1. Common Characteristics
2. Classification
3. Crocodiles
4. Lizards
5. Snakes
6. Turtles

Marine Reptiles

1. Ectothermic
2. Lay or retain shelled eggs
3. Scales of keratin
4. Respire with lungs

Four Family Classification

1. Crocodilids (Crocodiles)
2. Iguanids (New-World Lizards)
3. Hydrophids (Sea Snakes)
4. Chelonids (Sea Turtles)

Marine Crocodiles

1. Six species
2. India, Australia, S. America & Caribbean
3. Inhabit mangrove swamps

Habits of Marine Crocodiles

1. Feed on fish, birds and mammals

Marine Iguana

1. One species
2. The only marine lizard
3. Galapagos Islands
4. Evolved from the S. American river iguana

Habits of Marine Iguanas

1. Salt glands in nostrils excrete excess salt which is discharged as a brine spray
2. Feed on seaweed in shallow waters

Sea Snakes

1. Fifty species
2. Tropical Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific
3. All close relatives of cobras
4. Highly venomous

Anatomy of Sea Snakes

1. Average length 3 feet (up to 9 feet)
2. Colorful with bands of black, purple, brown, gray, green or yellow

Habits of Sea Snakes

1. Ovoviviparous (females retain eggs in their reproductive tracts giving birth to young snakes in the sea)
2. Active fish predators

Sea Turtles

1. Five species
2. Live in shallow, warm, coastal waters
3. Forelegs shaped like paddles excellent for swimming but not for walking

Sea Turtle Anatomy

1. Large animals that live 15 to 30 years
2. Leatherback is the largest, averaging 90 kg with records up to 550 kg

Physiology of Sea Turtles

1. Slow metabolic rate
2. Capable of short bursts of speed
3. Larger species can remain active in cold waters
4. Salt glands around eyes empty through tear ducts

Habits of Sea Turtles

1. Green turtles feed on seagrass but others eat invertebrates including jellyfish
2. Migrate long distances to beach of birth
3. Lay 100 eggs at a time in sand above the high tide line