Reptiles And Birds Objectives

Reptiles and BirdsObjectives Explain the traits that allow reptiles to live on land. Describe the characteristics of an amniotic egg. Name the four groups of modern reptiles, and give anexample of each. Describe two kinds of feathers. Describe how a breathing, muscles, and skeleton help it fly. Identify the differences between flightless birds, waterbirds, perching birds, and birds of prey.

I. Characteristics of ReptilesA. Reptiles are well adapted for life on land.B. Thick Skin: Reptiles have thick skin that forms awatertight layer that keeps cells from losingwater.C. Body Temperature: Nearly all reptiles areectotherms. They are active when it is warmoutside, and they slow down when it is cool. Theydo not live in very cold environments.

I. Characteristics of ReptilesD. The Amazing Amniotic Egg: An egg that holds fluid that protectsthe embryo is called an amniotic egg. Reptiles, birds, andmammals have amniotic eggs.E. Reptiles eggs also have a shell. The shell protects the embryo andkeeps the egg from drying out.F. A reptile’s eggs can be laid under rocks, in the ground, or even in thedesert.

II. Kinds ofReptilesA. Turtles and TortoisesGenerally, tortoises live onland, and turtles spend all ormuch of their lives in thewater. However, even seaturtles come on land to laytheir eggs.1. The trait that makesturtles and tortoises sounique is their shell. Theshell gives themprotection, but also makesthem slow and inflexible.

II. Kinds of ReptilesB. Crocodiles and Alligators: Crocodiles andalligators spend most of their time in thewater. Because their eyes and nostrils are onthe top of their flat heads, they can hide withmost of their body under water.

II. Kinds of ReptilesC. Snakes and Lizards Today, the most commonreptiles are snakes and lizards.1. Snakes have many adaptations for hunting.They can “taste” if their prey is nearby.2. Some snakes have venomous fangs for killingprey. Other snakes squeeze their prey untilthey suffocate it.3. Snakes swallow their prey whole.4. Most lizards eat small insect and worms, butsome lizards eat plants.5. Many lizards can break their tails off toescape predators and then regrow new tails.

II. Kinds of ReptilesD. Tuataras Tuataras live on only afew islands off the coast of NewZealand.1. Although they look similarto lizards, the two reptileshave some obviousdifferences. Tuataras donot have visible ear openings.2. Unlike other reptiles, tuatarasare most active when thetemperature is low.

III. Characteristics of BirdsA. Birds share many characteristicswith reptiles such as beingvertebrates, having scales onparts of their bodies, and layingamniotic eggs with shells.B. Birds have unique characteristicssuch as laying eggs with hardshells, and having feathers,wings, and a beak.C. Birds can also maintain aconstant body temperature.

IV. FeathersA. Feathers help birds stay dry and warm, attract mates, and fly.B. Preening and Molting Birds take good care of their feathers. They use theirbeaks to spread oil on their feathers in a process called preening. Preeninghelps waterproof the feathers and keep them clean.C. Molting is the process of shedding old feathers and growing new ones.

IV. FeathersD. Two Kinds of FeathersFluffy feathers that lie nextto a bird’s body are calleddown feathers. Downfeathers help birds staywarm.E. Contour feathers are stifffeathers that cover a bird’sbody and wings. Contourfeathers help some birdsattract mates and fly.

V. FlightAdaptations ofBirds

V. FlightAdaptations ofBirds

VI. Kinds of BirdsA. Scientist group living birds into28 different orders. Songbirdsmake up the largest order.B. Birds are often grouped into fournonscientific categories: flightlessbirds, water birds, perching birds,and birds of prey.C. These categories do not includeall birds, but they do show howdifferent birds can be.

VII. Flightless BirdsA. Running and Swimming Notall birds fly. Most flightlessbirds do not have the largekeel that anchors birds’ flightmuscles.B. Instead of flying, someflightless birds run quickly tomove around. Others areskilled swimmers.

VIII. Water BirdsA. Many flying birds are alsocomfortable in the water. Thesewater birds include cranes, ducks,geese, swans, pelicans, and loons.B. These birds usually have webbedfeet for swimming or long legs forwading.C. Some water birds have a rounded,flat beak for eating plants or smallinvertebrates. Others have a long,sharp beak for catching fish.

IX. Perching BirdsA. Perching birds have special adaptations for resting onbranches. Songbirds, such as robins, warblers, andsparrows, make up a large part of this group of birds.B. When a perching bird lands in a tree, its feetautomatically close around a branch. Sleeping birds willnot fall off the branch.

X. Birds of PreyA. Birds of prey hunt and eatother vertebrates. Thesebirds may eat insects orother invertebrates inaddition to mammals, fish,reptiles, and birds.B. Birds of prey have sharpclaws on their feet andsharp, curved beaks. Theyalso have very good vision.

C. Snakes and Lizards Today, the most common reptiles are snakes and lizards. 1. Snakes have many adaptations for hunting. They can "taste" if their prey is nearby. 2. Some snakes have venomous fangs for killing prey. Other snakes squeeze their prey until they suffocate it. 3. Snakes swallow their prey whole. 4.