Portal:Amphibians and Reptiles

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The Amphibians and Reptiles Portal

Amphibians (class Amphibia; from Greek αμφις "both" and βιος "life") are a taxon of animals that include all living tetrapods (four-legged vertebrates) that do not have amniotic eggs, are ectotherms, and generally spend part of their time on land. Most amphibians do not have the adaptations to an entirely terrestrial existence. There are around 6,000 described, living species of amphibians.

Reptiles (Reptilia; from Latin repere, "to creep") are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane. Today they are represented by four surviving orders: Crocodilia (crocodiles, caimans and alligators), Sphenodontia (tuatara), Squamata (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenids), and Testudines (turtles). Reptiles inhabit every continent except for Antarctica, although their main distribution comprises the tropics and subtropics.

Herpetology (Greek ἑρπετόν herpeton "to creep" and λόγος logos "explanation") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians.

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Selected article of the month

The Blue Iguanaor Grand Cayman Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is a critically endangered speciesof lizardof the genus Cycluraendemic to the island of Grand Cayman. Previously listed as a subspecies of the Cuban Iguana, it was reclassified as a separate species in 2004 due to genetic differences discovered four years earlier. The Blue Iguana is one of the longest-living species of lizard (possibly up to 69 years) and is a national symbol of the Cayman Islands.

The Blue Iguana prefers rocky, sunlit, open areas in dry forests or near the shore, as females must excavate cavities in the sand to lay eggs in June and July. Their vegetarian diet includes plants, fruits, and flowers. Their coloration is tan to gray with a bluish cast that is more pronounced during the breeding season, and more so in males. They are large and heavy-bodied with a dorsal crest of short spines running from the base of the neck to the end of the tail.

The fossil record indicates that the Blue Iguana was abundant before European colonization; but fewer than 15 animals remained in the wild by 2003, and this wild population was predicted to become extinct within the first decade of the 21st century. The species' decline is mainly being driven by predation by feral pets (cats and dogs) and indirectly by the destruction of their natural habitat as fruit farms are converted to pasture for cattle grazing. Since 2004, 219 captive-bred animals have been released into a preserve on Grand Cayman run by a partnership headed by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, in an attempt to save the species. Some success with naturally laid eggs has been reported in the wild. At least five non-profit organizations are working with the government of the Cayman Islands to ensure the survival of the Blue Iguana.

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Selected picture of the month

Credit: Uploaded by User:LiquidGhoul

The Glandular Frog or New England Tree Frog (Litoria subglandulosa) is a species of frog in the Hylidae family. It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, temperate shrubland, rivers, and pastureland. It is threatened by habitat loss.

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Did you know...

... that Gerobatrachus, an extinct genus of early amphibian, is considered by some scientists the missing link between frogs and salamanders?
... that the Gharial is the second-longest of all living crocodilians?
... that Desert Tortoise eggs can get so shiny they look like hardboiled eggs?

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Amphibians and Reptiles Categories

Tetrapods • Amphibians • Frogs • Salamanders • Reptiles • Crocodiles • Lizards • Snakes • Turtles • Reptiles by geography • Herpetology edit

Amphibians and Reptiles Lists

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WikiProject

WikiProject Amphibians and Reptiles edit

Topics about Amphibians and Reptiles

Herpetology: ophiology, frog zoology, herpetoculture, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Tetrapod Amphibians: Lissamphibia, frog, toad, salamander, newt, Caecilian, prehistoric amphibian, Chytridiomycosis, decline in amphibian populations, tadpole Reptiles: Crocodilia, crocodile, caiman, alligator, Sphenodontia, tuatara, Squamata, lizard, chameleon, gecko, gila monster, iguana, skink, snake, snakes in mythology, Serpent (symbolism), snakebite, snake venom, Amphisbaenia, Testudine, turtle, prehistoric reptiles

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Things you can do

As organized by WikiProject Amphibians and Reptiles, the current tasks are:

Create article for each Order and Family
Ensure all Family articles are taxonomically consistent
1. Ensure all articles between Order and Family rank are taxonomically consistent
Create article for each Genus
1. Ensure all articles between Family and Genus rank are taxonomically consistent
Create articles for all Species
1. Create links for all species articles on appropriate articles
2. Create lists of uncreated articles to add to category pages:
Create articles for aspects of amphibian and reptile biology, such as snake scales and vocal sac.