Class Reptilia - Characteristics Features -
- This class includes lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises and crocodiles.
- They show creeping motion, so they are called creeping chordates.
- They are usually terrestrial.
- They possess dry, scaly and cornified skin. They are adapted to live in deserts.
- They do not have an external ear. Tympanum is responsible for hearing sensation.
- They have a three-chambered heart with a partial septum in the ventricle. Crocodiles have a four chambered heart.
- They have a monocondylic skull.
- They are cold blooded.
- Fertilization occurs internally.
- They are oviparous and development is direct.
- Their eggs contain a large yolk with an extra membrane called amnion. Amnion provides water to the developing embryo.
- Examples: Chelone (turtle), Testudo (tortoise), Bungarus, Vipera, Naja etc.
- Reptiles are cold blooded and amniotic.
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