Reptiles

Snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians all belong to the class of animals known as reptiles. Of the 275 or so species found in North America, there are about 110 kinds of snakes, 110 kinds of lizards, nearly 50 turtles, and just 3 crocodilians.   Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates that breathe with lungs and have dry, scaly skins.  Lizards and snakes are covered with overlapping scales, while turtles and crocodilians wear a covering of large adjoining plates.  Both scales and plates conserve moisture and provide protection against predators.  Unlike birds and mammals, reptiles cannot regulate their body temperature internally.  They warm up by basking in the sun and cool off by staying in the shade.  Refer to each of the following categories for photos of some of the more common reptiles found in Florida. Information accompanying the images of the species shown in the following links was taken from the following books: A Field Guide to Snakes by Alan Tennant Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians (Parts 1 & 2) by Ray E. Ashton, Jr. and Patricia Sawyer Ashton Florida's Fabulous Reptiles & Amphibians by Pete Carmichael and Winston Williams Guide to Florida Turtles by Robert Anderson.   Crocodilians Lizards Snakes Turtles