CARD 1

BOA CONSTRICTOR
GROUP 3: REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Squamata
FAMILY
Boidae
.. GENUS &: SPECIES
Boa constrictor
A non-venomous snake, the boa constrictor is nevertheless one of
the most feared inhabitants of the jungle. But in reality it is much
less terrifying than many people imagine.
KEY FACTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3-20 ft.
Coloration: Cryptic; usually
broken patterns of brown and
cream, resembling leaf litter.
Preferred temperature: 80-90F.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years old.
Breeding season: In rainy season.
No. of young: 20-60 born alive.
LIFESTYLE
lifespan: 20-30 years.
Habit: Solitary, except during
breeding season.
Diet: Almost any mammal or bird
small enough to be swallowed.
RELATED SPECIES
There are several snakes in the
family Boidae, including the
anaconda. Boa constrictors are also .
related to pythons.
Range of the boa constrictor.
DISTRIBUTION
Principally the rainforests of southern Mexico, Colombia,
Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil , Paraguay, and parts of
Peru and Argentina. Also some islands, such as Trinidad.
CONSERVATION
Numbers dropping because of habitat destruction. Although
protected over much of it s range, many skins are still sold to
the leather trade each year.
I HOW A BOA KillS PREY
I A boa constrictor cannot chase and catch fast- suffocation. This is called killing by constriction and is
moving prey. Instead, it lies in wait for unsuspecting how the boa constrictor gets its name.
animals. When the prey is dead, the snake swallows it whole,
Once a victim is caught, the snake wraps its tail usually headfirst. It takes many days for the prey to be
around its victim's body and tightens its grip until completely digested in the boa's stomach; it graduall y
the prey can no longer breathe and dies of dissolves and passes through to the intestine.
'.
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The boa constrictor kills its prey by constriction.
Once it catches its victim, the snake wraps its body
around the prey in coils, tightening its grip
each time the victim breathes out. Eventually
no longer able to breathe, the prey
dies by suffocation.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The boa constrictor eats a
wide variety of food. Young
snakes eat mice, small birds,
lizards, and frogs. As the
snake grows, the size of its
prey increases. Adults will
eat monkeys, capybaras,
agoutis, caimans, and wild
pigs.
The boa is a good swim-
mer and spends a lot of
time near and in rivers. It
waits for any prey which
may come near the water to
drink. Once a victim has been
overpowered, it is swallowed
whole.
Since the boa is cold-
blooded and slow moving, it
does not require a great
amount of food. After eating
large prey, such as a wild pig,
the snake will not need to eat
for a week or more.
Below: Prey is swallowed
headfirst and whole.
~ BOA CONSTRICTOR & MAN
Man is the adult boa con- sidered a pest and is killed by
strictor's only enemy. farmers because it kills their
However, young boa chickens. It is believed that the
constrictors are preyed snake kills other types of
upon by a large variety of livestock as well.
forest-dwelling animals such Boa constrictors are also
as coatis, hawks, caimans, hunted for their skins, which
and wild pigs. are sold at high prices. They
In many parts of its range, are killed for food, and also
the boa constrictor is con- simply out of fear of them.
~ HABITAT
The boa constrictor's preferred
habitat is rainforest, but it is
also found in semiarid savan-
nah. Because its range covers
such a large area, the boa
constrictor varies considerably
in color, marking, and size. On
Hog Island, off Central Amer-
BREEDING
The boa constrictor has
appendages resembling claws
on each side of its vent
(genital opening). They are
the remnants, or vestiges, of
the hind limbs inherited from
the boa's lizard-like ancestors.
The appendages are generally
larger in males than females
and are thought to be used
by the male to stimulate the
female to mate.
After fertilization, the eggs
remain in the female's body,
where they develop over
several months inside thin
membranes. Unlike its close
relative, the python, the boa
constrictor gives birth to live,
fully formed young. The
protective membranes
rupture as the young are re-
leased. As many as sixty
ica, the boa constrictor is
seldom longer than 3 feet; in
most of Central America, it
reaches 10 feet, while in
Trinidad and Venezuela, it can
grow to 20 feet.
In the warmer areas, the
boa constrictor is active
Right : Female
with her
newborn
young.
Far right: A
boa constrictor
uses its
prehensile
(capabJeof
grasping) tail
to anchor itself
to a branch.
snakes are born at one time,
each measuring 1 7-20
inches.
The young boa constrictor
begins feeding within a week
or two after its birth and
grows quickly, usually reach-
ing a yard in length after
several months. It is sexually
mature at 2-3 years when it
reaches 6- 1 0 feet.
throughout the year. How-
ever, in the cooler climes, it
may spend long periods of
time inactive.
Below: It is usually the more
active young snakes that climb
trees. Adults are slow-moving
and prefer the forest floor.
DID YOU KNOW?
Boa constrictors and
pythons are among the
most primitive of living
snakes, as evidenced by the
presence of its vestigial hind
limbs.
When threatened, boa
constrictors will hiss so loudly
that they can be heard 1 00
feet away.
The boa constrictor has a
short tail, accounting for less
than 20 inches of its length.
In many snakes, the tail
makes up 50 percent of the
overall length.
A hungry boa constrictor
can squeeze through the
holes in chicken wire to get
to chickens. However, after
eating one or more of the
birds, its body becomes too
wide to escape back through
the wire.
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
GROUP 3: REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Crocodilia
FAMILY
Alligatoridae Alligator mississipiensis
The large American alligator, with its menacing-looking grin and
huge teeth, is as feared as any animal in the wild. Sluggish by nature,
however, it cannot move quickly on land.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: About 13ft.; up to 18 ft.
Tail accounts for half of its length.
Weight: 450-500 lb.
BREEDING
Mating season: April to May.
No. of eggs: 25-60.
Hatching time: 2-3 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually solitary.
Diet: Insects, shrimp, tadpoles, and
frogs when young; fish and small
mammals when adult.
lifespan: Up to 50 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The only other species of alligator is
the much smaller Chinese alligator,
Alligator sinensis.
- ____ J
Range of the American alligator.
