Reptiles of Zihuatanejo

CLASS REPTILIA

Class Reptilia comprises a diverse group of primarily terrestrial vertebrates that includes turtles, tortoises, lizards, snakes, crocodilians, and their extinct relatives such as dinosaurs. Reptiles are characterized by dry, keratinized scales or scutes that help reduce water loss, lungs for respiration, and the production of amniotic eggs, which can develop on land without the need for an aquatic environment. Most reptiles are ectothermic, relying on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. They occupy a wide range of habitats, from deserts and forests to wetlands, rivers, and oceans.