There are more than 8,200 living species of reptiles, and they are placed in four orders: Crocodilia, which includes crocodiles and alligators; Sphenodonti… 1. There are more than 8,200 living species of reptiles, and they are placed in four orders: Crocodilia, which includes crocodiles and alligators; Sphenodontia, or tuataras; Squamata, which includes lizards and snakes; and Testudines, such as turtles and tortoises. What are four characteristics of reptiles? Like reptiles, birds are vertebrates. Reptile skin is unique in the sense that it lacks feathers, does not have hair, and is not moist. How is its reproduction and digestive system. For example tortoises can live more than 150 years, alligators can live nearly 70 years. These characteristics are scales and amniotic eggs (eggs with an internal fluid membrane). Reptiles are ectothermic, which means they get their body heat from external sources. Dry Skin with Scales/Scutes. This article enlists some common characteristics of reptiles. They are considered as the first animals on land with the ability to live and multiply on land, with… Birds share many characteristics with reptiles. Find specific details on this topic and related topics from the MSD Vet Manual. … They have three-chambered hearts (except for alligators and crocodiles which have four-chambered... 4. Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates covered in special skin made up of scales, bony plates, or a combination of both. It is tough and scaly. What are reptiles? Reptiles have a dry skin that is covered with scales or scutes made of keratin. They are able to regulate their inner body temperature to the temperature of the environment. 2. They are ectothermic vertebrates. Characteristics of Birds What do a powerful eagle, a lumbering penguin, and a dainty fi nch have in common? The first and foremost characteristic of the reptiles is that are cold blooded. Reptile itself is a class (Reptilia) under phylum Chordata. They are very abundant animals, especially in warm habitats , whose name comes from … Scales are made of alpha and beta keratin and are formed from the epidermis (contrary to fish, in which the scales are formed from the dermis). Start studying Chordates 4 reptiles. They have three-chambered hearts (except for alligators and crocodiles which have four-chambered hearts) 4. They include crocodiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, and tor- toises. These characteristics are scales and amniotic eggs (eggs with an internal fluid membrane). What are the characteristics of mammals? Reptiles are cold-blooded animals with scales/scutes covering their skin. Reptile skin is covered with scutes or scales which, along with many other characteristics, distinguish reptiles from animals of other classes. All reptiles have a backbone, which means they are vertebrates. Reptiles Facts. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. We call reptiles a group of quadruped and vertebrate animals , of cold blood, whose main characteristic is to have a skin covered with keratin scales . Living reptiles are of four types: Turtles and Tortoises, Snakes and Lizards, Crocodiles and Caiman, and Tuatara. Their skin has scales, but no hair or feathers 3. They include crocodiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, and tor- toises. Most of them are tetrapods, with four legs or leg-like appendages. Reptiles Characteristics and Classification. The science which deals with study of modern amphibians and reptiles is collectively called herpetology.The body size ranges from 17 mm (0.7 inches) to 6 … Their skin has scales, but no hair or feathers. What's the difference between Amphibian and Reptile? The representatives of modern reptiles include turtles and tortoises, crocodiles and aligators, snakes, lizards, amphisbaenians and, tuataras. Other basic animal groups include amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, and mammals. Mammals are uniquely capable of regulating their body temperature via their metabolism and sweat glands. It is believed that reptiles started evolving around 330 million years ago and developed many abilities. The amniotes, reptiles, birds, and mammals, are distinguished from amphibians by their terrestrially-adapted egg, which is protected by amniotic membranes. General Characteristics of Class Reptilia 2. Seven major characteristics distinguish the 4,500 unique species of mammals from other animals. Reptiles belong to the class Reptilia under subphylum Vertebrata of phylum Chordata. General Characteristics of Class Reptilia: Some of the general characters of class Reptilia are listed below: 1.