Reptiles and Amphibians
An eastern box turtle, one of many different types of reptiles found throughout the Bay watershed.
Reptiles are cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates with scaly skin. They spend much of their time on land. Most reptile species have a three-chambered heart.
Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates without scales. Their skin is moist and absorbent, and they lay their eggs in water. Amphibians live both on land and in water.
What types of reptiles and amphibians live in the Bay watershed?
The most common types of reptiles in the Bay region are turtles, snakes and lizards, all primitive relatives of birds. While birds maintain their body temperature with their feathers and by eating frequent meals, reptiles instead bask in the sun to keep warm.
The most abundant Bay watershed amphibians—which evolved from fishes—are frogs, toads, newts and salamanders.
- Frogs and toads are tail-less, instead having powerful hind legs for leaping.
- Unlike frogs, salamanders have tails.