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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1996
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The (1996)(Epic Marketing)[non-bootable].iso
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reptile
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1992-09-02
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Reptiles are the most advanced of all cold
blooded animals. They can live on the land
and in the sea. Reptiles live in all parts
of the world except for the North and South
Poles. Most live in warm regions. This is
because they are cold blooded and must get
their warmth from their surroundings.
When it is cold they sleep and cannot move
fast enough to catch food or escape from
their enemies. They spend the winter in
hibernation. Reptiles played a very
important part in the Evolution of the earth.
The first reptile appeared on the earth
approxiamately 360 million years ago. They
were soon the strongest form of life.
They ruled the planet for 100 million years.
One group of reptiles, the dinosaur, were the
most spectacular creatures ever to walk the
land. The biggest Dinosaur is believed to
have weighed over 100 tonnes. Today there are
four main groups of reptiles. There are over
5000 kinds of lizards and snakes. Some have
poisonous bites which they kill their prey
with. Reptiles range in sizes from 2in(5cm)
long lizards to 30ft(9m) long snakes. They do
not possess gills at any stage of their
lives. Nearly all lay pouros, shelled eggs
or bear their young on land.
The living orders of reptiles are the
TURTLE, ALLIGATOR, caimans, CROCODILE,
gavials, the LIZARD and the SNAKE.
See also Vertebrate, Evolution, Dinosaur.
Subject by: Vanessa Pike