Peoria Zoo

There are more than 7,700 species of reptiles, a class of animals that includes turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, crocodiles and alligators, and tuataras.
ALL REPTILES HAVE SCALY SKIN
Reptiles have dry, scaly skin. Their special covering actually helps them hold in moisture and lets them live in dry places.
ALL REPTILES ARE ECTOTHERMS (COLD BLOODED)
This means that reptiles cannot produce sufficient internal heat to maintain a constant body temperature. Instead, reptiles' body temperature varies, depending on the surrounding temperature. Most reptiles -- including all turtles, crocodiles, and alligators -- lay eggs. But other reptiles -- about one out of five types of lizards and snakes -- bear live young.