Unusual facts about reptiles. All the most interesting things in one magazine

Reptiles today are not as diverse and successful a class of vertebrates as they were 100 or 200 million years ago, but many people are terrified by their sharp teeth, forked tongues and scaly skin. This article examines 10 of the most interesting facts about reptiles, from reproduction to shedding their skin.

1. Reptiles evolved from amphibians

If you trace the entire evolutionary chain, the first vertebrate fish evolved into tetrapods (four-legged animals), tetrapods developed into amphibians (amphibians), and they in turn evolved into reptiles. All these events occurred between 400 and 300 million years ago. And that's not the end of the story: about 200 million years ago, reptiles evolved into therapsids (beast-like reptiles), which later became mammals, and another 50 million years later, carnivorous dinosaurs evolved into birds.

Perhaps all of the above evolutionary metamorphoses explain the relative scarcity of reptiles today, since their more developed descendants (mammals and birds) have no competition in various ecological niches.

2. There are 4 main orders of reptiles

All living reptiles can be divided into 4 groups:

1) turtles, which are characterized by a slow metabolism and hard protective shells (shell);

2) squamate, including snakes, lizards and amphisbaenus;

3) crocodiles, which are the closest living relatives of modern birds and extinct dinosaurs;

4) beak-headed - strange creatures, found only on a few outlying islands of New Zealand.

The pterosaurs that once ruled the skies and the marine reptiles that dominated the oceans went extinct along with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

3. All reptiles are cold-blooded

One of the main features that distinguishes reptiles from mammals and birds is that they are cold-blooded, and their internal physiological processes depend on weather conditions environment. Snakes and crocodiles literally "fuel" themselves by basking in the sun during the day, and become lethargic at night when there are no energy sources available.

The advantage of a cold-blooded metabolism is that reptiles require much less food than birds and mammals of comparable size. The disadvantage is the inability to maintain a consistently high level of activity.

4. Reptiles have scaly skin

The rough, scaly skin of reptiles makes many people uncomfortable, but the fact is that it represents an important evolutionary leap: thanks to this protective layer, vertebrates were able to move away from bodies of water without the risk of drying out. During the process of growth, some reptiles, such as snakes, shed their entire skin, while others do so a few scales at a time.

5. Very few reptiles are herbivores

During Mesozoic era, some of the most large reptiles on Earth were herbivores, like Triceratops and Diplodocus. Today, surprisingly, the only herbivorous reptiles are turtles and iguanas (both reptiles are only distantly related to their dinosaur ancestors), while crocodiles, snakes, lizards and tuataras feed on vertebrates and invertebrates. Some marine reptiles (such as saltwater crocodiles) can swallow rocks, which weigh down their bodies and act as ballast.

6. Most reptiles have a three-chambered heart

The heart of snakes, lizards, and turtles has three chambers, which is an advantage compared to the two-chambered heart of fish and amphibians, but in comparison with the four-chambered heart of birds and mammals there is a significant disadvantage. The problem is that the three-chambered heart allows oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix, which is a relatively inefficient way of transferring oxygen to the body's tissues.

Crocodiles, most closely related to birds, have a four-chambered heart, which supposedly gives them a much-needed advantage when hunting.

7. Reptiles are far from the smartest animals on the planet.

With a few exceptions, reptiles are as intelligent as one would expect: more advanced than fish and amphibians, almost on par with birds in intelligence, but noticeably inferior to average-sized mammals. Reptiles' brains are about one-tenth the size of the rest of their body, which is common in rats, cats and hedgehogs.

The exception here is, again, crocodiles, which have basic social skills and are at least smart enough to survive, which is not the case with their extinct dinosaur cousins.

8. Reptiles became the world's first amniotes

The emergence of amniotes - vertebrates that lay eggs on land or carry embryos in the body of a female - was an important transition period in the evolution of life on Earth. Amphibians that preceded reptiles had to lay their eggs in water and thus could not venture inland to populate continents. In this regard, reptiles occupy an intermediate stage between fish with amphibians (which were once referred to by naturalists as "lower vertebrates"), and birds with mammals ("higher vertebrates," with a more developed reproductive system).

9. In some reptiles, sex is determined by temperature

As far as is known, reptiles are the only vertebrates in which temperature determines sex: the temperature of the environment outside the egg, during embryonic development, can influence the sex of the hatchling. No one knows for sure how some species may benefit from the presence more representatives of a certain sex at some stages of their life cycle.

