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25 Fascinating Things To Know About Reptiles

Think about the heaviness of the saltwater crocodile. Boom! It weighs at least 1000 kilos or 2,200 pounds. Contrast that with the nano-chameleon also called the male Brookesia nana which was discovered in 2021. It is on record as the smallest reptile in the world with a nose-to-tail length of 22 mm or 0.87 inches. Isn’t the realm of reptiles fascinating?

Furthermore, these creatures have aspects that make them unique in the animal kingdom. They have general features such as being cold-blooded, shedding off the skin, and having scales on their bodies.

Better still, they have special adaptations such as the ability to hold breath while swallowing. Some like sea turtles can hold their breath for up to two hours while underwater. Let’s take an expedition into more discoveries about reptiles below.

Here are the 25 Fascinating Things To Know About Reptiles.

1. Reptiles belong to four orders

All reptiles fall under these classifications, Crocodilia which comprises crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. All members in this group have a four-chambered heart and their jaw is strong with powerful bites. They have sprawling legs and are the most intellectual of all reptiles due to their advanced brain.

Another group is the Sphenodontia which represents the tuataras. They are the least specialized compared to other reptiles. Their brain is equal in capacity to amphibians and their heart is three-chambered.

Moreover, the Squamata group is made up of lizards and snakes. Both have a three-chambered heart. Lizards use their four legs to run and climb, they can swim and change color when endangered. Snakes have no legs though their jaw is flexible to allow them to swallow their prey whole. They also inject venom to fight their foes.

The last group is Testudines which is made up of turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. They have a three-chambered heart, walk on four legs and have a hard shell that covers their body.

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2. Reptiles have existed for more than 300 million years

The existence of reptiles dates back to more than 300 million years ago. The earliest citations of reptiles looked like small lizards but they were not yet developed reptiles. Thus the earliest discovery of reptiles was the Hylonomus and Paleothyris which took place during the Carboniferous era.

3. All reptiles are cold-blooded

Being cold-blooded means their body cannot maintain a constant internal body temperature like mammals. Thus these animals depend on external sources to regulate their internal body temperatures. It means that when they need a warming effect, they lay under the sun. In the event they want to feel some cooling when feeling high heat, they move under shade or immerse in water or go near water sources.

4. They all have scales on their bodies

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Reptiles share the common factor of scales in all the reptile species. But these scales vary by size, shape, and structure in each species. The scales are a defense mechanism to shield them from predators. Also, the scales reduce water loss from their bodies, especially during dry seasons.

5. The reptile scales have high keratin levels

Keratin is also a substance in mammals and birds. In the case of humans, keratin is useful in the formation of hair tissues, nails, and the skin’s outer layer.

Furthermore, reptiles have unique keratin found on the scales known as β (beta) keratin. It causes strengthening and hardening of the scales. They also have α (alpha) keratin which is a little more flexible and in most reptiles it exists on other body parts and not on the scales.

6. Saltwater crocodiles are king in heaviness

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No other reptile in the world beats the saltwater crocodile in weight. It weighs about 1000 kilos or 2,200 pounds. It has a length of more than 23 feet or 6.5 meters. Thus this creature is credited as the largest reptile on the planet and is a dreadful predator in its space.

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7. The nano-chameleon takes the title of smallest reptile

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A 2021 scientific discovery revealed that the male Brookesia nana, better known as the nano-chameleon, is Earth’s tiniest reptile. It was found in Madagascar and its nose-to-tail length is less than 22 mm or 0.87 inches. It’s equal to the size of a seed and can fit on a human being’s fingertip. Its female counterpart is a bit longer at about 29 mm.

8. You can spot reptiles on all continents but not Antarctica

These animals inhabit hot and humid tropics but not extremely cold ecosystems like Antarctica. Hence reptiles live in deserts, rainforests, bodies of water, and so on. For example, snakes and lizards can be found on land, on trees, in underground tunnels, and even in water.

9. Reptiles have clear color vision greater than humans

Reptiles have four 4 types of color perceivers while humans have three (red, green, and blue). Subsequently, this enhances their ability to see distinctive colors better than humans. In contrast, cats and dogs have poor color perception as their sight is limited, and unable to notice some colors.

10. Most reptiles must hold their breath while swallowing

Reptiles lack a secondary palate which facilitates simultaneous swallowing and breathing in animals. The secondary palate divides the nasal and oral cavities so that both breathing and swallowing functions can go hand in hand.

To add on, since reptiles have no secondary palate, they only swallow with their breath held. Though snakes have a slight difference with the existence of glottis. So when eating snakes push their glottis to the side. This keeps the glottis open and hinders the prey from closing it, allowing the snake to breathe as it eats.

11. Reptiles have a vast range of diets

Some reptiles are carnivores meaning they feed on animals only. Members of this group feed on insects, birds, frogs, mammals, fishes, or other reptiles.

