Smallest Chelonian
Of all the chelonians-turtles, tortoises and terrapins - the smallest is the Speckled cape tortoise or speckled padloper (Homopus signatus). It has a shell length of 6-9.6 cm (2.3-3.7 in) - so small that the tortoise can hide in tiny gaps between rocks.
Fastest Lizard
In a series of experiments conducted by Professor Raymond Huey from the University of Washington, USA, and colleagues at the University of California at Berkeley, USA, the highest burst speed recorded for any reptile on land was 34.9 km/h (21.7 mph) achieved by Ctenosaura, a spiny-tailed iguana from Central America.
Longest Reptilian Incubation Period
Of all the egg-laying reptiles, the tuataras have to keep their eggs warm the longest before they are ready to hatch. Scientists have recorded tuataras incubating eggs for as long as 13 to 15 months before their offspring emerge from their shells.
Largest Crocodile Eggs
The estuarine, or Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is found throughout the tropical regions of Asia and the Pacific. The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Orissa State, India, houses four, measuring more than 6 m (19 ft eight in) in length, the largest being over several unauthenticated reports of specimens up to 10 m (33 ft) in length. Adult males average 4.2-4.8 m (14-16 ft) in length and weigh about 408-520 kg (900-1,150 lb).
The False gharial (Tomiostoma schlegelii), a crocodilian with long, narrow jaws and a slender snout native to south-east Asia, lays eggs that typically measure 10×7 cm (3.94×2.76 in). Despite its name, recent studies have shown that the false gharial is more closely related to other gharials than crocodiles and alligators.
Largest Venomous Lizard
Measuring up to 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in) and weighing around 70 kg (154 lb 5 oz), the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard. In 2009, researchers at Melbourne University, Australia, discovered that the reptile also possesses a pair of venom glands in its lower jaw that secretes a venom containing several different toxic proteins.
Fastest Crocodile on Land
The Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) can attain speeds reaching 17 km/h (10.56 mph) when in full gallop-a mode of terrestrial locomotion that only a few species of crocodile can accomplish. Native to Australia, this crocodile rarely grows large than 2.5-3 m (8-10 ft).
Most Acute Nocturnal Colour Vision
Unlike most other animals with nocturnal vision, the Helmeted gecko (Tarentola chazaliae) can perceived colors at night. This is thought to be due to the higher density of colour-sensitive large cone cells in the lizard’s retinas.
Largest Tortoise
The Giant tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra) of the Galapagos Islands are the largest tortoise species. A specimen named Goliath, who resided at the Life Fellowship Bird Sanctuary in Seffiner, Florida, USA, from 1960 until his death in November 2002, was 1.35 m (4 ft 5.5 in) long, 1.02 m (3 ft 3.6 in) wide, 68.5 cm (2 ft 3 in) tall and weighed 417 kg (920 lb),
Country with Most Venomous Snake Species
Australia not only contains more species of venomous snake than any other includes among those snakes no less than nine of the world’s top 10 most venomous snake species. These include such (in) famous serpents as the Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)-perhaps the world’s most venomous snake-the eastern Brown snake (Pseusonaja textilis) at the number two spot, the Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) third and the Tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) fourth.
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