10. Reptiles can be classified by the openings in their skulls

This is not often used when working with living species, but the evolution of reptiles can be understood by the number of holes, or “windows,” in their skulls. Turtles are anapsid reptiles, without any openings; the pelycosaurs and therapsids of the later Paleozoic were synapsids, with a single opening; and all other reptiles, including dinosaurs, pterosaurs and marine reptiles, are diapsids, with two openings.

Incidentally, the number of "windows" provides important information about the evolution of mammals, which share basic characteristics of their skulls with ancient therapsids.

No animal can change colors this way and look in two directions at once, so the chameleon is definitely worth learning more about. The naked eye can see that the chameleon is one of the most beautiful and unusual reptiles on the planet. Here are ten interesting facts that you might not know.
1. Almost half of the world's chameleon species live on the island of Madagascar, with 59 different species that do not exist anywhere outside the island. There are approximately 160 species of chameleon. They are distributed from Africa to southern Europe, from southern Asia to Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced into the United States in places such as Hawaii, California and Florida.

2. Read more about color change. Most chameleons change color from brown to green and back, but some can take on almost any color. In just 20 seconds, repainting can occur. Chameleons are born with special cells that have color or pigment in them. These cells are found in the layers beneath the chameleon's outer shell. They are called chromatophores. The top layers of chromatophores have a red or yellow pigment. The lower layers have blue or white pigment. When these pigment cells change, changes in the chameleon's skin color occur.

Chromatophores change because they receive a message from the brain. The message tells the cells to expand or shrink. These actions cause the cell's pigments to mix, just like paint. Melanin also helps chameleons change color. Melanin fibers can spread like spider webs through layers of cells, and their presence causes the skin to darken.

Many people think that the color of chameleons blends in with their environment. Scientists do not agree with this. Their research shows that light, temperature and mood cause chameleons to change. Sometimes a change in color can make a chameleon appear calmer. Sometimes this helps the reptile communicate with other chameleons.

3. A chameleon's eyes have a 360-degree view and can see in two directions at once. Chameleons have the most special eyes of any reptile. They can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects at the same time, allowing their eyes to move independently of each other.

This gives them a full 360 degree arc of vision around their body. When prey is located, both eyes can be focused in the same direction, providing acute stereoscopic vision and depth perception. Chameleons have very good vision for reptiles, allows them to see small insects at a long distance (5-10 m).

4. Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure from maximum length, varying from 15 millimeters in males of Brookesia micra (one of the smallest reptiles in the world) to 68.5 centimeters in males of Furcifer oustaleti.

5. A chameleon's tongue can be 1.5-2 times the length of their body. They can shoot their tongue out of their mouth to capture prey. It was recently discovered that smaller chameleons have proportionally more large tongues than the big ones. The tongue is thrown with extremely high efficiency, reaching prey in just 0.07 seconds.

7. Males are usually much brighter. Many have decorations on the head or face, others may have large combs on top.

8. Chameleons don't hear very well. Like snakes, chameleons do not have an outer or middle ear, and thus do not have an eardrum. However, chameleons are not deaf. They can pick up sound frequencies in the range of 200-600 Hz.

9. Chameleons see in both normal and ultraviolet light. Chameleons exposed to ultraviolet light show greater activity and are more likely to hunt.

10. The American chameleon is not actually a chameleon. Anolis carolinensis is not a true chameleon, but a small lizard of the iguana family.

Reptiles are considered one of the most interesting and versatile groups of the animal world. At first glance they seem negative emotions, a person perceives them as danger and insensitivity. But still, there are many facts that go unnoticed, and after a close acquaintance with these representatives, new interesting sides open up. This is proof that reptiles have amazing abilities. Interesting Facts about reptiles:

Reptiles are the longest living animal species

The lifespan of reptiles is very diverse, but this species is still a long-liver. Each of the representatives of this group lives in certain environmental conditions, where formed abilities that developed throughout the entire evolutionary process are manifested. It is this gift that allows animals to defend themselves from enemies and experience unfavourable conditions, get food, thereby extending your life.

Coolness

There is no regulation of body temperature in this type of animal, and they extract heat from external sources. Thus, when the ambient temperature gradually decreases, the speed of movement of animals also begins to slow down. And in winter period they fall into a state of suspended animation.

Toxicity is a complex and invisible phenomenon

Most snakes are not poisonous, only a small part of them are considered dangerous to humans.
Poisonous snakes have no desire to attack first unless they feel threatened. In many cases, when aggression on the part of animals manifests itself, these are the consequences of the rash actions of the victim. Reptile venom is a universal remedy, a “weapon” for defense and obtaining food. It is he who helps cope with large prey.

The importance of the olfactory organs

For reptiles, smell is one of the important senses. After all, almost all reptiles live in areas with dense vegetation, so vision and hearing are not reliable devices for recognizing terrain. In such situations, when searching for food, catching odors is of considerable importance.

