• Testudines- This is the order of the turtles.
• Squamata- The order made up of lizards and snakes.
• Ctocodylia- Crocodiles and alligators are in this order.

The skin of the reptile can be scaly, have bony type plates, or even be a combination of both. Reptiles usually have eggs with a soft shell. The turtle does not shed it’s skin all in one piece like other reptiles, such as the snake. The turtle sheds it’s skin in pieces because of the “turtle shell” which is permanently affixed to it’s back.

The temperature of the environment in which the reptile lives plays a big role in it’s metabolism and how often reptiles shed. Birds and mammals almost always have the same body temperature. It is not this way for reptiles, and reptiles do not have fur and feathers such as them, as we all know. Reptiles also do not have “sweat glands” and are known for their slow metabolism.

A lot of people get reptiles and amphibians confused. Frogs, toads, and salamanders, which seem reptilian at times, are actually amphibian. When you glance at a “Gecko” and a “Salamander”, they might appear basically the same. A “Salamander” is an amphibian, and a “Gecko” is a reptile.

Reptiles live all over the Earth and usually like warm, temperate, and tropical places because they have difficulty regulating their body temperatures. There are no reptiles living n the Antarctica. They are “cold blooded”. When they want to cool down, which is very seldom, they seek shade. Reptiles have no sweat glands.

Some reptiles like living in the desert, and some love living around your home, and in your environment. Reptiles appear, in most cases, to have the senses that seem to relate with the ones humans have.

Often what dictates where reptiles live, besides the temperature, is the food source. They are usually predators. Where there is food is where they will go. Insects are often a popular attraction for reptiles, especially lizards. Snakes will also go after birds and other small animals such as frogs and rodents. Tortoises, which you see living mainly on land often eat plants. Reptiles live in many places, depending on what kind they are.

You will often see lizards laying on a rock or other place such as a sidewalk enjoying the warmth of the sun. Children like to try and catch these, but lizards are really quick, and swiftly run into the nearest crack or crevice.

“Gila Monsters” which can be up to 2 feet long, are not an attraction for children. They are poisonous, and like hiding in desert type terrain. You will often see snakes enjoying the warmth of the asphalt or cement roadways at night time. They like asphalt the best because it is black and attracts the most stored heat during the day. They will also lay on a rock in the day time as they warm their self in the sun.

Reptiles are “cold blooded” and can often be caught sunning themselves to raise their body temperature. As soon as a human comes they will quickly flee into the nearest hiding place. When they want to cool down, reptiles will go under logs, boulders, and under your house as common hiding places in the daytime.

When you think of Arizona and snakes, you might think of the infamous “Rattle Snake”, which can have dire consequences with it’s poisonous bite. Arizona has more kinds of rattle snakes than any other state in America, 13 different species to be exact.

Even though it might not get rid of your problem, it is legal to kill rattle snakes in Arizona. You must have a hunting license to do so and be very updated as to the law because there can be some restrictions. Research rules and regulations of Arizona when it comes to reptiles, such as it being illegal to own a “pet alligator”, amongst other things.

Many, unless they are having a problem with rattle snakes invading their territory, do not want these killed and say they are part of the “eco system”. Dealing with the rattle snake can be considered “top priority” when it comes to pest control and elimination in Arizona. They offer services such as “snake removal” and “rattle snake control”. Many reptiles live in Arizona, but only a few are poisonous, such as the ones mentioned, and the “Arizona Coral Snake”.

Poisonous snakes, such as the “Rattlesnake”, are an excellent example of the damage reptiles can inflict on you and members of your household. Snake bites are a major concern when it comes to reptiles. Another threat many are not aware of when dealing with reptiles is infectious diseases. People like to have reptiles for pets such as turtles, lizards, and snakes. Having a very large snake for a pet can also be hazardous.

Crocodiles are popular as pets, but it is illegal to own one in Arizona. Arizona is not suited for them as a habitat. Tortoises are trending in Arizona and easy to obtain as a pet. Schools often have turtles and lizards as classroom pets. There are only two poisonous lizards in the United States, and only one of them lives in Arizona. It is the “Gila Monster”. These certainly won’t be making an appearance as a classroom pet.

