What is the longest snake in the world?
The living world
136
Reptiles are egg-laying
animals that have a tough
skin covered in scales. They
live on land and in water.
Reptile babies
Nearly all reptiles lay
eggs, which hatch into
miniature versions of
their parents. A few,
such as this slow
worm, however, give
birth to live young.
Hot and cold
Reptiles have scales,
which can control how
much water they lose
through their skin. This
means they can live in
dry places. They are
cold blooded, however,
so rely on the climate to
keep their temperature
in check.
Eating habits
Reptiles are meat eaters, with
the exception of tortoises,
which move too slowly to
catch fast-moving prey.
Lizards, such as this
gecko, can eat half their
own weight in insects
in one night.
All reptiles
shed their
skin from
time to time.
Reptiles can
eat huge
meals, then
go without
food for days.
Most reptiles,
swing their
bodies from
side to side
when walking.
This lizard, which lives in the desert,
basks on rocks to warm up its body.
Flying gecko
The reptile groups
There are four main
groups of reptiles:
The tortoise family:
these reptiles all have
a shell over their body.
Snakes and lizards:
the majority of reptiles
fall into this group.
The crocodile family:
this group are the giants
of the reptile world.
Tuataras:
these reptiles
are very rare and look
a bit like lizards.
The world of reptiles
European eyed
lizard