But snakes and lizards do not perceive the smell with their nose; for further identification, they raise their tongue up and only then does it become possible to sense the aroma.

Longest snake

Snakes never grow to enormous sizes, but there are still “giants” among them. Anaconda boa constrictor, inhabitant South America, the length of today's terrestrial vertebrates reaches 11.43 meters. This specimen feeds on fish and other small animals. But there is another member of this group - reticulated python, the most commonly known specimen lives in Japan. Its value is 12, 30 meters, and the mass approaches 200 kilograms.

Chameleon skin color does not adjust to environment to blend into a specific background. The innate color of these animals is one - green, which coincides with the color of the foliage. They are able to change their color, but to a limited extent, they only lighten or darken the color of their skin. But this color modification that occurs is associated with air temperature, lighting and emotional changes.

1. The exceptional length of a chameleon's tongue. The main feature of this lizard is its tongue, the size of which can reach 50 centimeters. In most cases, the length of this organ depends on the size of the owner himself, therefore, the larger the lizard, the longer its tongue will be.
2. Features of the structure of the skull. The skulls of reptiles, especially snakes, are made up of small bones. All parts of the head are interconnected and have the ability to dynamically and constantly move. Thus, this construction allows snakes to expand their jaws to eat prey they catch, which is much larger than their head.
3. Reptiles' skin is always cool and dry because they do not have sweat glands. Therefore, the common belief that they have a mucous membrane is erroneous.
4. The shedding of skin in snakes depends only on the growth rate, thus young organisms change their skin more often.
5. The largest representative of reptiles is considered saltwater crocodile, the length of which reaches 7 meters.
6. Turtles are age-old animals on Earth, they outlived many related creatures and appeared in this world before dinosaurs.
7. Keratin- the main component of the scales of snakes and lizards.
8. Fertilization in reptiles occurs on land, it is internal and aquatic environment they are never used to lay future offspring. And the shell of the egg itself has a parchment or shell structure, which protects it from drying out.
9. The independence of reptile cubs manifests itself immediately after birth; reptiles lack parental behavior. Only a few can protect and take care of their clutches.
10. The digestive system of a crocodile works with great intensity, which gives this animal a chance to digest even steel objects.
11. Alligator teeth. Prolonged and active work of the alligator's jaw leads to constant loss of teeth, but thanks to good regeneration throughout its life, the alligator grows about 3,000 new teeth.
12. The nutrition of reptiles is very extraordinary, but the basis of their diet is occupied by insects, fish, birds and other small animals.
13. Reptiles - amazing creatures, bright, rare and each of them is exceptional in its own way. They still appeared 300 million years ago, and are found on all continents, but more often in warm areas. They occupy the initial stage in nature, because it was this group of animals that became the first, like true terrestrial vertebrates.

Reptiles are one of the oldest creatures to walk our planet. Extinct dinosaurs, by the way, were also reptiles, and modern lizards and crocodiles are also partly their descendants. However, there is an opinion that mammals and reptiles once descended from common ancestor. But who knows how it really was?

1. In the 18th and 19th centuries, biologists classified reptiles and amphibians in a general group called “reptiles.”
2. Reptiles have more in common with birds than any other animal (see).
3. About 9,400 species of reptiles live on Earth, of which only 77 are represented in Russia.
4. The largest land animals in the history of the planet, dinosaurs are ancient reptiles. Their descendants in modern world, oddly enough, they became birds, not reptiles.
5. Most reptiles combine the characteristics of simple amphibians and more highly developed vertebrates.
6. Chameleons are well known for their ability to change color depending on circumstances - stripes and spots can appear and disappear on their body, their skin color can quickly change from light yellow to purple and back again, and so on. It was believed that this is how chameleons protect themselves from predators, but scientists have proven that these animals need a change in color, first of all, to communicate with their relatives (see).
7. Diurnal reptiles see the world in a yellow-orange spectrum.
8. Many reptiles have a third eye - it is hidden under thin skin and serves as a reptile for orientation in space, determining the intensity of sunlight and lines of force. magnetic field Earth. It is likely that the parietal eye also performs more complex functions, but scientists do not yet know which ones.
9. The eyes of some snakes and lizards are closed with a continuous transparent membrane that replaces their eyelids.
10. Snakes do not have eardrums, so they hear very poorly - these reptiles perceive sounds through vibrations of water or earth (see).
11. Turtles feel even the slightest touch on their shell.
12. Although everything modern reptiles- cold-blooded animals, tegu lizards have learned to launch a special chemical reaction, artificially increasing the temperature in the body to attract partners.
13. In Australia, 40 thousand years ago there lived land crocodiles that did not enter the water at all (see).
14. Most reptiles can only make primitive sounds, such as hissing or whistling.
15. The most massive snake on the planet is the anaconda, which can reach almost 7 meters in length. This reptile weighs from 30 to 70 kilograms. At the same time, the reticulated python is recognized as the longest snake on Earth, growing up to 7.5 meters.
16. The length of a chameleon's tongue can reach 50 centimeters.
17. The skull bones of many snakes are movable so that their owners can open their mouths extremely wide and swallow large prey.
18. Turtles appeared on Earth earlier than dinosaurs (see).
19. Most reptiles are lousy parents. They do not care at all about their offspring and rely on the independence of the babies born. The only exception to this rule is turtles.
20. Crocodiles cannot chew - they tear their victims into pieces and then swallow the resulting pieces. They even have a special tooth designed for dismembering prey.
21. Over the course of a lifetime, alligators grow more than 3,000 new teeth to replace those that are broken or lost.
22. The temperature in the place where the reptile eggs were laid affects the sex of the embryos within them.

