1. What is ecdysis?

The shedding of the epidermal layers (All reptiles).

2. How do scales help a snake move?
Scales drag against the ground to help the snake move forward .
3. How does autonomy allow a lizard to survive?
Autonomy or self-amputation allows the lizard to escape predators with the loss of its tail if pulled on.
4. What is the difference between a non protrusive and a protrusive tongue? Provide two examples of
species for each one.
Protrusible tongues are capable of being thrusted forward to catch prey while non-protrusible tongues are
not. Two examples of protrusible tongues are chameleons and monitor lizards. Two examples of non-
protrusible are crocodilians and testudines.
5. What are the differences between the fangs of a viper, a colubridae and a cobra?
Viperidae have hollow fangs that fold back when the mouth is closed, Colubridae possess rear fangs that
are grooved, and cobra have rigid fangs that fit into the lower jaw.
6. How do reptiles thermoregulate their bodies?
Most reptiles use external heat sources for thermoregulation (ectotherms) – May face the sun or align
parallel to sun rays, seek shelter, etc.
7. How does the Jacobson's organ relate to the olfactory system (in squamates)?
The forked tongue (protrusive) in squamates “taste” the air for airborne chemicals and then moves to the
Jacobson’s organs in their palate
8. How do pit organs allow some snakes to locate prey?
Snakes have pit organs between the eyes and the nostrils, which detect differences in temperature,
allowing them to locate prey.
9. What is the function of the hemipenes?
Hemipenes is intromittent organ found in lizards and snakes for introducing
sperm into the female reproductive tract (cloaca).