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Introduction

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Selected reptile type

Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked turtles), which differ in the way the head retracts. There are 360 living and recently extinct species of turtles, including land-dwelling tortoises and freshwater terrapins. They are found on most continents, some islands and, in the case of sea turtles, much of the ocean. Like other amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals) they breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water.

Turtle shells are made mostly of bone; the upper part is the domed carapace, while the underside is the flatter plastron or belly-plate. Its outer surface is covered in scales made of keratin, the material of hair, horns, and claws. The carapace bones develop from ribs that grow sideways and develop into broad flat plates that join up to cover the body. Turtles are ectotherms or "cold-blooded", meaning that their internal temperature varies with their direct environment. They are generally opportunistic omnivores and mainly feed on plants and animals with limited movements. Many turtles migrate short distances seasonally. Sea turtles are the only reptiles that migrate long distances to lay their eggs on a favored beach.

Turtles have appeared in myths and folktales around the world. Some terrestrial and freshwater species are widely kept as pets. Turtles have been hunted for their meat, for use in traditional medicine, and for their shells. Sea turtles are often killed accidentally as bycatch in fishing nets. Turtle habitats around the world are being destroyed. As a result of these pressures, many species are extinct or threatened with extinction. (Full article...)

Selected Crocodilia article

At Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm near Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the eastern, southern, and central regions of the continent, and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, swamps and marshlands. It occasionally inhabits deltas, brackish lakes and rarely also saltwater. Its range once stretched from the Nile Delta throughout the Nile River. Lake Turkana in Kenya has one of the largest undisturbed Nile crocodile populations.

Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5 m (11 ft 6 in and 16 ft 5 in) in length and weighs 225 to 750 kg (496 to 1,653 lb). However, specimens exceeding 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight have been recorded. It is the largest predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Size is sexually dimorphic, with females usually about 30% smaller than males. The crocodile has thick, scaly, heavily armoured skin.

Nile crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators; a very aggressive crocodile, they are capable of taking almost any animal within their range. They are generalists, taking a variety of prey, with a diet consisting mostly of different species of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. As ambush predators, they can wait for hours, days, and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. They are agile predators and wait for the opportunity for a prey item to come well within attack range. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. Like other crocodiles, Nile crocodiles have a powerful bite that is unique among all animals, and sharp, conical teeth that sink into flesh, allowing a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. They can apply high force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown. (Full article...)

Selected lizard article

The Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor (Varanus bitatawa), also known by the local names bitatawa, baritatawa, and butikaw, is a large, arboreal, frugivorous lizard of the genus Varanus. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

Cyclemys enigmatica, also known as the enigmatic leaf turtle, is a species of Asian leaf turtle. It is found in the Greater Sunda Islands and the Malay Peninsula. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

Image 1Leiocephalus carinatus
Image 2Namaqua chameleon
Image 3Sinai agama
Image 4Aldabra giant tortoise
Image 5Italian wall lizard
Image 6Red-headed Amazon River turtles
Image 7Bosc's fringe-toed lizards during courtship
Image 8Eastern long-necked turtle
Image 9Bothriechis schlegelii
Image 10Sicilian wall lizard
Image 11 Albino alligator
Image 12Phelsuma grandis
Image 13Morelia spilota
Image 14Trachylepis striata
Image 15Indian chameleon
Image 16Common collared lizard
Image 17Carolina anole
Image 18Gold dust day gecko
Image 19Marginated tortoise hatchling
Image 20Thamnophis elegans terrestris at Western terrestrial garter snake
Image 21Vipera dinniki
Image 22Mwanza flat-headed rock agama
Image 23Rough chameleon
Image 24Jackson's chameleon
Image 25Yacare caiman
Image 26Anole at Polychrotinae
Image 27Plestiodon fasciatus
Image 28Gold dust day gecko
Image 29Australian water dragon
Image 30Plumed basilisk
Image 31Leiocephalus personatus
Image 32Cape skink - Trachylepis capensis. Close-up on purple Aster flowers.
Image 33Namaqua chameleon
Image 34Niveoscincus metallicus
Image 35Dwarf yellow-headed gecko
Image 36Gold dust day gecko close-up
Image 37Species of Ceratopsia dinosaurs
Image 38Cerastes cerastes
Image 39Asian vine snake Ahaetulla prasina. This snake has a wide distribution in Asia. It feeds on small reptiles and amphibians, particularly lizards and tree frogs. Adults may attain 1.8 m (6 feet) in total length, with a tail 0.6 m (2 feet) long. Its appearance is very much like those of South American vine snakes. It is a rear-fanged species and is mildly venomous but is not considered a threat to humans.
Image 40Green sea turtle
Image 41Green sea turtle
Image 42Common box turtle
Image 43Ladder snake
Image 44White-headed dwarf gecko
Image 45A green sea turtle swimming above a coral reef.
Image 46Barracudasauroides
Image 47Steneosaurus
Image 48Trachylepis maculilabris mating
Image 49Marine iguana
Image 50Mexican beaded lizard
Image 51Eastern bearded dragon
Image 52Green sea turtle
Image 53Vipera xanthina

Selected snake article

The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in northern and central Europe, but also as far east as northern Iran. The Reptile Database recognizes two subspecies as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies described here. (Full article...)