Page 186 - Ultimate Visual Dictionary (DK)

ANIMALS

Lizards and snakes

LIZARDS AND SNAKES BELONG to the order Squamata, a division of the class EXAMPLES OF
Reptilia. Characteristic reptilian features include scaly skin, lungs, and SNAKES
cold-bloodedness. Most reptiles lay leathery-shelled eggs, although some MEXICAN
MOUNTAIN
hatch the eggs inside their bodies and give birth to live young. Lizards
KING SNAKE
belong to the suborder Lacertilia. Typically, they have long tails, and (Lampropeltis
shed their skin in several pieces. Many lizards can regenerate a tail triangulum
annulata)
if it is lost; some can change color; and some are limbless.
Snakes make up the suborder Ophidia (also called EXTERNAL FEATURES
Serpentes). All snakes have long, limbless bodies; OF A LIZARD
can dislocate their lower jaw to swallow large
prey; and have eyelids that are joined together
to form a single transparent covering over BANDED MILK
Eye
the front of the eye. Most snakes shed SNAKE
(Lampropeltis
their skin in a single piece. Constrictor Mouth
ruthveni)
snakes kill their prey by squeezing;
venomous snakes poison their prey. External Crest
nostril
Eardrum
Skull Orbit
Scapula
Masseteric scale
Cervical vertebrae
Phalanges Dorsal scale
Metacarpal
Carpals
Humerus
Ulna
Rib Thoracolumbar
Radius
vertebrae
Pelvis
Sacrum
Femur
Tibia
Fibula Tarsals
Dewlap
Metatarsal

Foreleg
Caudal Phalanges
vertebrae
SKELETON
OF A LIZARD

Belly
Ventral scale

Toe
Claw

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