Reptile and Amphibian Catalog

Reptiles and Amphibians

Amphibians are vertebrate animals that have the ability to live both on land and in the water.

Reptiles are animals that crawl or moves on their short legs or belly. They have skin that is covered in scales.

Both are cold-blooded vertebrates, so they cannot regulate or change their temperature. They rely on the environment around them to warm up or cool down.

The study of Reptiles and Amphibians is called Herpetology

Reptiles

Taxonomy and Reptile Classification

Classification of Reptiles

Reptile Characteristics

Reptile Animal Science

As of May 2023, about 12,000 living species of reptiles are listed in the Reptile Database.

There are 4 orders of reptiles: Testudines (which are the turtles and tortoises), Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles, and caiman), Squamata (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenias or worm lizards), and Rhynchocephalia (the tuatara).

An alligator on land in a double-line frame.

A crocodile with its mouth open in a double-line frame.

A caiman in water in a double-line frame.

A Lizard in a double-line frame.

An Iguana in a double-line frame.

A snake with tounge out in a double-line frame.

A Worm Lizard in a double-line frame.

A Komodo dragon in a double-line frame.

Two geckos in a double-line frame.

A Tortoise hiding behind plants in a double-line frame.

Turtles are old

Red Ear Slider info here…

The taxonomic report from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System, or ITIS, tells us they were first classified in 1839 by Wied-Neuwied. 

A sea turtle in a double-line frame.

A blue-tunged skink in a double-line frame.

A Tuatara in a double-line frame.

Reptile biology is a fascinating study of the anatomy and behavior of these creatures. Reptiles are ectotherms, meaning they rely on external sources of temperature to regulate their body temperature. As a result, many reptiles exhibit behavior such as basking in sunlight to warm up or moving into shaded areas to cool down.

Another notable characteristic of reptilian physiology is that they have dry, scaly skin, which helps them retain moisture and protect them from predators. Reptiles also have rudimentary but powerful immune systems. With such specialized adaptations, we can learn a lot about how organisms survive in different conditions. For example, when it comes to conservation efforts for endangered species, understanding the intricacies of their biology can inform decision-makers on how best to protect them and keep them safe in their natural habitats.

Latest Reptile Posts

Amphibians

Taxonomy and Amphibian Classification

Classification of Amphibians

Amphibian Characteristics

There are around 6,200 different species of amphibians that we know of.

The Class Amphibia is broken down into 3 different orders:

  1. Apoda: which includes the caecilians.
  2. Anura: which includes the frogs and toads.
  3. Urodela: which includes the salamanders and newts.

Amphibian Animal Science

Classification of frogs and toads

Frogs and toads lose their tail when they get to adulthood. They also have longer back legs than other amphibians to help them jump high and far.

Frogs can jump 20 times their own body length and have longer back legs than toads.

Frogs spend more time in the water than toads, and they have smooth, moist skin.

A frog on a lily pad with a frame tilted Frog

Classification of frogs and toads

Frogs and toads lose their tail when they get to adulthood. They also have longer back legs than other amphibians to help them jump high and far.

Toads spend more time on land than frogs, and they have rougher, drier skin.

A toad on sand with a frame tilted Toad

A axolotl on a river bottom with a frame tilted Axolotl

Classification of Newts and Salamanders

Salamanders and Newts keep their tail when they become adults.

These amphibians have all their legs the same length. This is so they can walk and swim instead of jump.

A newt on a ground with a frame tilted Newt

Classification of Newts and Salamanders

Salamanders and Newts keep their tail when they become adults.

These amphibians have all their legs their same length. This is so they can walk and swim, instead of jump.

A fun fact is Salamanders can regrow their legs if they get lost to a predator.

A salamander on a river bank with a frame tilted Salamander

Classification of Caecilians

A caecilian on leaf litter with a frame tilted Frog

Latest Amphibian Posts

No posts