Lovelorn Phyla:Chordata Reptilia

Megan McDonough

I may be cold-blooded, only have a single occipital condyle, and have somewhat scaly skin, but don’t let that throw you off. My paired limbs and five toes make me particularly easy on the eyes. Don’t worry about gills either; my lungs ensure my breath is taken away by stunning beauties. I also love looking after children, both eggs and live young. I am looking for someone who shares these traits. Could it be you?

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Where to find me

I am suitable for a particularly wide range of habitats, so you should have no problem finding me. I am an ectotherm, and it serves me well in allowing me to inhabit areas with less vegetation like deserts, as well as other terrestrial, marine, and freshwater aquatic habitats.

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My Favorite Activities

I love spending time sunning, relaxing in the shade or water, hunting down various prey, or looking for vegetation to eat. I may sound a tad bit lazy, but who doesn’t want to spend their days eating and sleeping?

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Genealogy

Scales and lungs allow me to fully function outside of a wet environment. Also, I was born (after internal fertilization) in an amniotic egg, which means I was protected from environmental pathogens, had a shell that retained its water in a dry environment, and an amnion that cushioned any mechanical shock. I can survive completely on dry land unlike any average amphibian!

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Special Features

My scaly exterior, amniotic sac, 3-chambered heart (with a septum), teeth, and dry-land compatibility set me apart from any competition. Do I really need to mention my good looks?

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Seeking I am looking for a caring, compassionate,

chordate mate with a good tail and an interest in starting a family. Scales are a must. Are you the one?

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(Call me)

Bibliography Campbell, and Reece. Biology Concepts and Connections. 6th ed. San

Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, 2002. 693-698. This book is the most detailed, precise, and omniscient source on

reptilia.

"Chapter 35: Reptiles." 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.biologycorner.com/bio2/notes35-reptiles.html>.

This gave specific information about the amniote egg and various species of reptiles.

Hunt, Kathleen. "Transitional Vertebrate Fossils." 1997. 27 Apr. 2008 http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-transitional/part1b.html

This site explored some of the finer details in the differences between reptiles and amphibians.

Myers, P. 2001. "Reptilia" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. 27 April. 2008 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Reptilia.html.

An excellent overview about the basic distinctions of reptiles.