VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

REPTILES

• The repilian class has about 6457 species and evolved from the primitive amphibians.
• Birds and mammals have evolved from reptiles. Reptiles are the ectothermic animals and air breathing vertebrates.
• Turtles are the most ancient reptiles and the snakes the most recent. Since the reptiles share many anatomical features with bird, both the reptile and birds are some times considered together in the single group entitled as “Sauropsida”.
• It consists of chelonians, crocodiles, lizards, snakes etc. Reptiles are seen in all continents except Antarctica and on most islands.