Adaptations of reptiles in context of animal diversity

How reptiles adapt.

1. Introduction Reptiles are tetrapods . Limbless reptiles (snakes and other squamates) have vestigial limbs and, as with caecilians, are classified as tetrapods because they are descended from four-limbed ancestors. Reptiles lay on land eggs enclosed in shells. Even aquatic reptiles return to the land to lay eggs. They usually reproduce sexually with internal fertilization. Some species are ovoviviparous, with the eggs remaining in the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch. Other species are viviparous, with the offspring born alive .

2. Adaptations One of the key adaptations that permitted reptiles to live on land was the development of their scaly skin which contains the protein keratin and waxy lipids, reducing water loss from the skin. Due to this occlusive skin, reptiles cannot use their skin for respiration, as do amphibians; all breathe with lungs. Reptiles are ectotherms : animals whose main source of body heat comes from the environment. In addition to being ectothermic, reptiles are categorized as poikilotherms: animals whose body temperatures vary rather than remain stable. 

3. Adaptations Reptiles have behavioral adaptations to help regulate body temperature, such as basking in sunny places to warm up and finding shady spots or going underground to cool down. For cold-blooded creatures on land, survival requires more than just physical changes. Since a reptile’s temperature depends on its surroundings, it basks on rocks to warm its blood for hunting. Without a place to bask, reptiles can’t get enough blood flow. Reptiles kept in captivity must have access to warming lights and heat-absorbent surfaces to substitute for a natural basking environment.

4. Adaptations In cold weather, some reptiles, such as the garter snake , brumate . Brumation is similar to hibernation in that the animal becomes less active and can go for long periods without eating, but differs from hibernation in that brumating reptiles are not asleep or living off fat reserves. Rather, their metabolism is slowed in response to cold temperatures; the animal becomes very sluggish.

5. Adaptations Reptiles that live in cold climates with harsh winters will  hibernate . They burrow into the ground or stay between rocks until the weather warms up. Before hibernating, a reptile will eat a lot of food and its body forms a layer of fat that serves as food during hibernation.

6. Adaptations Living on land means limited access to drinking water, so reptiles’ kidneys have adapted. They conserve water by producing less urine in more concentrated forms. Reptiles evolved a hard shell around their eggs. In many types of snakes the eggs hatch internally, and babies are born live.

7. Adaptations Reptiles have adapted to different eating behaviors to increase their survival in the wild. Many reptiles are omnivorous, meaning they will eat both animals and plants; others are carnivorous or herbivorous only. Similarly, reptiles have adapted multiple ways to obtain their food: Chameleons use tongue projection to  shoot their tongue toward nearby prey, grab it and pull it into their mouths.  Alligator snapping turtles have adapted tongues that resemble worms when their mouths are open so they can fool unsuspecting worm-hunting prey.  Snakes have various ways of catching and subduing prey, including constriction and venom. 

8. Adaptations To survive, reptiles have adapted a number of defensive tactics to keep predators away, such as: Camouflage so they are more difficult to spot in their environment.  Bright colors to warn predators they are poisonous.  Disposable tails that grow back so the tail can distract predators while the reptile escapes Hiding places to escape or avoid predators.

9. Adaptations Most reptiles make efficient use of the  water   they take into their bodies. Their skin is waterproof so they do not lose water through sweating. They also absorb as much water as possible from their food meaning their stools are harder. The majority of  reptiles do not urinate . Adapting lungs in place of gills was a significant step in reptiles’ migration to land. Reptiles are born with fully developed lungs.