Reptiles are cold blooded animals that are classified with the help of their physical features like scales and spikes. They can have limbs or can be without limbs too. They are vertebrates, which mean that they have a backbone and/or a skeleton in order to support the structure of their body. Reptiles can be herbivorous and carnivorous and can be of different sizes and structures. Below given is the hierarchy of reptiles according to their evolution as species.
- Crocodiles and Alligators: Crocodiles and Alligators are aquatic reptiles which usually live on the banks of rivers and lakes. They are classified with their large pointed mouths with strong teeth. They are very dangerous and aggressive. The main difference between crocodiles and alligators is that crocodiles are fat and comparatively large in size whereas alligators are slim and smaller.
- Scaled Reptiles: Scaled reptiles are reptile species that have scales or shields on their skin. They have movable quadrate bones which facilitate more flexibility to their bodies. These species have a capacity to open their mouth to a very large size, in order to ingest large preys.
- Snakes: Snakes are elongated legless carnivores who do not have eyelids and external ears. They vary in sizes and patterns on their skin. They can swallow preys much larger than the size of their heads because of their highly mobile jaws. Snakes hibernate when the external weather becomes harsh for them.
- Worm Lizards: Worm lizards are reptile specie which looks like a combination of worms and lizards. They have a body like worms and have reduced or lost limbs. They are said to be originated in North America, Europe, Africa and South America. Most of the Worm Lizards have pink bodies and scales on it.
- Lizards: Lizards are evolutionary animals hierarchy which are classified by their feet capable of holding strong grips and detachable tails. Most of the lizards have a well-developed color vision and they have solid diapsid skulls too. Lizards have the capacity to grow their tails again.
- Tuataras: Tuataras are reptiles originated in New Zealand. They resemble lizards in most of their features but they have peaks and spikes on their backs, which make them look more aggressive. They are currently one of the most endangered reptiles in New Zealand.
- Turtles and Tortoises: They are reptiles that have a shell as the maximum part of their bodies. Turtles live in water and have padded legs as they swim, whereas tortoises live on land and have non-padded legs. Whenever they feel insecure, they hide in their shells and protect themselves from predators.
This is the structure of Reptiles Hierarchy. Also, know about Aristotle Animal Hierarchy.