DISTRIBUTION
Warm wetlands and swamps of the southeastern United
States: Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
CONSERVATION
Concerted conservation efforts have saved the American
alligator from the brink of extinction, and it is no longer an
endangered species.
ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES
Over some of its territory, the American alligator shares its habitat with
the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, which is far more rare. The
two are very similar in appearance, although the crocodile is slightly
smaller and less bulky and has a larger, narrower snout. The best way to
tell the two apart. however, is by comparing the heads.
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The alligator (below) has a broad snout
and all the teeth in its upper jaw overlap
with those in the lower.
'<J,
The crocodile (left)
has a pair of
enlarged teeth in
the lower jaw
which fit into a
"notch" on each
side of its snout.
They can be seen
even when the
crocodile's mouth
is shut.
WF OM NC 18
The American alligator is the largest of all
members of the crocodile family in North America.
It has a large, somewhat rounded body,
with thick limbs, a broad head, and an extremely
muscular tail with which it propels itself
powerfully through the water.
HABITAT
The American alligator spends
all of its time in and around the
swamps and rivers of its watery
home. In some areas, where
the water level fluctuates, the
alligator will dig itself a hollow
in the mud which becomes
filled with water. This guaran-
tees its access to water at all
times and also provides other
animals with water.
Sometimes these under-
ground hollows are as long as
65 feet. The temperature
there remains fairly stable, so
the alligator can retreat there
to avoid extremes of wi nter
cold and summer heat.
Below: An alligator lies very still
and almost hidden in a muddy
swamp in Florida.
ALLI GATOR &:
DID YOU KNOW?
Together with crocodiles,
alligators are descended from
reptiles that lived between
225 and 65 million years ago.
The name alligator comes
from the Spanish ellagarto
which means "the lizard."
There are over 20 species of
crocodile worldwide.
Once widely hunted for its skin, so well that it is now con-
the American alligator came trolled by organized hunting.
close to extinction earlier this Alligator "farms" are popular
century. A conservation tourist attractions in the
program set up in the 1950s southeastern United States.
banned hunting and saved the
alligator from extinction. Its
numbers have since recovered
FOOD &: HUNTING
Alligators eat a wide variety of
food. Youngsters feed on
insects, shrimp, tadpoles, and
frogs. As they mature, they eat
small fish and snakes; when
they are almost fully grown,
their diet is made up almost
entirely of fish.
Adult alligators, however, will
eat almost anything. Racoons
and muskrats are quickly
Below: Alligators bask in the sun in
a special farm where they are bred.
snapped up, along with birds,
freshwater turtles and snakes.
Alligators hunt most of their
prey in water. They snap up
small prey and swallow it
whole. Larger mammals are
generally seized and then
dragged underwater and
drowned before the alligator
tears them into large pieces
and swallows them.

The American alligator's court-
ship and mating take place at
night in shallow water during
April and May. Bulls roar loudly
to attract females and to warn
off other males. The bull. is
generally much larger than the
female. He will swim in circles
around her, finally coming
alongside to grip her in his jaws
and place his limbs over her
body.
The female lays her eggs in a
nest made of damp, rotting
vegetation and mud. After she
deposits the eggs, she covers
the nest with more vegetation.
As the vegetable matter in the
nest rots, it gives off heat,
which helps to incubate the
eggs. They are very vulnerable
Right:
Alligators eat
almost any-
thing that
strays close to
them. Small
mammals,
such as
raccoons, fall
prey to hungry
alligators
when they
come down to
the water's
edge to drink.
at this stage; a rise in water
level could flood the nest,
drowning the young reptiles
while they are still inside their
shells.
The young alligators hatch
two to three months later.
During this time, the female re-
mains close to the nest,driving
off any intruders. As they hatch,
the baby alligators emit a high-
pitched croak, which serves as a
signal to the female to open the
nest. Only eight inches long,
the hatchlings are completely
independent at birth and
quickly take to the water. The
youngsters grow at a rate of
about 12 inches a year. They
do not reach maturity until they
are over six years old.
Left: Perfect
replicas of their
parents, baby
alligators
hatch from
eggs laid on a
rotting mound
of vegetation.
Within minutes
of hatching,
they begin
making their
way down to
the water.
NILE CROCODILE
'\'--------
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Crocodylidae
"" CARD 3
GROUP 3: REPTILES &
GENUS &- SPECIES
Crocodylus niloticus
The Nile crocodile is the largest crocodile in Africa, and one of the
largest in the world. Up to 20 feet and over 1,500 pounds, it is a
deadly predator of both animals and people.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Up to 20 ft. (from head to
tip of tail).
Weight: Up to 1,650 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 6-7 years.
Breeding season: Often July.
No. of eggs: 30-70.
Incubation: 3 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary, or in small groups
of similar-sized animals to avoid
being preyed on by larger
crocodiles.
Diet: Mammals, reptiles (including
other crocodiles), birds, fish, and
carrion.
Lifespan: Estimated 70-100 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 22 species of crocodile
found throughout the tropical and
subtropical areas of Asia, Australia,
and North America.
Range of the Nile crocodile.
DISTRIBUTION
The Nile crocodile is found throughout most of Africa, from
Egypt in the north to South Africa. It is absent from the
cooler parts of North Africa and the dry Sahara desert.
CONSERVATION
The Nile crocodile is still quite numerous throughout most of
its range, but most of the other crocodile species are severely
threatened due to overhuntin for their skins and meat.
UNDERWATER LIFE OF THE NILE CROCODILE
The Nile crocodile's eyes, nostrils, and
ears all lie along the top of its head so
that it can see, hear, smell, and breathe
when submerged. Its stomach is full of
stones, which stabili ze its body
underwater.
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The eye has a The long snout
third eyelid which is armed with
gives protection
when diving.
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Special muscles
enable the nostrils
to close when
diving.
0160200081 PACKET 8
left: Croco-
diles are cold-
blooded and
must avoid
extremes of
temperature.
They bask on
the bank at
cooler times of
the day and
then move into
the shade or
water to
escape the
heat of the
~ ~ ~ ~ __ ~ ~ 2 - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ = = ____ = = ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ = = = = ~ - - ~ midday sun.
