Science Reptile Study Guide 8th Grade

Snakes, Turtles, Lizards, Alligators, and Crocodiles.

Three common habitats where we would likely find reptiles

Open sea, deserts, rainforests, and underground

Reptile Skin is effectively waterproof due to:

Scales

Reptiles typically reproduce by:

laying eggs

How snakes eat

Snakes swallow their prey whole

Snakes use their ___________ to detect chemicals in the air

Forked tonuge

what is the term for shedding skin

Molting

Elapid Snakes

Location- Tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Characteristics- Most venomous, fixed hollow fangs.

Examples- Black Mamba and King Cobra

Viperid Snakes

Location- America and Africa.

Characteristics- Long hinged hollow fangs.

Examples- Rattle snake and Copper head.

Colubrid Snakes

Location- Every continent except Antarctica.

Characteristics- Largest snake family, mostly non-venomous.

Examples- Garter snake and Milk snake.

Boa Snakes

Location- Tropical region of Central and South America.

Characteristics- Give birth to live young.

Examples- Green anaconda and Viper boa.

Python Snakes

Location- Tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Characteristics- Lay eggs

Examples- Ball python and Burmese python.

Where do we find most species of turtles on earth?

Most can be found in Southeastern North America and South Asia.

What kinds of habitats do turtles prefer?

Most habitats except extreme cold

How social are turtles?

Typically not social

don't mind having other turtles around but don’t come to socialize.

What type of diet do turtles have?

Mostly omnivores

Tortoises tend to be herbivores.

How do turtles reproduce?

Lay Eggs

What determines whether turtles are male or female?

Sand temp determines the gender.

Warm temp is females

cooler temp is males

How long do mother turtles care for their young?

Turtles don’t nurture their young.

Why is it scientifically inaccurate when the animals remove Verne the turtle’s shell in the movie Over the Hedge.

A turtles shell is modified ribcage and part of their vertebra column.

When are lizards most active?

Day= Diurnal

The typical diet for lizards consists of:

Varies wildly, some are carnivores, some are omnivores, and some herbivores.

Female Chameleons look for what aspect in a potential mate?

A brighter colored mate.

Alligators are typically found:

Slow-moving rivers, ponds, lakes, and swamps.

Three major aspects of alligator reproduction:

Temp of nest determines the gender.

Cooler temp is females, warmer temp is males.

Mothers care for young for 2 years then they are on their own.

Where are crocodiles typically found?

Tropical habitats of Africa, Asia, Australia, and Americas.

To help with digestion, crocodiles will…

Swallow stones that grind up food.

Explain how and why crocodiles hibernate:

How- Dig out a burrow in the side of the river bank or lake.

Why- Dormant during long periods of drought.

Describe in detail FOUR major differences between Alligators and Crocodiles:

Snout shape- Alligator wider u-shape / crocodile- pointed v-shape.

Toothy grin- Crocodiles show more teeth.

Skin color- Alligators are darker / crocodiles are lighter.

Home base- Crocodiles in saltwater / Alligators in freshwater.