Class: Reptilia

National Aquarium in Baltimore

National Aquarium in Baltimore

Reptiles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates which are fully adapted to terrestrial life, having lungs with which to breathe, scaly skin, and eggs with shells. Though adapted to terrestrial life, some reptiles--like sea iguanas, crocodilians, sea snakes, and sea turtles--prefer to spend a lot of their time in the water.

Reptiles are divided into four orders: Squamata (lizards and snakes), chelonia (turtles and tortoises), crocodilia (crocodilians), and rhynchocephalia (of which the lizard-like tuatara is the only member).

NOAA

Tuatara.. © Taronga Zoo.