A living relic of prehistoric times,
the crocodile is the only surviving member of the
reptile family to which the dinosaur belonged.
As such, it provides a fascinating opportunity for study,
and may provide new information 'about the
habits of extinct animals.
~ BREEDING
During the spring, the fe-
male digs out a nest in the
riverbank where she will lay
her eggs. The location of the
nest is important; it must be
close enough to the river so
that the female can keep
watch, but not so near that
it floods.
Crocodiles mate in shallow
water, sometimes after thrash-
ing wildly about. The thirty to
seventy white, hard-shelled
eggs are covered with sand
and guarded by the mother
until the young inside begin
making chirping noises. The
mother then digs the young
~ HABITAT
Within its range, the Nile
crocodile lives alongside rivers,
lakes, and water holes. During
the wet season, when the wa-
terways flood, the crocodiles
migrate long distances, return-
ing to their old territories when
the water level falls.
out, cracks open the eggs if
necessary, and carries them to
the water.
The female remains close to
her young for many weeks
until they disperse along the
river. Only a small part of her
brood will reach adulthood.
Most fall prey to predators.
Far left: The
eggs hatch 90
days after
being laid.
Young
crocodiles are
12 inches long
at hatching
and grow
about 10
inches a year.
left: After
hatching, the ~
female picks up W
~
the young in co
her mouth and ~
carries them to
the water.
(3
u
Cf)
-j
FOOD & HUNTING
The Nile crocodile preys on
animals that come to the
water to drink. It hunts
wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo,
wild dog, and lion.
The crocodile uses its strong
jaws and teeth to seize the
animal and drag it under the
water until it drowns. The
crocodile cannot chew, so
prey is not eaten immediately,
but is wedged underwater
beneath a tree trunk until it
rots. It eats all its prey, in-
cluding bones, hooves, and
antlers. Strong juices in its
stomach, and pebbles which
it deliberately swallows, help
it to digest its food.
DID YOU KNOW?
The sex of crocodiles is
determined by their incu-
bation temperature. Eggs
incubated at temperatures
below 85 F hatch into fe-
males, while those incubated
above 95 F become males.
The largest of all crocodiles
reaches 25 feet, while the
smallest rarely exceeds 5 feet.
Crocodiles are the closest
living relatives to birds.
In Africa, the Nile crocodile
accounts for more human
deaths each year than any other
meat-eating animal.
Crocodiles have teeth in their
lower jaw that fit into notches
on either side of the upper jaw;
in alligators, all the teeth in the
upper jaw overlap those in the
lower jaw.
Above: A Nile
crocodile
attacks a
wildebeest and
prepares to
drag it under
the water to
drown it.
left: The Nile
crocodile
swims rapidly,
propelled by its
long, muscular,
flattened tail.
'" CARD 4 J
BLACK MAMBA
~ _______________________ G_R_O_U_P_3_: _R_EP_T_IL_E_S_& __ A_M_P_H_IB_IA __ N _ S ~
.. ORDER
'11IIIIIIII Squamata
.. FAMILY
'11IIIIIIII Elapidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Oendroaspis polylepis
The black mamba is the fastest snake in the world, able to reach
speeds of almost 15 miles per hour. Its deadly venom makes it
feared by both humans and animals in its African homeland.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Maximum, 13ft.
Average, about 10ft.
Weight: Up to 3 ~ lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Breeding season: Spring to early
summer.
No. of eggs: 6-15; white with
leathery, supple shell.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary.
Diet: Rodents, bats, other small
mammals, birds, and lizards.
Venom: Nerve poison causing
death by suffocation.
Lifespan: Up to 12 years in
captivity. Probably much less
in the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to the green mamba,
Oendroaspis angusticeps, which is
smaller and less poisonous.
Range of the black mamba.
DISTRIBUTION
The black mamba is found in eastern and southern Africa. Its
closest relative, the green mamba, is found in eastern and
central Africa.
CONSERVATION
The black mamba is in no danger of extinction within its
range as long as its habitat is not disturbed.
FEATURES OF THE BLACK MAMBA
Jaws: The lower jaw can be
temporarily dislocated so
the snake can swallow prey that
is larger than its own head.
Posture: Even when moving quickly, the
black mamba can hold its head about
20 inches off the ground.
Speed: Over long distances it travels at
about 7 mph, but it can exceed 14 mph
in short bursts.
Smaller, shyer, and less poison-
ous than the black mamba. It
lives in eastern and central Africa.
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STRIKING POSITION
The black mamba is long and
powerful. It can lift the front of
its body 3 feet from the ground
when striking.
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Coloring:
Gray-brown on
top with a pale
gray underbelly.
0160200391 PACKET 39
The black mamba is a long and dangerous snake from
eastern and southern Africa. It can move faster than
any other snake through thick undergrowth
or over open ground. It also takes readily to trees.
This snake strikes its prey quickly and accurately,
even when it is moving fast.
~ HABITS
The black mamba spends its
day basking in the sun or hunt-
ing. When hunting, the snake
travels quickly over the ground
or along tree branches. Strong
and muscular, it can hold its
head 20 inches off the ground
even when moving.
At night the black mamba
returns to a discarded burrow
in the ground or to a deep
hiding place among rocks or
fallen trees. When frightened,
it rushes to this hole, attacking
whatever blocks its path.
The black mamba needs
warmth to activate its body
and lies on flat rocks or low
branches during the day to
soak up the sun's heat. During
the hottest months, it may
return to its hole ,at midday.
The black mamba periodi-
c;ally sheds the outer layer of its
skin as it grows. This sloughing
occurs every two months or
so, beginning shortly after
hatching. Young snakes grow
more quickly and slough more
often than older ones.
Left: Its ability
to strike quick-
ly and its
highly toxic
venom make
the black
mamba Afri-
ca's deadliest
snake. For this
reason it in-
spires fear and
respect in
those who
share its
habitat.
Right: Long,
lithe, and
museula" the
black mamba
climbs quickly
and easily
through low
branches. It is
occasionally
mistaken for a
tree snake.
DID YOU KNOW?
