Reptiles
What has scaly skin, a weird tongue, and a temperature that changes with the weather? Join Bill Nye the Science Guy as we investigate the spectacular survival adaptations of the most ancient creatures on Earth!
The Scaly Survivors!
They are warming up their blood! Because reptiles are cold blooded, their bodies do not generate their own internal heat. They must physically absorb thermal energy from the sun just to get enough energy to move and hunt!
It is made of their own ribs and backbone! A turtle shell is not just a hard house they wear. The top part is called a carapace, which is formed from their ribcage growing together into one solid bone covered by protective scales!
Put Your Instincts to the Test
Think about the unique biology of reptiles. Pick an answer for each question, then see if your instincts were right.
Hard shiny proteins just like human fingernails! Unlike fish scales which are separate plates attached to the outside, a reptile scale is a highly durable protein structure that grows as a natural part of their skin.
Because they lay soft eggs in the water and lack scaly skin! Frogs and salamanders are amphibians. True reptiles possess waterproof scaly skin and lay protective hard shelled eggs on dry land!
It locks moisture safely inside their bodies! Because reptiles cannot afford to lose precious water through sweating, their thick waterproof scales prevent their bodies from drying out in harsh desert environments!
Understanding the Science
Tap each card to uncover the spectacular biological secrets that allow reptiles to dominate wild habitats.
Key Concepts
Cold Blooded
Tap to learn moreAnimals that cannot generate their own internal heat, meaning their body temperature constantly changes with the local weather conditions.
Scales
Tap to learn moreHard shiny plates made of natural protein that cover a reptile, acting like waterproof armour to keep valuable moisture locked inside.
Hard Shelled Eggs
Tap to learn moreA reproductive breakthrough that safely protects growing reptile babies from drying out or being crushed on dry land.
Carapace
Tap to learn moreThe thick upper bone section of a tortoise shell, created by the ribs and backbone physically fusing together over millions of years.
Venom
Tap to learn moreA highly dangerous toxic liquid injected through hollow fangs, used by specialised snakes to quickly paralyse their prey.
Camouflage
Tap to learn moreThe incredible ability of chameleons to actively change their skin colour to match heat levels and visually blend into their surroundings.
Amphibian
Tap to learn moreAnimals like frogs and salamanders that lack waterproof scales and must safely lay their soft eggs in ponds and streams.
Energy Conservation
Tap to learn moreBecause they do not burn calories to stay warm, reptiles can incredibly survive for weeks without eating any food!
Try It: The Cold Blooded Temperature Lab
Welcome to the survival desert!
The Mission: You must monitor the internal body temperatures of our two desert animals. Press the massive round activation buttons to drastically change the weather from scorching sun to freezing night. Observe exactly how the warm blooded mouse reacts compared to the cold blooded lizard!
Apply Your Knowledge
Let us see if you can correctly identify the unique characteristics of different animal families.
Match the Concepts
Click an animal group to select it, then click the matching biological description to place it.
and possesses eyes that look in different directions
created by a naturally fused backbone and ribcage
because it entirely lacks waterproof scaly skin
red and yellow warning rings along its body
Real World Challenge
Bill Nye the Science Guy demonstrates how reptiles rely entirely on the outside temperature to regulate their blood. Explain exactly how this cold blooded trait allows an alligator to survive for many weeks without eating a single meal, while a warm blooded human must eat constantly!
What Has Changed Since This Episode Aired
This episode originally aired in 1995. While the fundamental biology of a crocodile has not changed in millions of years, the technology we use to safely study and interact with these dangerous reptiles has completely transformed!
Updated: Scientists now use genetic tracking and safe tracking drones! Instead of wrestling alligators to see what they eat, modern biologists simply test the swamp water for Environmental DNA fragments. By analysing microscopic genetic traces floating in the water, a supercomputer can instantly determine exactly what fish and insects the local reptiles have been hunting without anyone ever touching an alligator!
Updated: Welcome to the age of synthetic biology! While traditional venom milking is still used, geneticists have now completely mapped the DNA sequences of the most dangerous snake venom. Using advanced laboratory cell cultures, scientists are pioneering synthetic antivenoms created entirely in test tubes, promising a safer and much cheaper way to save victims of snake bites around the world!
Test Your Understanding
Answer these questions and get instant feedback. How many can you get right?
Results
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Reflection
Because they do not burn calories to generate their own internal body heat, massive crocodiles can easily survive for many months without eating a single meal. How does this incredible energy conservation make reptiles perfectly suited for harsh environments where food is extremely scarce?
Episode Discussion
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