-blooded means their body temperature depends on their surroundings.
Types of Reptiles
Common groups include snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and crocodilians. Each group has unique adaptations that help them survive in different habitats.
Where Reptiles Live
Reptiles are found in deserts, forests, wetlands, oceans, and grasslands. Their scales help reduce water loss, allowing them to thrive in dry climates.
How Reptiles Survive
They use behaviors like basking to warm up or hiding to cool down. Many reptiles are skilled hunters with sharp senses and specialized abilities.
Why Reptiles Matter
Reptiles play important roles in ecosystems by controlling pests, balancing food webs, and serving as indicators of environmental health.
The Simple Takeaway
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals with scales and air-breathing lungs. They include snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles and live in diverse habitats.