Reptile Facts

Reptiles have always fascinated us. Perhaps they are the only species which cover a very diverse panorama. No wonder reptile facts have always intrigued us. To begin with, reptiles belonging to 8000 species can be found everywhere on the earth, except of course in the extremely cold regions.

How reptiles respond to various climatic changes:

1. They are called cold blooded because they derive heat from external sources to keep themselves warm, unlike humans.
2. Although reptiles cannot bear very cold climate, the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea Blandingii) can swim in ice lakes.
3. It is commonly believed that chameleons change their color according to their background, but reptile facts state otherwise. They change color only when scared or angry, or due to changes in the temperature

Lifespan and reproduction related facts of reptiles:

1. Reptiles live a long life. The Aldabra tortoise lives to be 150 years of age while the alligator can easily reach 70 years of age. Pythons live for as long as 40 years.
2. It is believed that when a snake grows old, it sheds its skin. On the contrary, it is the younger ones who shed their skin since they grow faster.
3. The belief that snakes lay eggs only is a myth. The Boa Constrictor and rattle snakes bear their young ones.

Dietary facts of reptiles:

1. Huge snakes like the reticulated python or the Anaconda, can live for months without food. They eat in huge bulks, and as their metabolism is slower than us, they take time to digest it.
2. Reptiles have a very unique way of hunting. They do not smell with their noses. Tongue is their smelling organ, which when flicked, catches the scent in the air, thus helping them to catch their prey.
3. Some snakes like the Genus Dasypeltis or the egg eating snake found in Africa, eat only eggs. They swallow the whole egg, and after eating the nutritious part, throw away the shell.
4. The skull of a snake is very different from that of humans. It is made up of numerous small bones which make it flexible, thus enabling it to eat a prey twice the size of its head.

Other reptile based facts:

1. It is a myth that all snakes are poisonous. Reptile facts state nearly 2/3rds of the species are non-poisonous while only 500 species are discovered to be poisonous, out of which only 30 to 40 harm humans.
2. There is a common belief that snakes are slippery and slimy. In fact, snakes have scales made up of keratin, which is the same material that constitutes our fingernails and hair. It makes their skin dry and cold.
3. The Anaconda is supposed to be the heaviest, the reticulated python, the longest and the King Cobra, the most venomous of them all.
4. The Gecko, another species of reptile, lets go of its tail if caught by the predator, and replaces with a new tail. It is one of its ways to defend itself.

There are many intriguing reptile facts which are still left untold. Isn’t absolutely amazing? And you always thought that you knew much more than required about your pet. As you’ll get closer to your pet and as your observance becomes stronger, you’ll be able to state your very own facts based on your knowledge and experience.