The world of
reptiles
The reticulated python can reach lengths of 10 m (33 ft).
137
Become
an expert
138-139
The world
of amphibians
144-145
The world
of fish
Scaly skin
A reptile’s skin is covered
with scales made of
keratin, like your nails.
Tortoise:
the shell
of a tortoise has lots of
large, hard scales on it.
Lizard:
Lizards’ scales
have stretchy skin
between them.
Crocodile:
these
scales are strengthened
in between by bony plates.
Snake:
the skin on snakes
has overlapping scales for
extra protection.
Reptile relatives
The reptiles of today are
the last living relatives of
dinosaurs and look very
similar to their ancient
ancestors. You can see
similarities between the
Tyrannosaurus rex
and
this lizard.
Living fossils
Tuataras are the only survivors
of a group of reptiles that
lived with the dinosaurs
millions of years ago.
Today they live on a
group of islands off
New Zealand.
Tuataras live in
burrows and hunt
at night. They can
live for 100 years.
Collared
lizard
Tyrannosaurus rex
