The Amazing World of Snakes and Lizards
An Internet Hotlist on Lizards and Snakes

created by Megan T

Introduction | Sites for the Young | Great Pictures and Information | TONS of Information


Introduction


While there are many classes of animals in the phylum Chordata, let's specifically look at those in the class reptila, subclass Lepidosaura. To put it simply, these are reptiles known as snakes and lizards. The main characteristic of reptiles is skin with scales. A snake is a reptile without legs. Snakes are cold-blooded and scaly. All snakes are carnivores. This means that they eat meat. While smaller snakes eat bugs and frogs, larger snakes eat animals such as mice, birds, or fish. To eat animals larger than its mouth can open, snakes can dislocate their jaw. Venomous snakes inject poison through their teeth when they bite. They either kill their prey or make it become paralyzed. One of the most well-known snakes is the rattlesnake, which warns of an upcoming bite with a rattling sound made by shaking its tail.

Lizards are reptiles as well. When you think of lizards, you probably imagine small, scaly reptiles. Yes, some retiles are small, but others can be huge, such as the Komodo Dragon. This is a lizard that originated on an island called Komodo in Indonesia. Another well-known type of lizard is the horned lizard species, usually found in Texas. Most types of lizards can live in habitats such as forests, prairies, and glades. There are many kinds of lizards found in the world and many are specific to certain areas and climates.



The Internet Resources

Sites for the Young

Great Pictures and Information

TONS of Information

created by Filamentality Content by Megan T
http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/listlizardsme.html
Last revised Tue Mar 9 11:40:02 US/Pacific 2004