Marine Birds and Reptiles

Characteristics of Birds and Reptiles

• Birds:• Lay shelled eggs• Breathe O2 from air• Have oiled feathers to protect

them from environment• Endothermic

• Reptiles:• Lay shelled eggs• Breathe O2 from air• Have scales and thick skin to

protect them from environment• Ectothermic

Sea Turtles

• There are 7 species of sea turtle. 5 are endangered.• Live most of their lives in the open ocean.• Return to land to nest.• Turtles nesting in Florida include green sea turtles and leatherback

turtles.• Have developed streamlined bodies and flippers to adapt to their

marine lifestyle.

Leatherback Turtles

• Largest sea turtles alive today• Eat jellyfish almost exclusively• Shells are not solid bone• Often migrate long distances for food

Sea Snakes

• 62 species live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans• More poisonous than land snakes• Grow between 4 and 5 feet long• Live very close to shore• Tend to be very docile

Marine Adaptations

• Have flattened bodies to help swim• Can absorb oxygen through their skin but cannot move on land• Have lacrimal salt glands• Most lay eggs in the water (Laticauda)

Marine Iguanas

• Live only on the Galapagos Islands• Dive up to 30 ft. to forage for algae• Uses mucous glands in its nose to expel salt• Must warm itself after a dive• Will shrink without food

Saltwater Crocodile

• Only one species in Southeast Asia, one in the Americas• Males average 15-17 ft. long, females ~10 ft.• Apex predator throughout its range• Mating pairs stay together during incubation, female cares for young• Asian species extremely dangerous to humans

Marine Adaptations

• Have lacrimal salt glands• Asian species can cross large distances of ocean

Penguins

• 17-20 species• Live throughout the Southern Hemisphere• From 1 ft. to 4 ft. tall• Spend around half their time on land• Active hunters; eat fish and squid