Facts About Reptiles

Reptiles are air-breathing and cold-blooded animals that have skin covered in scales. Here are some interesting and fun facts about reptiles.

Facts About Reptiles

Most reptiles lay eggs, but a few species give birth to live babies.
Unlike mammals, reptiles cannot regulate their own temperature. This is why they are classified as cold-blooded. They must rely on the sun to heat them up.
There are over 8,000 species of reptiles living on the planet.
Most reptiles have a three-chamber heart. Crocodiles and alligators are an exception- they have four-chamber hearts.
All reptiles breath using lungs. Turtles have permeable skin which allows gas exchange, but they would not be able to survive without their lungs!
Like mammals, reptiles have two small kidneys.
Compared to mammals and birds, reptiles are not considered very intelligent. However, crocodiles do show a complex social structure and Komodo dragons (a venomous lizard) have been observed playing with each other.
Reptiles live in almost any climate. They cannot survive in Antarctica as it is too cold (remember, they need heat to survive)!
Snakes and lizards are the most abundant reptiles. They ’smell’ using their tongues! They flick their tongues to capture scent particles and work out where to find some tasty food!
Reptiles don’t have sweat glands.