Really Radical Reptiles Trivia Quiz

Answer: They are carnivorous

The most dominant feature of all reptiles is that they are all cold-blooded. Many lay in the sun to increase their body temperature. They are also all vertebrates and all breathe oxygen. They have a complete lack of hair or fur and instead have skin covered with scales and/or scutes. Reptiles lay eggs with a leathery or hard shell which requires internal fertilization. They are tetrapods, meaning they either have four limbs or have ancestors who had four legs. Although many reptiles are carnivorous, many are omnivores or herbivores (notably many species of tortoises or turtles).

The reptilian class is made up of four separate orders: the Crocodilians, the Sphenodontians, the Squamatans and the Testudines. The Crocodilia order is made up of crocodiles, alligators, gavials and caimans. The Sphenodontia order is made up only of tuataras. The Squamata order is made up of snakes, lizards and worm lizards. Finally, the Testudines are the tortoises, turtles and terrapins.

Answer: Reptiles go through metamorphosis, amphibians don't

In fact, it is the other way around. When reptiles hatch from their eggs, they look just like miniature adults. But when amphibians hatch they are in their "aquatic larval stage", meaning they are aquatic and wormlike before going through metamorphosis and changing in to fully grown adults.

If you were to touch a reptile, the skin would be dry and scaly. However, if you were to touch an amphibian the skin would be wet and slimy. Reptile eggs are hard and armoured but amphibians lack a hard shell and as a result have to be laid in or near water. Reptiles have claws (even most turtles) while amphibians lack claws and have webbed feet. Finally, amphibians have to spend their whole lives in or near water, while reptiles don't necessarily have to. So, while amphibians and reptiles are related, there are many differences which separate them. In fact, reptiles are more closely related to birds than they are to amphibians and some scientists even consider birds and dinosaurs to belong to the reptilia class under the branch of Saurischia.

Answer: False

In fact about two thirds of snakes are non-venomous, meaning about 500 snake species are venomous. Also, only about 30 or forty snake species are considered a danger to humans (less than 2%).

Snake venom is actually just modified saliva which snakes eject through their fangs. Snakes use their venom to kill or immobilize their prey, as well as to help break down their prey to make it easier for them to eat. However, snakes will also occasionally use their venom as a way of protecting themselves. They will never attack a human without a reason and in fact are quite scared of humans.

Answer: New Zealand

Tuataras are an ancient species of reptile and the only living reptile of the Sphenodontia order. Its name means "peaks on the back" in the Maori language, which refers to the spiny crest running along its back. Tuatara is both the plural and singular form of word; however "tuataras" is also accepted. It is sometimes referred to as a "living fossil", despite the fact that there are a few noticeable differences between modern tuatara and those from the Mesozoic era. There are two species of tuatara: the Northern tuatara and the Brothers Island tuatara. They are nocturnal, however they will bask in the sun occasionally to increase their body temperature. Adults are often cannibalistic and may eat their young. They are a threatened species due to introduced species and habitat loss.

In 1831 the British Museum received an example of the tuatara skull and classified it as a lizard. However, in 1867 a scientist of the British Museum named Albert Günther studied the species closer and discovered noticeable similarities between tuatara and birds, crocodiles and turtles. The order Rhynchocephalia was then proposed to classify it and its ancestors with, but it then became a member of the Sphenodontia order.

Answer: Saltwater crocodile

The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles, weighing up to 1000 kilograms (2200 pounds) and reaching up to six metres (19.7 feet) long. They are found in the tropical regions in northern Australia, south-east Asia and India. Studies show that they are quite intelligent, but also highly territorial and that, combined with their strength and size, makes them very dangerous to humans.

The crocodilia order is made up of crocodiles, alligators, gharials and caiman. They are closely related to birds and are one of the oldest living orders in the world. The saltwater crocodile is the largest and the smallest type is the Cuvier's dwarf caiman. They are found in North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Answer: Gecko

The Jaragua Sphaero (or dwarf gecko) and the Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero are the two smallest reptiles, both measuring up to just 18mm (3/4 inches). Both live only in very specific areas, the dwarf gecko in Jaragua National Park and the nearby forest and the Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero in, of course, the British Virgin Islands. They are both geckos, which are generally quite small in size.

Lizards belong to the Squamata order, which also includes snakes and worm lizards. They are extremely diverse and range from tiny geckos to the giant Komodo dragon (my favourite type of lizard), which can reach up to three metres long. They are found all over the globe excluding the Polar Regions.

Answer: Leatherback sea turtle

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of the Testudines, measuring up to 200cm (6.6 feet) in shell length and weighing up to 900 kilograms (2000 pounds). It is also the fourth largest living reptile. They are notable as having a higher blood temperature than other Testudines. Unfortunately, it is critically endangered due to predators, killing for food and bycatch. While the others are also large in size (excluding the Speckled padloper tortoise, which is the smallest of the Testudines), they aren't the largest.

Testudines can be found in waters all over the world. They are characterized by the shell they carry on their backs which serves as their home and for protection from predators. They are one of the largest reptile groups alive. Unfortunately, many species are endangered due to a variety of reasons including habitat loss or poaching.

Answer: Pacific Ocean

Hydrophiinae, or sea snakes, are found in the tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Ocean. They are all very venomous but bites are rare as they are quite shy and non-aggressive creatures. Even if bitten not a lot of venom is injected so there is little pain, although side-effects can be deadly. Like all reptiles they breathe oxygen, so they have to come up to the surface to breathe. Excluding the laticauda, they spend their entire life living under the water. Unlike most reptiles, they don't lay eggs and give birth to live young.

This again excludes the laticauda, which lays eggs on land.

Answer: Antarctica

There are no reptiles in Antarctica or any polar region because the polar climate is much too cold for them to survive in. Because reptiles are cold-blooded they can't independently change their own body temperature and need an external source (the sun) for them to do so.

This means reptiles can't survive in the freezing temperatures of Antarctica. If they did live in Antarctica, they would freeze up and die almost instantly. Another reason is because there is no stable food source in Antarctica for them to survive on. Reptiles can be found on every other continent in the world.

Answer: Herpetology

"Herpetology" comes from the Greek words "herpeton" meaning "creeping animal" and the suffix "logia". Some careers in the herpetology include field research, zoological or museum staff, reptile or amphibian breeding and more. Some famous herpetologists include Mark O'Shea, Phillip Purser and the "crocodile hunter" Steve Irwin.

Ornithology is the study of birds, ichthyology is the study of fish and entomology is the study of insects.