If you seem to be having an invasion all of the sudden with unwanted reptiles around your home and property, including snakes, the best thing to do is seek the advice and services of a reliable pest control company.

Reptiles can carry a variety of germs and viruses, rather they are pets or in the wild. They also are prone to passing on parasites and worms. Necessary precaution should be taken in order to prevent damage to your personal well being, and that of your family when it comes to reptiles in your environment.

Most snakes are as afraid of you as you are of them, but there is still the possibility of getting bitten. Fortunately aggressive snakes such as the “King Cobra” and “Black Mamba” do not live in Arizona. Your chief concern, when it comes to reptile bites in Arizona, would be that of a “Rattle Snake”, “Arizona Coral Snake”, or the bite of a “Gila Monster”.

The “Arizona Coral Snake’s” bite is said to be similar to the bite of a cobra, but because of it’s small size, it does not deliver as much venom. It has a small mouth, and fangs, and is not able to equal the bite of a cobra. The bite of a “Arizona Coral Snake” is not as dangerous as the bite of a “Rattlesnake”, overall.

A “Gila Monster’s” bite is excruciatingly painful, but rarely fatal. It is venomous (poisonous). If you get bitten by any of these three, stay calm and send for medical help. Call 911. Do not apply a tourniquet, or attempt to remove and suck out the venom (poison) from the wound by cutting it, as was recommended in the olden days.

Times have changed and most emergency centers are equipped with the proper “antivenom” for the poisonous reptile bites associated with the area. The “Gila Monster” is easily identifiable, but on occasion snakes are not. Try to identify the snake you were bitten by, if possible, but do not try to capture it.

Some reptiles ARE YOUR PETS, and they have their own dangers to share, such as infectious diseases. The same dangers that humans face from reptiles, is the same that your pets face. Reptiles (such as “Rattle Snakes”) in the wild can bite your pets, and even livestock, if they happen to surprise them.

Crocodiles, and alligators can be very harmful to your pets. There are no alligators in Arizona, even as pets, because they are illegal. Reptiles can be surprisingly quick when chasing after prey, for a “cold blooded” animal. They are quickest when they are warm, so watch out for snakes and lizards that are laying in the sun. They are at their peak. If we had crocodiles and alligators in Arizona, they would be the same way.

Crocodiles and alligators are from Florida and the “Gulf States” such as Mississippi and Alabama. You will find them in the very Eastern part of Texas, too. If you are traveling in areas away from Arizona, keep a careful eye on your dogs and other pets. Alligators and crocodiles like water, and swampy type areas. They prefer “fresh water” but are beginning to show up increasingly around “black water”. Certain reptiles can be very dangerous for your pets.

Many try using many different types of things and methods to prevent reptiles from invading their territory. What types of products and practices do they use, and do they work on the “Rattle Snake”? The “Rattle Snake” is a definite danger when it comes to reptiles invading our environment.

• Toxicants- It is difficult to determine the effectiveness of toxicants on Rattle Snakes because no effective toxicant has been registered for the use as Rattle Snake control. Rodents that were fed to Rattle Snakes whom have consumed toxicants, showed no significance to the Rattle Snake’s demeanor because it’s digestive system is too slow.

• Fumigants- You can kill Rattle Snakes in their dens with fumigants, such as toxic gas, but it could prove difficult to locate their dens. Rattle Snake dens can contain several hundred Rattle Snakes. You could actually use a fumigant with a snake trap for good results. This is very dangerous stuff and usually only done by experts.

• Repellents- Snake repellents don’t seem to work on Rattle Snakes, they usually slither right over them.

Rattle Snakes are attracted to rodents, so if you have an invasion of rodents in and around your Arizona home, there is a good possibility of having Rattle Snakes. If you are seeking to prevent Rattle Snakes from invading your environment you should seek the services of a pest control company to first get rid of the rats, mice, and other rodents invading your environment.

