Reptiles – one of the fierce and most feared creatures in the animal kingdom. But do you know that some of them are gentle animals. Read on to learn more amazing facts about these reptiles.
Smallest Chelonian
Of all the chelonians-turtles, tortoises and terrapins – the smallest is the Speckled cape tortoise or speckled padloper (Homopus signatus). It has a shell length of 6-9.6 cm (2.3-3.7 in) – so small that the tortoise can hide in tiny gaps between rocks.
Fastest Lizard
In a series of experiments conducted by Professor Raymond Huey from the University of Washington, USA, and colleagues at the University of California at Berkeley, USA, the highest burst speed recorded for any reptile on land was 34.9 km/h (21.7 mph) achieved by Ctenosaura, a spiny-tailed iguana from Central America.
Longest Reptilian Incubation Period
Of all the egg-laying reptiles, the tuataras have to keep their eggs warm the longest before they are ready to hatch. Scientists have recorded tuataras incubating eggs for as long as 13 to 15 months before their offspring emerge from their shells.
Largest Crocodile Eggs
The estuarine, or Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is found throughout the tropical regions of Asia and the Pacific. The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Orissa State, India, houses four, measuring more than 6 m (19 ft eight in) in length, the largest being over several unauthenticated reports of specimens up to 10 m (33 ft) in length. Adult males average 4.2-4.8 m (14-16 ft) in length and weigh about 408-520 kg (900-1,150 lb).
The False gharial (Tomiostoma schlegelii), a crocodilian with long, narrow jaws and a slender snout native to south-east Asia, lays eggs that typically measure 10×7 cm (3.94×2.76 in). Despite its name, recent studies have shown that the false gharial is more closely related to other gharials than crocodiles and alligators.
Largest Venomous Lizard
Measuring up to 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in) and weighing around 70 kg (154 lb 5 oz), the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard. In 2009, researchers at Melbourne University, Australia, discovered that the reptile also possesses a pair of venom glands in its lower jaw that secretes a venom containing several different toxic proteins.
Fastest Crocodile on Land
The Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) can attain speeds reaching 17 km/h (10.56 mph) when in full gallop-a mode of terrestrial locomotion that only a few species of crocodile can accomplish. Native to Australia, this crocodile rarely grows large than 2.5-3 m (8-10 ft).
Most Acute Nocturnal Colour Vision
Unlike most other animals with nocturnal vision, the Helmeted gecko (Tarentola chazaliae) can perceived colors at night. This is thought to be due to the higher density of colour-sensitive large cone cells in the lizard’s retinas.
Largest Tortoise
The Giant tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra) of the Galapagos Islands are the largest tortoise species. A specimen named Goliath, who resided at the Life Fellowship Bird Sanctuary in Seffiner, Florida, USA, from 1960 until his death in November 2002, was 1.35 m (4 ft 5.5 in) long, 1.02 m (3 ft 3.6 in) wide, 68.5 cm (2 ft 3 in) tall and weighed 417 kg (920 lb),
Country with Most Venomous Snake Species
Australia not only contains more species of venomous snake than any other includes among those snakes no less than nine of the world’s top 10 most venomous snake species. These include such (in) famous serpents as the Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)-perhaps the world’s most venomous snake-the eastern Brown snake (Pseusonaja textilis) at the number two spot, the Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) third and the Tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) fourth.
The crocodiles and snakes are really scary, but I am fond of turtles. We had turtles before when I'm still young. These list of different varieties of crocodiles, turtles and snakes are really well detailed.
Oh my,they all look scary, idol, especially the largest venomous lizard!
The snake made me cringe, I have total fear for snakes!
I am not a fan of reptiles at all, especially snakes. I get too scared even by just looking at them.
Weird they surely are and scary looking, too! I can only stand looking at the tortoise for the longest amongst all. Lol.
those reptiles are giving me the creeps! Yikes!
The first picture is no naughty he he.. I've learn so much about reptiles in your post thanks for sharing po 🙂
I have learn so much about reptiles on this post thanks for sharing po. By the way the first pix is so naughty ha ha
The tortoises are so funny in that photo.
Not really fond of reptiles. I'm scared of them.
LOLed at the first photo. hehehe
oh no, they are all scary…maybe those turtles will be not if they will just put their head inside their shell, hehehe! thanks for sharing another heaps of info about these reptiles. 🙂
Rarest indeed! These creatures really makes me feel….??? That picture number 1, what they're doing..wrestling?
i will bear in mind the creatures i need to be aware of when we visit Australia and go camping – the venomus snakes, scary!
Whoah! Scary! These creatures really freaks me out, big time!
The chelonians are wayyyy too cute!
Great introductory, the turtle, and just wondering why does the female's tongue is out?
Oh am gee, I pray I may never get to come face to face with the dangerous animals 🙂
I love the huge tortoise! 🙂
Oh am gee, I pray I may never get to come face to face with the dangerous animals 🙂
I love the huge tortoise! 🙂
Animals are amazing! There is always something you don't know about them.
They do look weird and have unusual characteristics, but they are amazing. Seeing those geckos made me miss our home in Bohol. We had boarders in our home, a family of gecko and they live at the back of our kitchen cupboard. 🙂