Introduction to Reptiles

Reptiles can be easily recognized by their outermost layer of scaly skin. The class Reptilia has 4 orders. The order Rhynchocephalia includes only 1 living species, the tuatara, which is native to New Zealand. The order Crocodilia includes alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials (a crocodilian species native to the Indian subcontinent). The order Testudines contains tortoises and turtles, also called chelonians. Tortoises generally live on land, while turtles live in water. The order Squamata includes lizards and snakes.