The black mamba is the
fastest snake in the world,
reaching over 14 miles per
hour over short distances.
The black mamba can
digest an animal the size of a
large rat within nine hours.
The black mamba is dark-
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The black mamba feeds fre-
quently. It hunts rodents, bats,
other small mammals, birds,
and lizards. Using its fangs, it
strikes accurately and with
lightning speed. It has excel-
lent eyesight and can lift its
head and front over three feet
off the ground when striking.
The snake injects its deadly
venom through two hollow
fangs at the front of its mouth.
The venom attacks the nervous
system and quickly suffocates
the victim. Enzymes in the
snake's saliva and venom begin
to digest the prey before it has
reached the stomach. Within a
few hours, the prey is com-
pletely digested.
skinned to absorb the sun's
heat. Desert-dwelling snakes
are paler to reflect heat and
prevent overheating.
The venom of both the
black and the green mamba
is "milked" from their fangs
and used in medical research.
~ BREEDING
Breeding occurs in spring and
early summer. A male may
travel far to find a mate, but
after mating each snake re-
turns to its own hole.
The female lays from 6 to 15
white eggs in decaying vege-
tation or a rotting tree stump.
The decomposing nest gives
off heat, which warms the
eggs and speeds up the hatch-
ing time. Each egg has a pli-
able shell that allows water
Left: A hatchling emerges from its
egg ready to catch its own prey.
Left: The
black mamba
is really gray-
brown. Its
relative, the
green mamba,
is shorter and
less aggressive
but still deadly.
and oxygen to reach the devel-
oping embryo.
The hatchlings are about 20
inches long and gray-green in
color, but they darken with
age. They are born indepen-
dent and can catch prey about
the size of a mouse. The young
grow quickly, reaching more
than six feet in their first year.
Young black mambas are
preyed upon by the mongoose
and the snake-eating snake.
Adults fall victim to the secre-
tary bird and large eagles.

CORAL SNAKE
" ORDER
GROUP 3: REPTILES &: AMPHIBIANS
... GENUS &: SPECIES
Henophidia
FAMILY
Elapidae Micrurius fulvius
The coral snake has a toxic venom that attacks
the nervous system and kills prey fast. This enables
it to eat snakes even larger than itself.
KEY FACTS

SIZES
Length: Male, up to 2 ft. Female,
up to 21/2 ft .
Coloration: Banded in bright
colors. Usually red, white, yellow,
and black.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: About 2-3 years
(not known precisely) .
Mating: Late spring to early
summer, and late summer to
early autumn.
Eggs: 3-6, laid in June and July.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary outside breeding
seasons.
Range of the coral snake.
DISTRIBUTION
Diet: Mainly other snakes.
Lifespan: Longest kept in
captivity almost 7 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are more than 53 species
of coral snake in the Western
Hemisphere.
True coral snakes are found in North, Central, and South
America. In South America it lives in tropical areas of the
Amazon basin of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. In North
America it,lives in Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, and northern
J
Mexico.
CONSERVATION
The coral snake is common and in no danger of extinction.
THE SNAKE AND ITS MIMICS
Mimicry: Some harmless- snakes imitate
the -color ri ngs of the cQral s.riak-e to

This is cafled Batesiao
.' . . ' mimicry. after the' mnetee-nth.'centu ry
Eii g'lish naturalist'H.vy.
Scarlet snake:
Red bands
separated from
yellow by black
bands. Pale
underbelly.
Red snout.
Scarlet
kingsnake: Red
bands separated
from yellow by
black bands.
Red snout.
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. pre'dators. -
.Coni
Red-bands He
next to ye1lolf)!
. .. ba.nds (onI Y' io .
. .. Nortrl' America),
- Black S110Ut.
. .
0160200241 PACKET 24
The coral snake's brilliant coloration
can act as a warning to predators that
are not color-blind, which may be the reason
other non-poisonous snakes copy its colors and
pattern. This decorative pattern of broken
color is also excellent camouflage among
the debris of the forest floor.

The coral snake avoids open
ground in favor of woodlands
and forest floors carpeted with
leaves and decaying logs. It
also lives in rocky areas with
plenty of crevices. The coral
snake needs cover for camou-
flage, for hiding its young
and for providing the best
surroundings to hunt its prey.
Although rarely seen, the
coral snake sometimes ap-
pears in some areas of Texas
in backyard gardens, where it
forages on sunny mornings
around rock walls and pond
or garden paving.
FOOD &: HUNTING
The coral snake mainly eats
other smaller snakes, but it
sometimes preys on its own
species and even on snakes
that are larger than itself. It
also preys on lizards, young
birds, frogs, and insects.
The coral snake feeds heavi-
ly during two periods in the
year-from September to
November and from April to
May.
A coral snake has very short
fangs so it bites its prey re-
peatedly, twisting its head
from side to side to squeeze
venom into the wound.
BREEDING
The coral snake breeds from
late spring to early summer
and from late summer to early
autumn. The male produces
sperm all year except during
the female's gestation period
from May to july.
This ability to mate through-
out most of the year is im-
portant. Coral snakes seldom
meet each other since their
home ranges and populations
are small, and a male's weak
sensory perception makes it
hard for him to locate a fe-
male. Because coral snakes
tend to be aggressive toward
each other, if a male and fe-
fTlale do meet they may attack
one another instead of mate.
During courtship the male
flicks his tongue at the female
and then strokes the length of
her back with his nose before
mating. The female lays three
to five eggs in june or july.
Left: The eastern coral snake is at
home on loose ground cover where
it can burrow.
The young hatch about size of large earthworms and
two months later. They are the already show the typical colors.
DID YOU KNOW?
The coral snake is also
called the "minute snake"
because some people be-
lieve that any animal it bites
will be dead within one min-
ute. This is only true of the
coral snake's smallest prey.
If disturbed, this snake rais-
es its tail tip and swings it in
the air to mimic its head. It
keeps its real head tucked
safely under its coiled body.
Below: The colorful hatchling
glides from its leathery egg.
..... CORAL SNAKE &:

Although the venom from a
coral snake bite is deadly, this
shy snake rarely bites people.
