ANS 282 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Mamba, Selective Breeding, King Cobra
Document Summary
Reptiles (class; reptilia) are approximately 6500 species that belong to 4 different orders: 2- order; squamata the lizards and iguanas. 3- order; testudines (chelonia) the turtles, tortoises and terrapins. 4- order; crocodilia crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. 1- pythons and boas (family boidae 27 genus, 88 species) Largest (in size) of the snakes; reticulated python and green anaconda boa. ( both may reach 33 feet and weigh 400 pounds). Members of family boidae are : constrictors, they coil themselves around their prey and with each breath the creature takes, the snake will squeeze a little tighter until they stop breathing completely. Once the heart stops the prey is swallowed whole. Feeding habits ; depending on the size of the prey it consumes, a python may only need to eat 4-5 times a year! Their diet consists of large mammals, monkeys and birds, occasionally reptiles and fish.
