The Cold-Blooded Ones are called that because They lack the ability to keep warm by themselves. They need to regulate their body temperatures. To help them to do that, the Cold-Blooded Ones use their environment. A Turtle will find a sunny spot to bask in. A Salamander will move under a rock for warmth. Toads will bury themselves in the dirt. Snakes prefer living in rocky dens for warmth.
Reptiles are one of the most ancient forms of life, and also one of the most adaptable. Both Turtles and Crocodiles have survived the dinosaurs, while remaining the same today as they were in the past. In addition, Crocodiles are distant relatives to Birds and Dinosaurs. Snakes and Lizards have expanded the ways that Reptiles adapt to their environment.
Amphibians are another ancient and modern form of life, that ranges from the Lungless Salamander to the Cane Toad. Amphibians live a double life having two forms, one for early life in the water and one for adult life on land. Like Reptiles, Amphibians are cold-blooded. Concern over missing Frogs and disappearing Salamanders have led people to question their activities in regard to the environment.
The Cold-Blooded Ones teach sensitivity to the environment. We need to be selective about the environments that we expose ourselves to. We also need to be sensitive to the plight of Reptiles and Amphibians. Halting habitat loss is critical to their survival.
Many books and websites that discuss animal wisdom have Snakes, Lizards, Frogs, and Turtles listed as one animal each. However, the individuals in each group are widespread in their characteristics and habits. A Rat Snake is different in temperament from a Cobra. The Lizard species encompasses tiny Geckos, huge Komodo Dragons, and fierce Horned Lizards. Turtles range from the quiet Box Turtle to the rapacious Snapping Turtle.
Since some characteristics pertain to the entire species, one can offer some generalizations about the group, for example, such as Snakes have no legs or that Turtles have shells. Therefore, there will be a family page for these animals, as well individual pages for specific members of the group. However, bear in mind what most members of each group may have in common, some animals will not. Visit both to discover what they each have to teach.
Come in and learn more about these Cold-Blooded Ones. Go to the Cold-Blooded Ones' Family and Individual Pages.
Conservation Note: The people of Central Florida noticed how many Frogs, Snakes, and Turtles were being killed crossing a busy highway. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about a thousand animals of eighty species were being killed a year along a two mile stretch of U.S. 441, which crosses a nature preserve. The local people with state transportation and natural resource agencies, environmental groups, and the University of Florida worked together to develop a safe crossing for the animals. The result was a tipped wall that diverted the animals to highway underpasses. Since building the wall, animals have been safely crossing under the road.
Return to the Main Animal Page
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Ecopassage Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration: Critter Crossings: “Linking Habitats and Reducing Road Kill”. Check their website on how to save wildlife from becoming road kill.
"Frog and Lizard at Pond" Drawing copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling
Va. Carper