Even Alligators turn up sometimes in Arizona in the strangest places. They are not commonly residents of this area. Irresponsible reptile pet owners either let them get away, or turn them loose because they become too much to handle. It is not legal in Arizona to have an alligator for a pet, but this doesn’t seem to deter some. When people let them go they usually do it near water sources, as they are fearful they won’t survive in desert type terrains. They are right about that. Alligators can’t survive in desert conditions.

Snakes are a big problem if you already have them, and you might need a professional pest control company to help you out of your dilemma. Where ever the weather is warm, snakes can be a problem. They usually like to live underground in “snake holes”, but sometimes whole dens of them can be found, or whole nests. There are 13 different species of “Rattlesnakes” living in Arizona. Some of these look for food and water in the Phoenix area, and maybe even in your yard. If you already have reptiles, and you are seeing an increasing number, do not hesitate to get hold of an expert pest control company, you do not have to go through this alone.

You can look a reptile in the eye and find out if it is most active in the day, or the night. If the reptile has round pupils, it indicates that they are most active in the daytime. If they have slit type pupils, that have a tendency to almost close in the daytime or in bright light, then they are most active at night.

Reptiles are supposedly not as smart, intelligence wise, as birds and most mammals. This might not be all of the way true because they like to “play” at times. It has been shown to a certain degree, that the larger the reptile, the more intelligent it is. Fortunately there are no “Komoto Dragons” in Arizona because they are about 7 to 8 feet long. The really neat thing about them is the fact that they get really active when they play. “Komoto Dragons” are reptiles. Reptiles can be the most active in the daytime or nighttime, depending upon the kind it is.

The birthing cycle of most reptiles begins with mating of the male and female. The female can actually store sperm for future eggs. Life usually begins as an “embryo” for reptiles. The eggs of a reptile are amniotic, and this is where the embryo grows. It is similar to a human baby in the womb, whom also grows in amniotic fluid which provides protection and cushioning.

The actual nourishment of the baby reptile inside of the egg comes from the “yolk”. An exception to this in the “World of Reptiles” is the “Armadillo Lizard”. They are nourished by a placenta instead of an egg. “Garter Snakes” give live birth.

Reptiles are “ecototherms” which means they are “cold-blooded”. Being a “cold-blooded” creature on this earth means you need to depend upon your environment to keep warm and make body heat. Reptiles usually have a seasoned pattern to laying eggs, depending upon their geographical location. They like to lay their eggs near water or in dampened soil.

After the reptile hatches from it’s egg, it becomes a “hatchling” and then progresses into a “juvenile”, before becoming a full pledged adult reptile. The “hatchling” can take care of its self (within 12 to 48 hours) after hatching from the egg. It usually stays in the broken parts of the egg shell until then. Time spent as a “juvenile” is different for each kind of species in the birthing cycle of reptiles, such as the “Green Iguana” who reaches adulthood at 16 months.

The “Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction” took pace approximately 66 million years ago. Certain birds and reptiles from the dinosaur linage are supposedly reported as surviving this catastrophic event.

Reptiles are from the scientific grouping of “reptilia” which is closely related to “sauropsida”. “Sauropsida” contains the birds species. There are four orders of “reptilia”:

• Testudines- “The Time of the Turtles”, and is heavily debated as to their origins.

• Crocodilia- Appeared during the “Early Triassic”.

• Sphenodontia- Emerged during the “Mid-Triassic”.

• Squamata- The most modern order, said to have appeared during the “Early Jurassic”.

The first reptiles were amphibian (they rose from the water), and gradually adapted to the land sources. They evolved from what is known as “reptiliomorth labyrinthodonts”. Reptiles are basically animals with scales, ectothermic metabolisms, and they lay eggs with a hard shell. (In the beginning the eggs were “water bound”.) You have most likely heard of “dinosaur eggs” as a sort of novelty.

“Diapsid” reptiles in two classes were the predecessors to dinosaurs, crocodilians, snakes, and lizards. The snakes and lizards came from “lepidosaurs”, and the crocodilians and dinosaurs came from the “archosaurs”. The “Diapsid” were during the “Permian Period” and definitely adds to the interesting history of reptiles.