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Reptiles

 

            
             Millions of years ago, when the world was warmer, giant reptiles roamed the Earth. Dinosaurs lived on the land, ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs swam the oceans and pterosaurs flew about in the air. These animals however, have long since disappeared, but there are still more than 6000 different types of reptiles, roaming the face of the Earth today. .
             Reptiles as we know them in present day, can vary in size and are all "cold-blooded" animals. Cold-blooded simply means that in cold weather, they are unable to stay warm and active. This is why most reptiles live in warmer climate regions. They have thick, scaly skins, which stop them from drying out in the sun and usually live in deserts, jungles, rivers and swamps. .
             The tortoise is one type of reptile with which we are familiar. They move slowly and pull their heads and legs inside their shells for safety. All tortoises are plant-eaters; spur-thighed tortoises eat grass and leaves a live in warm climates and are often times sold as pets. However, the snapping turtles are meat-eaters who live in rivers and lakes amongst the weeks waiting for fish to pass through.
             Another reptile living today is the crocodile. Mother crocodiles guard their nests, which are usually at the water's edge until her eggs hatch, at which point she transports the babies to a safe location where she nurses them. Nile crocodiles are ones who hunt silently for animals grazing along the banks.
             Crocodiles and alligators are the biggest, fiercest reptiles alive today though many species are quite rare. They are often hunted for their skins to make accessories such as shoes and handbags. The biggest crocodiles live in rivers and swamps primarily in Asia and Australia. They can often be 20 feet (6 m) in length.
             In addition, lizards are considered to be the most well known reptile. There are more species of lizard than any other sort of reptile. Most small lizards eat insects although there are some that eat plants and even meat.


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