PHYLUM CORDATA: THE VERTEBRATES
MARINE REPTILES
• COLD BLOODED – FOUND IN TROPICS
• LAY LEATHERY EGGS ON LAND
• AIR BREATHING – HAVE LUNGS
• SCALY SKIN REDUCES WATER LOSS
• SALT GLANDS REMOVE SALT FROM BODY
SEA TURTLES
• LEGS ARE FLATTENED
FLIPPERS FOR SWIMMING
• STRONG BEAK-LIKE JAWS
• EAT ALGAE, SPONGES,
SEA GRASSES, FISH & JELLYFISH
• 8 SPECIES – ALL ARE ENDANGERED or THREATENED
• COLLECTED FOR SHELLS, EGGS, MEAT
• CAUGHT IN SHRIMP NETS & DRIFT NETS WHERE THEY DROWN
& ARE SOLD ON THE BLACK MARKET
GREEN SEA TURTLE
LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE
LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE
HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE
Loggerhead Sea Turtle video 3:30
MARINE IGUANA
• ONLY FOUND ON GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
• EAT SEAWEEDS ON ROCKY BEACHES
• CAN DIVE UP TO 40 FEET TO FIND SEAWEEDS TO EAT
MALE IGUANAS – RED FOR MATING
IGUANA FEEDING UNDERWATER
MARINE IGUANA SWIMMING
MARINE IGUANA BASKING
Marine Iguana video 2:50
Iguana video
SALTWATER CROCODILE
• FOUND IN SOUTH PACIFIC & INDIAN OCEANS
• LIVE ON TROPICAL COASTLINES IN MANGROVES & ESTUARIES
• EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE PREDATORS
• CAN REACH LENGTHS OVER 20 FEET
SALT WATER CROCODILE
SEA SNAKES
• 55 SPECIES – SOUTH PACIFIC ONLY
• FLATTENED BODY & TAIL FOR SWIMMING
• MOST GIVE BIRTH TO LIVE YOUNG IN THE WATER
• CARNIVORES – EAT FISH
• BREATHE AIR OR ABSORB OXYGEN THROUGH THEIR SKIN
• EXTREMELY VENOMOUS – (NON-AGGRESSIVE)
• HUNTED FOR THEIR SKINS
PELAGIC SEA SNAKE
BANDED SEA SNAKE
OLIVE SEA SNAKE
OLIVE SEA SNAKE
YELLOW-BELLIED SEA SNAKE