Zoology Report On Reptiles Essay, Research Paper

A. Adaptations: enabled them to live their entire life without water.

1) lungs – most have 2 but snakes have 1 which fits neatly into its slender body

* How canthey breathe while eating then??

a special tube in the mouth that extends outside the snake’s mouth while swallowing so doesn’t suffocate

2) scaly skin

a. dry and leathery

b. advantage: helps prevent loss of water in dry environment

3) toes, claws, suction cups – help climb and dig (some are legless Ex. snakes)

4) amniotic egg

a. do not need water for development

b. creates a protected environment for the embryo

c. parts:

1. Amnion – membrane enclosing the salty fluid in which the embryo floats

2. Yolk Sac – encloses the yolk which is rich in nutrients and nourishes the embryo

3. Allantois – stores waste

4. Chorion – lines the outer shell, encloses the embryo and other membranes – also aids in gas exchange between egg and outside environment

5. Leathery Shell – waterproof but porous