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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

West African slender-snouted crocodile

Mecistops is a genus of crocodiles, the slender-snouted crocodiles, native to sub-Saharan Africa. (Full article...)

Selected lizard article

Preserved museum specimen

Draco mindanensis, commonly known as the Mindanao flying dragon or Mindanao flying lizard, is a lizard species endemic to the Philippines. Characterized by a dull grayish brown body color and a vivid tangerine orange dewlap, this species is one of the largest of the genus Draco. It is diurnal, arboreal, and capable of gliding.

The Mindanao flying dragon inhabits regions of primary and secondary-growth forests. There appears to be a dependence on primary dipterocarp forest for this species' survival. D. mindanensis is noted for being a bioindicator for the forested regions of Mindanao.

Threatened heavily by deforestation, the IUCN has listed D. mindanensis as vulnerable. Currently, there are no specific conservation efforts being made to preserve the species. Rather, there are projects that target the protection of the habitats in which the Mindanao flying dragon lives. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

Beale's eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae (formerly Bataguridae). The species is endemic to China. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

Image 1Eastern long-necked turtle
Image 2Red-headed Amazon River turtles
Image 3Plumed basilisk
Image 4Jackson's chameleon
Image 5Rough chameleon
Image 6Gold dust day gecko
Image 7Common box turtle
Image 8Aldabra giant tortoise
Image 9Green sea turtle
Image 10Trachylepis striata
Image 11Species of Ceratopsia dinosaurs
Image 12Marine iguana
Image 13Carolina anole
Image 14Vipera xanthina
Image 15Sinai agama
Image 16Indian chameleon
Image 17Cape skink - Trachylepis capensis. Close-up on purple Aster flowers.
Image 18Marginated tortoise hatchling
Image 19Gold dust day gecko close-up
Image 20Trachylepis maculilabris mating
Image 21Anole at Polychrotinae
Image 22 Albino alligator
Image 23Bosc's fringe-toed lizards during courtship
Image 24Yacare caiman
Image 25Namaqua chameleon
Image 26Steneosaurus
Image 27Asian 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 28Cerastes cerastes
Image 29Ladder snake
Image 30Leiocephalus carinatus
Image 31Eastern bearded dragon
Image 32White-headed dwarf gecko
Image 33Sicilian wall lizard
Image 34Leiocephalus personatus
Image 35Morelia spilota
Image 36Mexican beaded lizard
Image 37Mwanza flat-headed rock agama
Image 38Gold dust day gecko
Image 39Bothriechis schlegelii
Image 40Niveoscincus metallicus
Image 41Barracudasauroides
Image 42Namaqua chameleon
Image 43Vipera dinniki
Image 44Common collared lizard
Image 45Plestiodon fasciatus
Image 46Green sea turtle
Image 47A green sea turtle swimming above a coral reef.
Image 48Thamnophis elegans terrestris at Western terrestrial garter snake
Image 49Green sea turtle
Image 50Australian water dragon
Image 51Phelsuma grandis
Image 52Italian wall lizard
Image 53Dwarf yellow-headed gecko

Selected snake article

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a species of highly venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. It is native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. First formally described by Albert Günther in 1864, it is the second-longest venomous snake after the king cobra; mature specimens generally exceed 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and commonly grow to 3 m (9.8 ft). Specimens of 4.3 to 4.5 m (14 to 15 ft) have been reported. Its skin colour varies from grey to dark brown. Juvenile black mambas tend to be paler than adults and darken with age. Despite the common name, the skin of a black mamba is not black, but rather describes the inside of its mouth, which it displays when feeling threatened.

The species is both terrestrial (ground-living) and arboreal (tree-living); it inhabits savannah, woodland, rocky slopes and in some regions, dense forest. It is diurnal and is known to prey on birds and small mammals. Over suitable surfaces, it can move at speeds up to 16 km/h (10 mph) for short distances. Adult black mambas have few natural predators.

In a threat display, the black mamba usually opens its inky-black mouth, spreads its narrow neck-flap and sometimes hisses. It is capable of striking at considerable range and may deliver a series of bites in rapid succession. Its venom is primarily composed of neurotoxins that often induce symptoms within ten minutes, and is frequently fatal unless antivenom is administered. Despite its reputation as a formidable and highly aggressive species, the black mamba attacks humans only if it is threatened or cornered. It is rated as least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species. (Full article...)