Reptile Facts

The reptile facts on this page might inspire you to acquire one or two reptile pets, so you can observe for yourself their fascinating nature.
Some reptiles can have an impressive lifespan. The tortoises on the Galapagos Islands have been known to live more than 200 years. As far as a reptile pet, the Leopard gecko can live 25 to 30 years and the ball python can live up to 40 years. Something to consider: if you are 30 years old now, you might still be buying a pinky mouse once a week for your ball python when you're 70 years old! Quite a few reptiles were around when the dinosaurs first appeared, somehow they have survived which definitely demands some respect from the humans that read about them.

Even though it's long been thought that the dinosaurs were reptiles, the dinosaurs were actually much more closely related to birds and crocodiles. It is also believed that the majority of dinosaurs were warm blooded -just like birds.

Reptiles are considered ectothermic, which in basic terms means cold-blooded. When talking about reptile facts, it must be mentioned that their bodies cannot internally produce heat. They must regulate their heat with outside sources. The sun is the obvious source from which they can absorb heat. They have to bask in the sun in order to raise their body temperature to the point where they can digest of their food.

Alternatively, they need to hide from the sun to avoid overheating. If you are building a reptile habitat make sure they have a place to bask on, as well as a place in which to hide.

The advantage that cold-blooded animals have is that they do not require as much food as warm blooded animals. Warm blooded creatures such as you and me are constantly using energy (burning calories) to maintain our body temperature -in the neighborhood of 98.6°.

Reptiles rely on a heat source to maintain their temperature, so they are not using up as much energy as mammals. When it gets cold, reptiles tend to slow down -if not hibernate, eating very little if anything at all. Mammals have to keep catching a certain amount of food in order to survive.

One of the more interesting reptile facts is concerning cobras. A cobra has no ears, so when a snake charmer plays a pipe like flute, the snake is actually following the motion the person is making with his or her musical instrument. The flute, usually in a gourd shape, mimics the look of another snake and the cobra rises up and prepares for a defense. Occasionally king cobras will actually take on and kill Indian elephants. They do this by repeatedly striking the trunk of the elephant.

Another important snake reptile fact is concerning the coral snake and the milk snake. The harmless milk snake will mimic the look of the highly poisonous coral snake. The milk snake's colors: that of red and yellow are always separated by black bands. The poisonous coral snake has its yellow and red sections touching. You should probably leave both alone if you're not experienced with them.

The largest living reptile would be the Komodo dragon. The longest one was measured at around 10 feet. Up until 25,000 years ago a giant Australian monitor lizard known as Megalania priscus existed and measured roughly 23 feet long and weighed about 500 pounds. Was it the largest reptile ever? Who knows...

One of the more fascinating reptile facts has to do with chameleons. They're usually thought of as lizards who change their skin color and texture to suit their environments. What's more accurate is that they will change their skin color or intensity and brightness according to their mood; or in their attempts at regulating their temperature.

On a television show about animals with special talents the chameleon ranked number one in abilities beating out such superstars as the cheetah or the dolphin. As mentioned above, the chameleon can change its outer appearance, it also has the talent of moving its eyes independent of each other. In addition to this it has the ability to stretch out its tongue a fair distance to catch unsuspecting prey. It also has a specialized gripping system with its feet that allow it to traverse small vines easily.

If that wasn't enough it has the talent of mimicking a branch or leaf swaying in the breeze to again fool unsuspecting prey. No other creature has as many gifts than the chameleon.

If these reptile facts have inspired you to acquire a reptile pet, make sure you are familiar with all aspects of care concerning a possible pet reptile. One of the more important things to consider is creating a practical reptile habitat. This website has many different structures with free demonstrational videos concerning the creation of an aesthetically pleasing reptile habitat.

If you are thinking of getting a lizard for a pet, be sure and read several care sheets in the lizard care sheet section.
Also, check out the Lizard store for fun lizard products!