Reptiles & Amphibians

Reptiles are a class of vertebrates made up mostly of snakes, turtles, lizards, and crocodilians: American Alligator & American Crocodile. These animals are most easily recognized by their dry, scaly skin. Almost all reptiles are cold-blooded, and most lay eggs—though some, like the boa constrictor, give birth to live young. Instead of possessing gills like fish or amphibians, reptiles have lungs for breathing. The American Alligator has its own gallery on this site. Amphibians are a class of cold-blooded vertebrates made up of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (wormlike animals with poorly developed eyes). All amphibians spend part of their lives in water and part on land, which is how they earned their name “amphibian” that comes from a Greek word meaning “double life.” These animals are born with gills, and while some outgrow them as they transform into adults, others retain them for their entire lives. (The National Wildlife Federation & Florida Museum)