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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

Draco spilonotus, the Sulawesi lined gliding lizard, is a lizard endemic to Sulawesi. The species is known from various localities in forested areas of Sulawesi.

The patagium of the male is yellow in colour and has a network of brown lines radiating from the anterior. The gular flag is yellow and rounded in shape. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

Black marsh turtle regulating body temperature in the sunlight

Siebenrockiella crassicollis (commonly known as black marsh turtle, smiling terrapin, and Siamese temple turtle, among others) is a freshwater turtle endemic to Southeast Asia. It is one of two species classified under the genus Siebenrockiella in the family Geoemydidae.

Black marsh turtles are small to medium-sized turtles that are almost completely black except for white to yellow markings on the head. They are largely aquatic and prefer slow-moving or still bodies of water with heavy vegetation. Black marsh turtles are also commonly kept as pets and as sacred animals in Southeast Asian Buddhist temples.

They are classified as endangered by the IUCN, being one of the several Southeast Asian turtle species heavily exploited for the international wildlife trade, particularly for food and traditional medicine in the Chinese markets. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

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

Selected snake article

Hydrodynastes gigas is a New World species of large, rear-fanged, Dipsadin snake endemic to South America. It is commonly and alternatively known as the false water cobra and the Brazilian smooth snake. The false water cobra is so named because when the snake is threatened it "hoods" as a true cobra (Naja species) does. Unlike a true cobra, though, it does not rear up, but remains in a horizontal position. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid. (Full article...)