reptile

Everyday

A cold-blooded animal with a backbone, dry scaly skin, that usually lays eggs, such as a snake, lizard, turtle, tortoise, crocodile or alligator. tree →

In the lessons

In science, reptiles are one group of vertebrates, along with mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. Reptiles warm up by lying in the sun because they cannot make their own body heat. In safety lessons, some reptiles, such as certain snakes, are dangerous; leave them alone and back away. Phrases: reptile house, cold-blooded reptile, pet reptile.

Examples

• A snake is a reptile. tree →
• Reptiles have dry, scaly skin. tree →
• The lizard lay on a rock to warm up. tree →
• We saw crocodiles at the reptile house. tree →
• Wash your hands after holding a pet reptile. tree →
• Turtles are reptiles, but frogs are amphibians. tree →
• She first turned into a frog, then assumed various reptile forms, and finally became a spindle. tree →

Note

Countable. Confusion: frogs, toads and newts are amphibians, not reptiles; they have moist skin. Dinosaurs were reptiles. Myth: snakes are not slimy; their skin is dry. "Cold-blooded" does not mean their blood is always cold; it changes with the surroundings.