Reptiles or reptiles are a group of vertebrate biological organisms and are usually classified as cold-blooded scaly organisms or animals. Reptiles are classified as cold-blooded animals because they cannot produce heat from their own bodies.
Well, curious about the unique facts of reptiles? Why are snakes always considered a scary animal from time to time? Come on, see the following article.
1. There are thousands of species that belong to the group of reptiles
At least, there are about 8,700 species of organisms that fall into the group or class of reptiles, written in Britannica. Snakes, crocodiles, lizards, turtles, alligators, and the like are just a few of the types of reptiles that exist in this world. In fact, ancient dinosaurs are also included in the class of ancestors of reptiles.
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2. It has existed since 315 million years ago
Reptiles have existed since ancient times. (wikimedia.org)–
Reptiles have existed since ancient times. The picture above is the oldest reptile in the world that is scientifically named Hylonomus lyelli. According to the page Nature, reptiles with a length of 20 cm has been on Earth since 315 million years ago and prey on insects as its main food.
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3. Experiencing complex evolution
Reptiles and bird evolution. (pexels.com/Pixabay)–
Reptile animals include organisms that undergo complex evolution. Reptiland on its website explains that birds are a species produced through the evolution of dinosaur reptiles in ancient times. This long process took 65 million years and made birds – although separate – considered related to reptiles.
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4. The world’s smallest reptile is only the size of a human finger
The smallest reptile in the world. (phys.org)–
Nano chameleon is the smallest reptile animal in the world measuring only 1.3 cm or the tip of a human finger. Reported by page BBC, The smallest lizard or reptile was discovered by a German expedition team conducting research in Madagascar. If it’s this small, it looks like an insect, right?
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5. Hibernation in reptiles is called brumasi
Brumation in crocodiles. (amazing.zone)–
Brumation is a biological action performed by cold-blooded animals in reducing activity and metabolism during winter. This is similar to hibernation in mammals and warm-blooded animals in general. Uniquely, brumation can be done to the extreme like the picture above.
Crocodiles can brumation in winter and immerse in frozen lakes for a certain period of time, usually around 4 full months. This extreme way is done as a form of adaptation of the body in the face of fierce weather in the wild.
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6. The strongest reptile bite is crowned on a crocodile
Crocodiles have a strong and deadly bite. (pexels.com/Pixabay)–
Reported National Geographic, The strongest reptile bite is the crocodile bite which can reach 3,700 PSI. This figure is only slightly below the bite force of a great white shark. Besides being strong, crocodile bites are also very deadly because they can make a circular motion to destroy their prey.
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7. The most venomous reptile on land is the inland tycoon ular
The most venomous snake on land. (worldatlas.com)–
The inland taipan is the most venomous snake on land. In addition to the inland tycoon, the black mamba snake also has a venom that can kill an adult human quickly. According to Australian Museum, The inland tycoon is a snake with a very strong neurotoxin venom, it even has compounds hyaluronidase, namely enzymes that will accelerate the absorption of toxins in human blood.
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8. Ancient reptiles learned to fly for millions of years
There were ancient reptiles that could fly. (smithsonianmag.com)–
Posted in the page Science Daily, there is a type of ancient organism called pterosaur which is believed by many scientists to be a transitional species between ancient reptiles and birds. On the one hand, they are reptiles, but on the other hand, they are also considered as birds. It took millions to 100 million years of evolution to produce a reptile species capable of flight.
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9. Anacondas and their ancestors are the largest constrictors on Earth
Anaconda is the largest snake species. (dinoanimals.com)–
The anaconda is a semi-aquatic species that can be found in tropical areas of South America, written in Live Science. The anaconda and its ancestor, the titanoboa, are the largest and heaviest species of snake on Earth. Titanoboa has a length of 17 meters and weighs 1 ton. Meanwhile, modern anacondas are 8 to 12 meters long and weigh 500 to 800 kilograms.
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10. Even though crocodiles are more vicious, snakes are still crowned as the most feared reptiles
Snakes are the most feared reptiles. (pexels.com/Mark Broadhurst)–
Why are snakes always feared by humans? That’s because civilization and culture have always placed snakes as deadly animals, and even become symbols of evil. Page History explained that there are so many legends and myths in human civilization that always intersect with snakes as the antagonist.
In fact, only a small percentage of snakes have deadly venom or venom. Most snakes are not venomous and also fall prey to other predators. One more thing, snakes are a species that is very afraid of humans, not the other way around. Misconceptions about snakes have become the biggest source of human fear of snakes themselves.
Well, some of the scientific facts about reptiles above are indeed quite unique and add insight, right? Apparently, reptiles have existed since ancient times, yes!
Also Read: 7 Deadliest Animals for Humans in the World, What Animals Are There?
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