Physical World/Reptiles

From Quiz Revision Notes
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Gila monster


Heloderma suspectum


Venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and Mexico

A drug derived from Gila monster’s saliva is used to manage type 2 diabetes

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Komodo dragon


Varanus komodoensis


Largest living lizard, growing up to a length of 3 metres. Named after an island in Indonesia

Largest animal to undergo parthenogenesis

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Tuatara


family Sphenodontidae


Endemic to New Zealand

Their name derives from the Maori language, and means "peaks on the back"

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Goanna


genus Varanus


Australian monitor lizard

Features prominently in Aboriginal mythology

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Saltwater crocodile


Crocodylus porosus


Largest reptile (the Nile crocodile is the second largest reptile). The males of this species can reach sizes up to 6.3 m (20.7 ft) and weigh up to 1,360 kg (3,000 lb)

The most dangerous breed of crocodile to humans

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Gharial


Gavialis gangeticus


Also known as the gavial. Native to the northern part of the Indian Subcontinent

Characterised by its extremely long, thin jaws. Males develop a hollow bulbous nasal protuberance at the tip of the snout upon sexual maturity

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Caiman


subfamily Caimaninae

Caimans inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small crocodilians

Closely related to alligators

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Inland taipan


Oxyuranus microlepidotus


Also known as the fierce snake

Considered the most venomous snake in the world; based on the median lethal dose value in mice. Endemic to Australia

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Green anaconda


Eunectes murinus

A boa species found in South America. It is the largest, heaviest, and second longest (behind the reticulated python) known extant snake species

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King cobra


Ophiophagus hannah

The world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.7 m

Ophiophagus is a Greek-derived word which means "snake-eater", and its diet consists primarily of other snakes

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Black mamba


Dendroaspis polylepis

Native to sub-Saharan Africa

It takes its common name not from the colour of its scales, but from the interior of its mouth, which is inky-black. The venom of the black mamba is highly toxic

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Eastern diamondback


Crotalus adamanteus


A venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest though not the longest venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake

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Sidewinder


Crotalus cerastes


A rattlesnake found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Also known as the horned rattlesnake

As its body progresses over loose sand, it forms a letter J-shaped impression

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Galapagos giant tortoise


Chelonoidis nigra

Largest living species of tortoise – can weigh up to 250 kg

Giant tortoises exist only on two remote archipelagos: the Galapagos, and Aldabra in the Indian Ocean

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Leatherback sea turtle


Dermochelys coriacea

Differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. It is capable of maintaining an elevated body temperature, which allows it to swim in cold waters. Largest of all living turtles

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Hawksbill sea turtle


Eretmochelys imbricata

Easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its sharp, curving beak, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins

Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes