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Introduction

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Selected reptile type

Turtles from different families; clockwise from top-left: Red-bellied short-necked turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, and Galápagos tortoise

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

The freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni), also known as the Australian freshwater crocodile, Johnstone's crocodile or the freshie, is a species of crocodile endemic to the northern regions of Australia. Unlike their much larger Australian relative, the saltwater crocodile, freshwater crocodiles are not known as man-eaters, although they bite in self-defence, and brief, nonfatal attacks have occurred, apparently the result of mistaken identity. (Full article...)

Selected lizard article

Draco volans, also commonly known as the common flying dragon, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia. Like other members of genus Draco, this species has the ability to glide using winglike lateral extensions of skin called patagia.

The species is exclusively arboreal. (Full article...)

Selected turtle article

Box turtle is the common name for several species of turtle. It may refer to those of the genus Cuora or Pyxidea, which are the Asian box turtles, or more commonly to species of the genus Terrapene, the North American box turtles. They are largely characterized by having a shell shaped like a dome, which is hinged at the bottom, allowing the animal to close its shell tightly to escape predators. Furthermore, the two genera are very different in habitat, behavior and appearance, and are not even classified in the same family. Even though box turtles became very popular pets, their needs in captivity are complex and the capture of turtles can have serious detrimental effects on the wild population.

The box turtle commonly lives over twenty years, with verified cases of lifespans exceeding 40 to 50 years. There have been unverified cases of box turtles living for a hundred years and more. (Full article...)

Picture slideshow

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

Selected snake article

The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the largest species of snakes. It is native to a large area of Southeast Asia and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Until 2009, it was considered a subspecies of the Indian python, but is now recognized as a distinct species. It is an invasive species in Florida as a result of the pet trade. (Full article...)