Most of those bitten have
made the first move by trying
to handle the snake. Even so,
some people have been
known to carry coral snakes
without being bitten.
Children are the most com-
mon victims of the coral
snake because they are at-
tracted by its bright rings. An
antivenin (a substance that
neutralizes the poison) is now
available and has reduced the
number of deaths.
Make plenty of noise when
walking in coral snake country
to alert the snake so that it
can slip away without a con-
frontation.
Left: In defense, the snake may
lift its tail to mimic its head. This
deflects an attack to another part
of the body.
"" CARD 6
GREEN TURTLE
" GROUP 3: REPTILES fit AMPHIBIANS

CLASS
Reptilia
_ . ;;' .. .... .:.
......
ORDER
Testudines
FAMILY
Chelonidae
.. -"- .. -
... GENUS &: SPECIES
Chelonia mydas
One of the largest of the seven species of sea turtle,
the green turtle used to be common throughout the warmer seas of
the world. Today its numbers are a fraction of what they once were.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Up to 5 ft
Weight: Up to 400 lb .
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 0-1 5 years.
Breeding season: October to
February.
Gestation period: 7-10 weeks.
No. of eggs: Approximately 100
each batch. Several batches laid
over a few weeks.
Hatching time: 2-3 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually solitary, except for
nesting females and their young.
Diet: Crustaceans and fish when
young. Adults eat plants only.
lifespan: 40-50 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are seven species of sea
turtle, the largest being the
leatherback, which grows to over
6 ft. in length.
Range of the green turtle.
DISTRIBUTION
Found throughout the warmer oceans and the Mediterra-
nean. Most important rookeries or nesti ng beaches are
Tortuguero in Costa Rica, Aves Island in the Caribbean, and
Ascension Island in the mid-Atlantic.
CONSERVATION
Despite legal protection, green turtles are still hunted and are
missing from much of their former range.
FEATURES OF THE GREEN TURTLE
The green turtle has a thick, heavy,
bony shell covered in platelike
scales. In the adult, it is usually
olive green or dark brown,
marbled, or spotted with yellow.
The green turtle gets its name
from its green-colored flesh.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
The turtle gets
rid of excess
salt water
through a
gland
near the eyes.
I

The feet and legs of the tortoise (below)
are designed for walking. The turtle's feet
and legs (below left) have been modified
into powerful flippers that propel it
through the water. The turtle's shell is
thinner than that of the tortoise. Its head is
too big to be withdrawn into the shell.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200111 PACKET 11
Like most turtles, the green turtle has
been hunted to the brink of extinction by man
for its flesh, eggs, and shell. It spends almost
its entire life in the sea. The females leave
the water for only a short time every other year
to lay their eggs.
~ HABITAT
The green turtle likes warm,
shallow waters which allow
for an abundant growth of
sea grass-its favorite food.
Those turtles found far out to
sea, where the water is very
deep, are on their way to or
DID YOU KNOW?
The nesting beaches, called
rookeries, on Ascension
Island are so popular with
green turtles that the entire
island is covered with them
during the breeding season.
The sex of hatchling sea
from their nesting beaches.
The turtle can swim at great
speeds underwater. It must
surface to breathe, but an
adult can stay submerged for
five hours. Young turtles sur-
face more frequently.
turtles is determined by their
incubation temperature. At
82 F, hatchlings are all male;
at 90 F they are all female.
Just one or two out of 100
turtles born will survive their
first year.
~ BREEDING
Mating takes place on the
water's surface. Several nights
later, the female hauls herself
onto the beach and digs a
large hole with her front flip-
pers, where she lays approxi-
mately 100 hard-shelled eggs,
each the size of a ping-pong
ball. She then pushes the sand
back into the hole to cover the
eggs and returns to the sea.
Over the next few weeks, the
female will lay several batches
of eggs. They hatch during the
night two to three months
later. The tiny turtles dig their
way to the surface. They then
make their way to the sea.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Fully grown turtles eat only
plant matter. Their favorite
food is sea grass, sometimes
called eel grass, as well as
algae. In the Galapagos Is-
lands, green turtles are known
to feed on mangrove leaves
overhanging the water. Tur-
tles have very sharp jaws that
cut through tough, fibrous
vegetation.
Green turtle hatchlings have
a more varied diet; they feed
on fish, crustaceans, jellyfish,
and algae. During their first
few months, the young turtles
are poor swimmers, so they
tend to float along on beds of
sargassum weed. Tiny crabs
and shrimp provide a pri-
mary food source for the
young.
As they grow, the turtles
become increasingly plant-
eating. They locate vegetation
with the use of their excellent
underwater eyesight.
Male and female turtles mi-
grate to the same beaches
every season to lay their
eggs. They often return to
the very beach where they
were hatched themselves.
The migration may be short
in duration, although many of
the turtles feeding along the
Brazilian coast swim a dis-
tance of 2,800 miles against
the current to Ascension
Island in the mid-Atlantic.
On the island, the eggs are
Left: A lone
baby turtle
makes its way
to the sea.
Right:
Newborn
turtles head for
deep water.
Right: On their
long migra-
tions, turtles
can swim long
distances
underwater,
staying sub-
merged for
periods of up
to five hours.
Far left:
Although
awkward on
land, the green
turtle is a
graceful
swimmer.
Left: Even
mating takes
place at sea.
Far left: The
eggs are laid
at night in a
hole dug out
above the
high-tide mark.
Left: Hatching
takes place at
night.
relatively well protected. On
the Brazilian mainland, many
animals dig up and eat turtle
eggs, but the only predators
on Ascension Island are frigate
birds, which eat a small pro-
portion of the hatchlings.
"'" CARD 7
SNAPPING TURTLE
" GROUP 3: REPTILES &

CLASS
Reptilia
FAMILY
Che/ydridae
The snapping turtle, or snapper, is well named, for it will attack
anything that comes within range of its powerful jaws,
including baby alligators.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Shell, up to 16 in., overall
length up to 32 in. Males are
slightly smaller.
Weight: Up to 50 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Males, 3-5 years.
Females, 4-6 years.
