Back to the Ocean


Need fresh water to lay externally fertilized
eggs
No true saltwater species
 What characteristics do organisms in
Class Reptilia share?
 Ectothermic (coldblooded)
 Lungs that breathe air
 Scales
 Internal fertilization
 Oviparous
 Examples: alligators, crocodiles, turtles,
lizards, and snakes
 Order Crocodilia
(Alligators, Crocodiles, and Caimens)
 All members are semi-aquatic (living
in freshwater swamps and rivers)
 Giant saltwater crocodile can live in
oceanic environment for extended
periods of time
Where are saltwater crocs
found?
1. How much can they weigh?
2. How long can they get?
3. Are they known to attack people?
4. Where in the U.S. can saltwater crocs be found?
5. A few years ago, these crocs were considered
endangered. Are they still considered so now?
1.

Order Testudines
(Turtles and Tortoises)
 “ 7 ” marine species:
▪ Live in warm water feeding on a variety of animals
and plants
▪ Take years to mature
▪ All endangered or threatened
▪ Even with restrictions on capture, turtles continue to
perish as bycatch.
▪ 5 species found in Gulf of Mexico
▪ Unable to retreat inside shell

Bird-like beak


Smallest of all sea turtles
Critically endangered species

Most commonly seen sea turtle throughout
the world

Commonly found on Texas coast


Largest and fastest swimming sea turtle
Most endangered of the sea turtles
1.
2.
3.
4.
____ % of the sea turtle’s life is spent in
water.
Sea turtles are known to migrate up to
_____ of miles taking _______ or _______ to
complete
_____ sea turtles tend to stay near the coral
reefs.
_____ and _____ are known to cross oceans.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Females return to their native beaches every
_____-_____ years to mate and lay eggs.
Many turtles travel in/ follow _____. (think
Nemo)
_____ are known to have the longest
migration.
Leatherbacks can be over _____ pounds and
over _____ feet long!
 Order Squamata
(Snakes and lizards)
 61 species of marine snakes
 Sea snake has most toxic venom of any snake
▪ Adaptation to hunting small fish
▪ Sea-snake fangs are small and are located at the back of the
mouth making it difficult to deliver a toxic bite to a human
 Marine iguana found in the Galapagos Islands is the
only saltwater lizard
▪ Herbivorous
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
How dangerous are sea snakes?
What location is a common place to find sea
snakes?
What type of sea snakes is the most common?
Sea snakes are closely related to the
_______________ but they are now adapted for
life ________________.
Why do sea snakes flick their tongue?
What is a distinguishing characteristic about
the sea snake tail?
What do sea snakes eat?
How long can sea snakes hold their breath?
9. It is believed that sea snakes take in Oxygen
by another method to allow them to stay
underwater so long; what is this method?
10. The sea snake is mostly closely related to
which land snake? Which is most poisonous?
11. Where do sea snakes commonly sleep?
12. Sea snakes are not known to bite man; why?
13. How many species of sea snake are there?
8.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Marine Iguanas are found ___________.
They are _____ blooded
Why are they black?
It takes ________ (time) to warm up once
the sun comes up.
What temperature is their top “norm”?
How cold is the water in their habitat?
What do marine iguanas eat?
8. How deep can marine iguanas dive?
9. How do they maintain their body
temperature as long as they do?
10. How long can marine iguanas stay
underwater eating?
11. How do they maintain as much body heat as
possible at night?
7.
 What characteristics are shared by
organisms in class Aves?
 Feathers
 Endothermic
 Four-chambered heart
 Forelimbs that are wings
 Internal fertilization
 Oviparous

Adaptations
 Webbed feet for swimming efficiently while
floating
 Pouched bill that aids in capturing fish
 Wing characteristics adapted to long-duration
flying over wide expanses of water
Predators of fish, crustaceans, and
mollusks
 Prey for marine mammals and even sharks
 Seabirds supply nutrient rich guano
(droppings) to the marine ecosystem


Groups include:
 Gulls, Terns, Pelicans, Penguins, and Albatross

Order Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
 All live in the Southern Hemisphere
 Spend 75% of their time underwater searching for food in





the ocean
Consumers of krill, squid, and small fish
Dive using their wings for propulsion
Thrive in massive nesting colonies
Emperor Penguin remains on the Antarctic continent year
round
Most species breed in the less frigid subantarctic islands

Order Procellariiformes (Albatross)
 Range widely from the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific
 Feed on squid, fish and krill by either scavenging, surface seizing or diving
 Population numbers have greatly decreased due to harvesting of feathers,





introduction of rats and feral cats, overfishing and long-line fishing
Have enlarged nasal gland at base of their bill that helps to lower their salt
content by producing a 5% saline solution that drips out of their nose
Wing span of up to 11.2 ft; have a shoulder-lock tendon that locks the wing
when fully extended (No muscle expenditure)
Colonial birds, nesting on isolated islands
Spend nearly a year rearing a hatchling; usually only one egg
Have a long life span of up to 50 years

Order Pelecaniformes (Pelicans)
 Large birds with large pouched bills
 Primarily inhabit warm regions
 Maximum wing span of nearly 10 ft.
 Diet consists of fish, crustaceans, amphibians and small
birds on occasion
 Fish in groups; form a line to chase schools of small fish
into shallow water and then scoop them up
 Lay 2 eggs and hatching success can be up to 95% for an
undisturbed pair

Order Charadriiformes (Gulls and Terns)
 Gulls
▪ Ground nesting carnivores usually feeding off of crabs
and small fish
▪ Coastal or inland species; very rarely venturing out to
sea
▪ Inquisitive and intelligent birds
▪ Mobbing behavior – harassing would be predators
▪ Use of tools – baiting goldfish with bits of bread
▪ Coexist with humans

Order Charadriiformes (Gulls and Terns)
 Terns
▪ Worldwide distribution
▪ Make harsh, single-note calls
▪ Most Terns hunt fish by diving; Marsh Terns pick insects
off the surface of the water
▪ Only rarely swim despite having webbed feet
▪ Generally nest in large, densely packed colonies
▪ Can live in excess of 25-30 years