Characteristics of Reptiles
Are reptiles "cold-blooded" or "warm-blooded"?
"cold-blooded"!
Name one species of invasive snake in Florida.
Burmese Python, Ball Python, etc.
True or False? Sea turtles shed their shell and grow brand new shells multiple times throughout their life.
False!
Which has a pointier snout, crocodiles or alligators?
Crocodiles!
Name one species of invasive lizard found in Florida.
Green iguanas, green ameivas, grey anoles, etc.
What are the more scientific names for "cold-blooded" and "warm-blooded"?
Ectotherm and Endotherm, respectively.
How do snakes climb trees?
Specialized scales on their belly that act as a ladder.
Name three things that sea turtles like to eat.
Jellyfish, seaweed/seagrass, crustaceans.
Can crocodiles and alligators live together in the same habitat?
Yes! They can live together in brackish water.
Explain the difference between non-native and invasive.
Non-native- when an animal resides in a place where they are not originally from.
Invasive- when an animal resides in a place where they are not originally from and they harm the natural balance of the current ecosystem there.
What three kinds of "skin" or "protection" can reptiles have?
Scales, scutes, and shells!
Explain the difference between venomous and poisonous predators.
Venomous = injection
Poisonous = ingestion
Name ALL seven species of sea turtles.
Leatherback
Loggerhead
Green
Hawksbill
Flatback
Olive Ridley
Kemp's Ridley
Explain the difference between a crocodile's and an alligator's teeth when they close their mouth.
Alligators- you cannot see their teeth when they close their mouth.
Crocodiles- you can see their teeth when they close their mouth.
Are Alligator Snapping Turtles native to Florida?
Yes!
True or False? Turtles have only scales, not scutes.
False!
Why do snakes have a forked tongue?
They use their forked tongue to taste air particles and see if those particles come from the left or right.
How can light pollution harm sea turtles?
It disorients the baby sea turtles at night and leads them towards the city instead of towards the ocean!
True or False? Crocodiles have hollow teeth.
True! They have hollow teeth to leave space for new teeth to grow in constantly!
Explain why the Pet Trade has led to lots of invasive reptiles species in Florida.
When someone buys an exotic reptiles as a pet, often times they want to give it up at a certain point. Many people will just release this animal into the Everglades...and then they populate and take over!
Do reptiles prefer to lay on light or dark colored surfaces when basking? Explain your answer.
Dark! Because dark colors absorb the sunlight more, making the surface warmer.
What "special adaptation" is the Apalachicola (Frankie) Kingsnake known for?
HINT: Some say he might be a danger to his other snake friends!
They will eat other venomous snakes!
Which three species of sea turtles are known to nest on Broward County beaches?
Loggerheads, leatherbacks, and greens!
What National Park has the highest alligator population in the entire world?
Everglades National Park right here in Florida!
Do terrapins live in freshwater or saltwater?
Freshwater, they are freshwater turtles!