Breeding season: Summer.
No. of eggs: About 24.
Incubation: 2-3 months. Eggs laid
late may not hatch until spring.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary.
Diet: Fish, small birds and
mammals, frogs, salamanders,
water snakes, baby turtles.
lifespan: Up to 60 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The alligator snapper, Macroche/ys
temmincki and the Florida snapper
are close relatives.
Range of the snapping turtle.
DISTRIBUTION
Shallow feshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers along the eastern
side of North America from southern Canada down into
Central America and northwestern South America.
CONSERVATION
Man is the snapping turtle's main enemy, killing it for food
and sport. Still, their numbers remain fairly constant.
FEATURES OF THE SNAPPING TURTLE
Shell: The
snapping turtle's
shell is small and
does not cover its
head, limbs, and
tail.
Front limbs:
Strong, sharp
claws on the front
limbs rip prey into
pieces when it is
too large to be
swallowed whole.
MCMXCIIMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Head: Covered
with thick, horny
scales, the turtle's
head cannot be
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Mouth: Instead
of teeth, the
snapper's
powerful jaws
are equipped
with a hooked,
razor-sharp
beak for slicing
easily through
flesh and bones
of fish, water
birds, amphibi-
ans, and
reptiles.
---1
0160200041 PACKET 4
The snapping turtle is much different from
the aquarium turtles kept as pets.
Powerfully built, the snapper has strong claws
and a hooked beak so sharp it can bite
through a man's hand.
~ HABITS
Snapping turtles spend most
of their time underwater,
lying at the bottom of
shallow freshwater lakes,
ponds, and slow-moving
rivers. In the northern part of
their range, snappers
hibernate underwater during
cold weather.
Snappers become extremely
aggressive when confronted
on land, and attack is their
best method of defense.
When threatened, they raise
their bodies and lunge fiercely
at the intruder.
Left:
Awkward
creatures on
land,
snapping
turtles spend
almost all
their time in
water. They
even mate
there.
~ BREEDING
Mating usually takes place in
the water. In early summer 25-
50 eggs are laid and covered in
a hole dug on land. Hatching
usually takes 2-3 months, but
eggs laid late in the season
may not hatch until the
weather warms the following
spring.
As soon as they have
hatched, baby snappers make
their way down to the water
where they will spend their first
few years. They grow quickly
and often reach 6 inches in
shell length within their first
year. Males are fully grown and
ready to breed at 3-5 years;
females take longer to mature.
Right: A snapper stands guard
over its newly laid eggs before
covering them with soil.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
Snappers prey on almost
anything they can catch and
overpower. They eat fish, frogs,
salamanders, smaller turtles,
water snakes, baby alligators,
and small aquatic mammals.
Large prey is seized in the
snapper's jaws and then torn
to pieces. Smaller prey is
swallowed whole. Snappers
also scavenge for food and
will feed on the carcass of
any dead animal found in
the water. Young snappers
feed on small fish, tadpoles,
and aquatic insects.
Left: A snapper
eating a sun-
fish. The turtles
catch what
they can, but
will also take
the remains of
another
animal's kill if
they come
across it.
Right: The
fearsome jaws
and hooked
beak of the
snapper.
DID YOU KNOW?
Snappers were once used
to find dead bodies in lakes.
Tethered to a rope, the
snapper was released into the
water. When the reptile
stopped moving, the trackers
knew that it must have found
a body and begun to feed.
The alligator snapper has a
small, worm-shaped append-
age at the base of its mouth
which it can move at will. It
sits, open-mouthed, at the
bottom of a lake waiting for
small fish which are attracted
to the "worm."
In some areas of Thailand,
turtles are covered in gold
leaf and kept in temples.
KING COBRA
ORDER
Squamata
GROUP 3: REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
.,. GENUS &: SPECIES
Ophiophagus hannah
Every year thousands of people in southern Asia die from poisonous
snake bites. Both people and other poisonous snakes live in fear of
the king cobra, one of the most deadly snakes of all.
KEY FACTS

SIZES
Average length: 13ft.
Record length: 18ft .
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 5-6 years.
Breeding season: Mates in
January, builds nest in April.
Eggs: 20-50.
Incubation: 60-70 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary, but forms pairs in
breeding season.
Diet: Snakes and lizards.
Lifespan: Normally 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Relatives include the Asian or
Indian cobra Naja naja, the African
black mamba Oendroaspis po/y/epis,
and the Australian death adder
Acanthopis antarcticus.
Range of the king cobra.
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout mainland India, southern China, and southeast-
ern Asia.
CONSERVATION
Although its numbers may have been reduced by the loss of
its habitat in some parts of its range, the king cobra is not an
endangered animal.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE KING COBRA
Specialized
glands:
Height: Under
threat, the king
cobra can raise
itself up to one-
third of its
length. In some
cases, this can
make it taller
than an average
man.
(i)MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Located behind
eyes. Secrete
venom. When the
snake bites,
venom is forced
through the fangs
and into the
Hood: If the
neck into a hood,
and emit a high-
pitched hiss.
Eyespot pattern:
Found only on the
Indian cobra. Acts as a
warning to predators.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200071 PACKET 7
The king cobra is the longest of all the venomous
snakes, and its bite is lethal. It has been known
to kill a person in 75 minutes, but despite
this, the king cobra is really a shy, secretive animal
and will avoid a fight if it can.
~ BREEDING
The king cobra sheds its skin
at the beginning of breeding
season, and in the female,
molting triggers the release of
a scent called a pheromone
that attracts the male to her.
The male entwines his body
around the female while they
mate, and the pair may stay
locked together for hours.
Male and female cobras are
thought to pair for life, which
is unusual in snakes. They
cooperate to find a nest site.
The female lays twenty to fifty
white eggs in a hollow in the
center of the nest, while the
male guards against predators.
A newly hatched king cobra
is glossy black with pale yellow
stripes, and measures approxi-
mately 20 inches in length. It
is able to hunt for food almost
i m med iately.
Above left: All cobra species,
including the Indian cobra shown
here, have highly poisonous venom.
