[...]... hiding places, and plenty of food, rainforests harbor the most diverse range of reptiles and amphibians Mountain Since montane species must be able to adapt to long periods of cold weather, only some specialized salamanders, frogs, lizards, and snakes, notably vipers, inhabit the mountains Wetland Wetlands are home to many frogs and salamanders, as well as reptiles, notably the crocodilians and freshwater... farmed, although snakes and lizards are not Other species are collected for the pet trade Skin trade Reptiles are skinned and the hide is stretched, dried, and tanned to make consumer products, including belts, bags, and shoes conSeRvAtion 19 hAbitAt chAnge Land development for industry, agriculture, and the expansion of cities has changed and fragmented many areas where reptiles and amphibians were... of species near the Arctic Circle, and no amphibians or reptiles in Antarctica Temperate forest Seasonal climatic changes and shade favor amphibians over reptiles in this habitat, although many turtles, snakes, and lizards live in forest edges or sparse woodland where they can bask Most temperate species hibernate in winter Towns and cities Some geckos, frogs, and snakes have benefited from urbanization... 16 inTRoducTion reproduction Reptiles and amphibians can be divided into species that lay eggs and species that give birth to live young The diversity of reproductive behavior is enormous and depends on a combination of family traits and the selective pressure under which the species have evolved SalaMandeRS and newTS Most salamanders and newts have internal fertilization, and lay their eggs in the water... (Anura) 55 6,337 10 InTRoDUCTIon habitat and distribution Reptiles and amphibians are found throughout the world except the most northern and southern latitudes, where the climate is too cold for them The presence or absence of reptiles and amphibians in a region is due to an interplay of climate and habitat Desert Reptiles and, to a lesser extent, amphibians have colonized the world’s deserts with great...what are reptiles and aMphibians? 9 CharaCteristiCs of aMphibians Amphibians are moist-skinned vertebrates, closely linked to water Most of them spend their larval stage in water and their adult stage on land Amphibians rely partly on their moist skin for respiration, and they occupy a large range of damp, humid habitats, with the greatest... sponges; and the alligator snapping turtle is a fish-eater SnakeS All snakes are carnivores, eating a wide range of prey, from insects and worms to large mammals A number of snakes are specialized feeders, preying, for instance, on venomous arthropods such Herbivore The Galapagos tortoise grazes on grass and other low-growing plants and shrubs It feeds continuously throughout the day as scorpions and centipedes,... 1 Snakes, lizards, and amphisbaenians (Squamata) 69 9,556 Crocodilians (Crocodylia) 3 25 aMphibians Class Amphibia Amphibians are unevenly divided into three orders, with the order Anura accounting for order nearly 90 percent of all species of amphibians faMilies speCies Newts and salamanders (Caudata) 9 671 Caecilians (Gymnophiona) 10 199 Frogs and toads (Anura) 55 6,337 10 InTRoDUCTIon habitat and. .. out and gently carries them to the water snakes Most snakes lay eggs, and reproductive trends tend to follow taxonomic relationships For example, all boas give birth to live young, as do most garter snakes, water snakes, vipers, and pit vipers, although there are exceptions A few species guard their eggs, including the king cobra and egg-laying vipers Pythons coil around their eggs to guard them and, ... several sea snakes, and seven marine turtles A few species of freshwater turtles, crocodilians, lizards, and snakes may tolerate brackish or salt water for short periods, but there are no amphibians KEY Desert Tropical forest Mountain Wetland Grassland Temperate forest Uneven distribution The tropics are the richest in species and the numbers decrease toward the poles; there are only a handful of species . diverse range of reptiles and amphibians. Wetland Wetlands are home to many frogs and salamanders, as well as reptiles, notably the crocodilians and freshwater turtles. Terrestrial amphibians often. SPECIES US_008-009-What_are _Reptiles _and_ Amphibians. indd 9 26/03/14 3:25 PM 10 habitat and distribution Reptiles and amphibians are found throughout the world except the most northern and southern latitudes,. they are laid. SALAMANDERS AND NEWTS Most salamanders and newts have internal fertilization, and lay their eggs in the water. Some lay their eggs on land, however, and others retain their