7 Questions About Lizards, Snakes, and Other Reptiles Answered: Quick Facts

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A diagram shows a terrestrial reptile on rocks, illustrating energy exchanges with the environment through arrows labeled for reflected radiation, evaporation, direct solar radiation, thermal reradiation, convection, and conduction of heat between the lizard and the rock. Environmental and body temperatures are also noted.

A diagram illustrating the process of a snake extending and retracting its tongue to capture and deliver odor particles to the Jacobson's (vomeronasal) organ; it also shows the olfactory bulb and brain.

Close-up of a bamboo viper, Trimeresurus stejnegeri, showing its green scales, heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril, and vertical slit pupil.

Illustration of a Mississippi or American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) with its mouth open, showing a broad snout, armored body, and thick tail, alongside a scale bar for size reference.

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