~ HABITS
The king cobra is numerous in
the dense highland forests of
southern Asia and has been
found living at 6,500 feet
above sea level in the moun-
tains of India. It is active by day
and night, but it is rarely seen.
The king cobra seems to
prefer living near water, and if
disturbed it will often make its
escape by slipping into a
nearby stream and swimming
away. It is also a good climber
and can pursue its prey into
the trees if necessary.
Left: The king cobra lives in forest
areas, gliding silently through the
undergrowth.
~ FOOD & HUNTI NG
The king cobra is a dangerous
adversary. It will even attack
pythons and highly venomous
snake species like the krait and
other cobras, as well as large
lizards. It smells with its forked
tongue, which it uses for
tracking the scent of its prey
through the dense forest
undergrowth. When the cobra
gets close to its prey, it relies
on its eyesight to spot its vic-
tim before striking it and
subduing it with a massive
dose of venom.
Having poisoned its victim,
the cobra swallows it while it
is still struggling-this can be
a lengthy process. To make
swallowing prey easier, the
cobra's lower jaws are com-
posed of two independent
bones that are loosely at-
tached to its skull; this allows
the snake to swallow an
animal that is thicker than its
own head.
[
. DI D YOU KNOW?
A king cobra can inject
enough venom to kill a fully
grown Indian elephant within
3 hours, provided it bites a
sensitive spot such as the tip
of t he trunk.
Because of its slow meta-
bolic rate, the king cobra can
survive for months without
eating.
Snakes are deaf to most
sounds, but they are sensitive
to vibrations transmitted
through t he ground and are
easily frightened away by
heavy footsteps.
In Burma, king cobras are
used in snake charming
acts.
The prey is slowly drawn
into the cobra's stomach by
alternate movements of the
snake's two lower jawbones,
while the snake's skin stretch-
es to accommodate the bulk.
Swallowing large prey can
take many hours, but the
~ KING COBRA & MAN
The king cobra's half-inch-
long fangs are capable of de-
livering more venom than
those of any other snake
except the gaboon viper.
The king cobra is most
aggressive when it is guard-
ing its eggs. In India, if a nest
Above: The king cobra is one of the
few snakes that kills other snakes. It
swallows its prey whole.
cobra will not eat again for
several weeks.
Interestingly, the king cobra
will often share its sleeping
quarters with potential prey.
is found near a village, the
area will often be evacuated.
Nevertheless, stories of en-
raged king cobras are proba-
bly exaggerated. A king cobra
with no eggs to defend will
usually disappear into the
undergrowth if approached.
Left: The king
cobra's venom
attacks the
nervous
system. The
victim suffers
pain, blurred
vision, and
dizziness. In 15
minutes, a
victim can die.
""'" CARD 9
KOMODO DRAGON ~ ,
'\ GROUP 3: REPTILES &: AMPHIBIANS ~ .... ,
... CLASS ORDER ,. FAMILY ... GENUS fir SPECIES ,
~ Reptilia Squamata ~ Varanidae ~ Varanus komodoensis '"
At 10 feet in length, the Komodo dragon is the largest true
lizard that has ever lived on land. It is the top predator on
the small islands on which it lives.
~ KEY FACTS
I ~ I SIZES
~ Length: Males, 10ft. Females,
slightly smaller.
Weight: Adults, 220-300 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 6 years.
Breeding season: June or July.
No. of Eggs: Average of 12.
Incubation: 8 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually solitary, but come
together to breed and to feed on
carrion (dead flesh).
Diet: Small mammals, pigs, deer,
and monkeys.
Lifespan: Estimated at 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The family of monitor lizards includes
other giants, such as the 10-foot
water monitor, as well as the tiny
8-inch Australian short-tailed monitor.
Range of the Komodo dragon.
DISTRIBUTION
The Komodo dragon lives excluSively on the Indonesian islands
of Komodo, Rintja, Padar, Flores, Gili Mota, and Owadi Sami,
north of Australia.
CONSERVATION
The population is stable at about 3000. Because the Komodo
dragon lizard lives on uninhabited islands, it is currently in no
danger from man.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST LIZARD
Young Komodos can be identified not
only by their smaller size, but also by
vertical bands of black and green on
their necks.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
The largest member of the monitor
lizard family, the Komodo dragon
can exceed 10ft. in length-longer
than a compact car. Wild dogs and
pigs occasionally dig up and eat
Komodo dragon eggs, while the
young hatchlings are prey to birds
and larger lizards. However, once
these reptiles reach 3 ft. in length,
they outgrow all their enemies. As
the islands' top predators, they fear
nothing except larger Komodo
dragons.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200021 PACKET 2a
Armed with the sharp claws and
powerful tail of its mythical namesake,
the Komodo dragon may not actually breathe fire,
but when it is aroused, it will hiss and flick its forked
tongue menacingly. The dragon's thick,
scaly skin is greenish brown and marked
all over with red circles.

Komodo dragons, like most
cold-blooded reptiles, sleep
during the night. As the sun
rises and warms their blood,
they become active, awaking
from their resting places
among tree roots and rocks
and set out in search of food.
Despite their great size,
Komodo dragons are quick-
moving and agile on the
ground. They, occasionally
climb trees, gripping them
with their large, powerful
claws. They are also good
swimmers, taking long, pow-
erful strokes with their tails.
When the usually solitary
Komodo dragons meet, they
establish a clear pecking order
based on size.

Komodo dragons mate in late
June or July. During this
period, males may come into
conflict with each other as
they defend their territories.
Five weeks after mating, the
female digs a hole in the

The small Indonesian islands
on which the Komodo dragon
lives are hilly and sparsely
covered with rainforest. The
lowland areas consist mainly
of open grassland and palm
trees. Despite their small size,
these islands support a wide
range of subtropical plants
and animals.
warm, moist earth and lays an
average of a dozen eggs. The
exact number and size of the
eggs she lays vary depending
on the age and size of the
female. She then covers them
and leaves them to incubate
FOOD & HUNTING
Komodo dragons will eat
anything they can catch and
overpower, including other
Komodo dragons. Favorite
prey include wild pigs, deer,
and monkeys.