Scientists from Oxford analyzed search queries on Wikipedia pages and compiled a ranking of the most “popular” reptiles in the world.

Scientists analyzed 55.5 million views of English Wikipedia pages, which talk about 10,002 species of reptiles. It turned out that the greatest interest is in species that are poisonous and dangerous to humans, as well as reptiles with large body masses or those that are endangered. The results of this work can play a significant role in decisions about the conservation of endangered species.

10. Common boa constrictor

It reaches a length of 2 - 3 m in captivity and up to 5 - 5.5 meters in nature. Distributed in South and Central America and the Lesser Antilles. It feeds on small mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles.

9. Nile crocodile

Is largest crocodile in Africa and is considered the second largest crocodile in the world after the saltwater crocodile. Reaches a length of 5.5 m. Average duration The lifespan of Nile crocodiles is 45 years, but there are specimens that are at least 80 years old. According to various sources, the frequency of attacks by Nile crocodiles on people ranges from 200 to 1000 cases annually.

8. Leatherback turtle

These are the largest living turtles: the largest specimen measured had a total body length of 2.6 m, a front flipper span of 2.5 m, and a mass of 916 kg. Their shell is not connected to the skeleton, consists of small bone plates and is covered with dense skin.

7. Mississippi alligator

One of two known species alligators. Lives in North America and is considered endemic to the southeastern United States, where it is farmed for its hide and meat. Alligators often eat prey that may seem unusual to them - they will attack bobcats, Florida panthers, Florida cougars, black bears, and also eat fruit.

6. Cottonmouth

A poisonous snake that lives in bodies of water in the southeastern United States. One of the five species of snakes, which account for up to 95% of all snake bites in USA. The consequences of its bite are very painful, but deaths are extremely rare. They live well in captivity, quickly get used to their owner, and willingly eat dead food. They cannot be kept with other snakes due to the fact that the water snake eats them.

5. Arizona Venomtooth

A poisonous lizard found in the southern United States and Mexico. The length of an adult reaches up to 60 cm, of which approximately 15-17 cm is occupied by the tail. An adult serpentine can eat up to 35% of its body weight at one time. When fed abundantly, it quickly accumulates fat in the tail.

4. King Cobra

The largest poisonous snake world, living in tropical forests South and South-East Asia. The largest known specimen reached a length of 5.7 m. King cobras grow throughout their lives, and they live for more than 30 years. In nature King Cobra feeds mainly on other species of snakes, including highly poisonous ones, for which it received its scientific name - Ophiophagus hannah (“snake eater”). Can go without food for about three months.

3. Saltwater crocodile

Also known as the saltwater crocodile, man-eating crocodile, submarine crocodile, saltie, estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile. This is the largest modern reptile. Males saltwater crocodile can reach 7 m in length and weigh up to 2000 kg and are the only living crocodiles to regularly grow over 5.2 meters. In ancient times, like Nile crocodile, was an object of fear and worship.

2. Black Mamba

A poisonous snake common in Africa. The black mamba is extremely notorious dangerous snake, the bite of which, before the advent of antidotes, was invariably fatal. However, it is not aggressive and avoids human contact whenever possible, only attacking when caught off guard or cornered.

1. Giant Indonesian monitor lizard

The giant Indonesian monitor lizard, also known as the Komodo dragon or Komodo dragon, is common on the Indonesian islands. Length of living in wildlife individuals reach 3 meters and weigh 70 kg. There are many known cases of monitor lizards attacking people (especially children), including fatal ones. Unfortunately, at present their number only continues to grow.