Additionally, there are herbivorous reptiles that go after plant material only. The land tortoise is a perfect fit in this category and feeds on plant matter like leaves and grass. Omnivorous reptiles eat both animal and plant products.

12. Reptiles tend to have a long life

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Many reptiles have a long life span. The alligators and crocodiles can live between 50 to 70 years while tortoises and turtles may reach over 100 years.

A perfect illustration of long life in reptiles is the Seychelles giant tortoise known as Jonathan. He lives in the British water territory of Saint Helena island in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was discovered in Seychelles and he is believed to exist since 1832 making him 191 years old in 2023.

13. They experience low metabolism

Most reptiles have a slow metabolism rate which is partly contributed by the reason that they swallow their prey whole without chewing. The slow metabolism acts as a food storage strategy and many reptiles can survive in areas with limited food resources for long periods.

To boot, snakes can go up to two months without food, crocodiles as well can survive several months without food. In cases of extreme food scarcity, crocodiles can live without food for a few years.

14. Some reptiles have their sense of smell on the tongue

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Lizards and snakes like most animals have nostrils but they use the tongue to detect scents. When snakes flick out their tongue, they collect scent particles (chemicals) in their surrounding.

Afterward, the snake takes back the tongue to the roof of its mouth where Jacobson’s organ is located. This organ then distinguishes the exact scent and the direction from which it’s coming.

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15. Reptiles can shed skin

All reptiles have the unique characteristic of shedding their skin at some point in their lives. This process is called molting and it paves the way for growth as well as renewal in an animal once the old skin peels off. When reptiles are younger, they tend to shed their skin more times than in their advanced years.

16. Some reptiles have the prowess to walk on vertical spaces

Lizards especially geckos are renowned for their strength in walking on smooth vertical surfaces and hanging upside down. This defiance of gravity rules happens due to the tiny hairs called seta positioned on the feet of these animals.

Furthermore, the hairs create a large surface area on the feet of the geckos which enhances grip. Also, van der Waals forces come to play which causes interactions between non-bonded surfaces forcing them to attract or repel with each other.

To add on, van der Waals forces hold that neither surfaces (walls or gecko feet) are charged. Only the molecules making up the feet (hairs) and wall are polarized to enable their interaction as they attract or repel.

17. Reptiles never get soggy

Their scaly and dry skin is watertight and never absorbs or allows water to penetrate the internal body. Hence, their bodies remain dry keeping them from wetness.

18. They have no sweat glands

Mammals and birds use their fur and feathers respectively to insulate the body to keep heat during cold seasons. During high heat sweat glands in humans and other mammals regulate perspiration through sweating. Both activities (sweating and heat retention) stabilize the internal body temperatures of the animals.

With reptiles, since they are cold-blooded, they experience neither such regulation of internal body temperatures. They depend on external sources like the sun or shade as needed. So reptiles don’t experience sweating due to a lack of sweat glands.

19. Green iguanas can’t stand low temperatures

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This species of reptile is rendered immobile when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or thereabout. They become cold-stunned and seem to be dead. As a result, they may fall off trees. But once temperatures return to a favorable state, they regain their mobility.

20. Some reptiles can regrow their tails

Most lizard species have the power to regrow tails once they lose or have them damaged. The species with a regeneration ability include most iguanas, salamanders, skinks, geckos, bearded dragons, and anoles. A few lack this power and they are marine iguanas, chameleons, monitors, and crested geckos among others.

21. The turtles and tortoises have no teeth

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The lack of teeth in turtles and tortoises makes these animals the only reptiles without teeth. Thus their jaws are hard, horny, and sharp-edged resembling a bird’s beak to ease feeding. The jaws are also broad offering a large surface area to enable them to crush shells of mollusks.

22. Reptiles help keep in check the population of other animals

Reptiles help in maintaining a population balance in both capacities as predator and prey. Since they feed on insects and mammals they help control the population of these animals in their habitats. They are also prey to other animals which also streamlines the reptile population as well.

23. Some reptiles can run bipedally

The lizard species are prominent with the bipedal mechanism. The agamids and monitor lizards can run in the posture. There is also a type of basilisk lizard species that can run on water bipedally even though it’s only for short distances.

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24. Sea turtles can hold their breath for up to 2 hours

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When sea turtles are in active motion, they swim to the water’s surface every few minutes to catch a breath. In case they are resting, they can stay underwater for about two hours without breathing.

25. Reptile Awareness Day happens in October

Every year on October 21, the US marks the national Reptile Awareness Day. It is an opportunity for reptile enthusiasts to celebrate and spread the word of their passion.

To add on, it’s also a great chance for anyone interested in learning about reptiles. You can gain knowledge on aspects such as reptile habitats, risks faced by the species, and much more.

Life on Earth is diverse and reptiles remind us of the extensive beauty of nature. They play important roles in the world of nature such as population control. Besides that, they have unique characteristics worth appreciating and learning about.