Reptiles are a cool group of critters – and not just because they are cold-blooded! In this post, you will read about the different types of reptiles: snakes, lizards, turtles, tuataras, and crocodilians. Each of these groups has its own unique characteristics but also has several key traits shared with all reptiles.
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Reptiles are part of a bigger category of animals called vertebrates, which means they all have a backbone. There are seven different groups, or classes, of vertebrates on Earth. These include amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles, and three kinds of fish.
Reptiles are not always the easiest group to define. There is a lot of diversity within this group. From legless snakes to shelled turtles and armored crocodiles, the reptile group has some incredible creatures. Unlike other classes of vertebrates, scientists now know that the group we call reptiles is not an isolated evolutionary lineage. This means that some members of the reptile group are not quite as closely related as we once thought they were.
What counts as a reptile?
Some reptiles might seem very different from one another, but all types of reptiles share a few special traits. You can use these traits to help you identify reptiles:
- A backbone
- Breathe air with at least 1 functional lung
- Scales or scutes
- Ectothermic
From the cute gecko to the venomous rattlesnake, and everything in between, there are so many unique creatures to discover in the world of reptiles! The main types of reptiles covered in this post are: lizards & snakes, tuataras, turtles, and crocodilians.
1. Lizards
Order:
- Squamata
- Note: snakes and lizards belong to the same order
Key traits:
- Usually (but not always) four limbs
- Long tail
- External ear holes
- Scales
Fun Facts:
Some species of lizards can drop their own tails when they feel threatened. This is a great defense because a predator will be distracted by the tail while the lizard escapes. The tail later regrows.
Examples:
Skink, gecko, iguana, chameleon, anole
2. Snakes
Order:
- Squamata
- Snakes belong to the suborder Serpentes
Key traits:
- No limbs
- Long, slender body
- Forked tongue
- No ear holes
- Scales
Fun Facts:
Snakes have nostrils for breathing but smell using their tongues.
There are about 600 venomous snake species in the world, but only a few poisonous snake species.
Examples:
Cobra, python, rattlesnake, boa, garter snake
3. Tuatara
Order:
- Rhynchocephalia
Key traits:
- Four limbs
- Long tails
- Spiny back
- No ear holes
- Scales
Fun Facts:
The tuatara is only found in New Zealand. Despite its lizard-like looks, the tuatara is not a lizard. Lizards and snakes are in the order Squamata, but the tuatara belongs in its own order, Rhynchocephalia. All animals in this order except for the tuatara are extinct today.
4. Turtles
Order:
- Testudines
Key traits:
- Four limbs
- Short tail
- Bony shell with scutes
- No ear holes
- Scales
Fun Facts:
Turtles and tortoises can live to be very old. The Galapagos giant tortoise can live for over 150 years. Even small turtles can live for decades. Many people do not realize a pet turtle can be a lifelong responsibility!
Examples:
Snapping turtle, sea turtle, desert tortoise, box turtle
5. Crocodilians
Order:
- Crocodilia
Key traits:
- Four limbs
- Long tails
- Semi-aquatic
- Covered in scutes
- Large predators with powerful jaws
Fun Facts:
Crocodilians are some of the closest living relatives of the dinosaurs.
The saltwater crocodile, the largest crocodilian, can reach a length of over 20 feet (6 meters)!
Examples:
Alligator, crocodile, caiman
Study Reptiles in Your Classroom:
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References and Further Reading
- Discovery UK (2019). What On Earth Is A Tuatara? | Modern Dinosaurs (YouTube Video). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44JUXPzEI2U
- Greater Cleveland Aquarium (2019). EXPLORING SIMILARITIES, CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES: AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. Available: https://www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com/exploring-similarities-celebrating-differences-amphibians-and-reptiles/
- Uetz, P. (1996). General Information (and “FAQ”). The Reptile Database. Available: http://www.reptile-database.org/db-info/introduction.html