Though Komodos can move
unattended, relying on the
sun to keep them at the
proper temperature.
The young dragons hatch
eight months later. Barely
eight inches long, they are in
danger of being eaten by
almost every predator on the
islands, from snakes and birds
of prey to larger Komodo
dragons. Those that survive
grow quickly, and after five
years, they will have reached
six feet in length. Both males
and females are mature
enough to breed at around six
years of age.
Left: After mating, the female
lays oval, white eggs in a hole
excavated in the earth.
quickly, they can do so only
over short distances. So they
hunt by ambush, waiting for
prey to wander into range,
then seizing it in their jaws.
Younger Komodos are more
mobile than adults, and they
will actively hunt small mam-
mals, nestling birds, and
insects. Once prey is caught,
the Komodo holds it in its
claws and rips off chunks of
flesh with its teeth.
Komodos also eat carrion.
Komodo uses
its tongue to
"taste" the air.
Komodos meet
at a kill, a clear
pecking order
exists, with the
larger Komo-
dos getting the
best pickings.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Komodo dragon was
only discovered in 1912.
An adult Komodo will eat an
entire deer at one time-and
then sleep for a week while
digesting it.
Young Komodo dragons
hatch from their leathery,
goose-sized eggs fully formed.
Unlike other large monitor
lizards which have long, whip-
like tails, the tail of the heavy-
bodied Komodo dragon only
accounts for half its length.
10 I
COMMON CHAMELEON
GROUP 3: REPTilES &:
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Squamata
.. FAMILY
"1IIIIIIII Chamaeleonidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Chamaeleo chamaeleon
The chameleon is unique among reptiles because of its
ability to change color. This adaption allows it to both
catch prey and avoid predators.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Head &: body length: 8-12 in.
Tail length: As long as head and
body.
Tongue length: As long as head
and body.
BREEDING
Breeding season: Late summer.
No. of eggs: 20-30 laid on the
ground. Young emerge the
following spring.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary except during
breeding season. Daytime hunters.
Diet: Almost all insects and
spiders.
RELATED SPECIES
There are about 1 00 species of
chameleon. The largest is about 2
ft. long, and the smallest 2 in. The
larger species will catch lizards,
small mammals, and birds.
Range of the common chameleon.
DISTRIBUTION
The coast of southern Spain is the most northerly point of
this chameleon's range. On the southern side of the Mediter-
ranean, it is found along the coast of North Africa, extending
into Israel.
CONSERVATION
The common chameleon is not endangered. But in cold
summers, its numbers are greatly reduced.
THE CHAMELEON'S ADAPTATIONS FOR HUNTING
Hunting: The chameleon will remain
immobile on a branch, searching for
insects with its two roving eyes.
When it spots a victim, it will use
both eyes to judge position and
distance correctly, and it will then
shoot its tongue straight out of its
mouth at the insect.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Tongue: Up to 5
in. long and
armed with a
club-shaped
;pucus-covered /
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Grip: The
chameleon is
able to balance,
perfectly still,
by gripping the
branch with its
pincer-like
claws and
wrapping its
long, grasping
tail around the
branch.
0160200051 PACKET 5
The common chameleon lives in the forests along the
coast of North Africa extending to the Middle East
and along the coast of southern Spain. It spends most of
the day motionless in the trees, waiting for unsuspecting
insects and spiders to pass by.
The chameleon leads a
solitary existence and will
seek out the company of
other chameleons only
during the breeding season.
The male guards his territory
fiercely against rival males
and frightens them off by
inflating his lungs and
puffing up his body.
Mating takes place in the
trees, during which time the
female's eggs are fertilized
inside her body. When she is
ready to lay her eggs in the
late summer, the female
chooses a warm spot at the
DID YOU KNOW?
The first reptiles lived on
earth in the Permian period
approximately 200 million
years ago.
Some chameleons sport
crests on their heads.
base of a tree where she
deposits up to thirty eggs.
After covering them with soil,
she returns to the treetops
and leaves the eggs to
develop unattended.
Inside its shell, each young
chameleon feeds on the yolk
sac, the same way in which a
hen's chick does. When it is
ready to hatch in the follow-
ing spring, the young breaks
out of its shell with the use of
its egg tooth. When it is
hatched, the young chame-
leon looks like a smaller
version of its parents.
Jackson's chameleon
(c. jacksonii), carries a trio
of frightening horns.
When not in use, the
chameleon's tail stays coiled
up.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The chameleon is a master of
disguise. It can change color to
blend in with its surroundings
and is unrecognizable to the
spiders and insects it catches.
Without moving its body, the
chameleon uses its eyes to
locate prey. Once it spots its
prey, the chameleon flicks out
its sticky tongue and catches
the insect. Fully extended, the
chameleon's tongue is as long
as its body.
The chameleon's ability to
change color also helps it to
stay hidden from its predators.
Left: Its remarkable swiveling eyes
give the chameleon all-around
vision.
~ DEFENSE
The chameleon's ability to
change color is its primary
defense against predators.
Each chameleon has a basic
color which broadly matches
its habitat. Changes in its color
are subtle and correspond to
changes in light and shadows.
Beneath its transparent skin,
the chameleon has red and
yellow color cells that reflect
the blue and white layers
below them. Under these
layers is yet another layer of
brown pigment. Color
changes occur when the color
cells become larger or smaller,
regulating the amount of
multicolored reflection each
layer produces.
Below: The chameleon's skin
color adopts the subtle green
hues of the bush.
Above: This chameleon is poised
to strike prey with its long, sticky
tongue.
r t ~ 1 SPECIAL
~ ADAPTATIONS
The ability to change color
is not the chameleon's only
special feature. Its eyes can
focus together, like human
eyes, or separately, to
observe two different
objects simultaneously.
Because of the narrow
structure of the chame-
leon's lungs and ribs, its
body is very thin. This, and
the fact that its color is
almost identical to its
surroundings, makes the
chameleon almost invisible.
Its long tail is prehensile
-that is, it can be used as
a fifth limb for gripping and
balancing. Its tongue is also
specially adapted to catch
prey (see back cover).