The Reptile Class is split into smaller groups, called Orders. Below is a list of some Reptile Orders:
Testudines Order: Includes Turltes. These animals have a hard "shell" which is actually their ribs. All turtles bury their eggs.
Squamata Order: Includes Lizards and Snakes. Most lizards have legs, while snakes do not. Most lizards and snakes lay eggs, though some bear live young.
Crocodilia Order: Includes Crocodiles and Alligators. We do not have these in our area!
All of the Orders above have been split into smaller groups, called Families. Families are then split into Genera. Remember, as each group gets smaller, organisms in that group are more and more alike. Each Genus will contain individual Species.
Information on specific Families and Genera is not included on this website, but you can find out which groups a species belongs to by checking the Classification Box at the bottom of each Species Page. See the example of a Black Rat Snake below:
Black Rat Snake: