8.06 Safari Quest Four—Reptiles

Hi there! I just got off the satellite phone with the helicopter captain who will take us to our next destination. I'm really excited that I'll be able to accompany you. So where are we going?

I understand that you are familiar with Charles Darwin, and you've sailed on a replica of the H.M.S. Beagle. Now that would have been ideal for this Safari Quest, because we're headed out to the Galapagos Islands, but the chopper will be much faster!

This quest will be one for a reptile. The Galapagos Islands are home to a few very special and unique reptiles: the marine iguana and the Galapagos tortoise. You'll get to see both while you're there.

Okay, the chopper's here. Let's shove off.

While we're in the air, it will be a perfect time to talk a bit more about reptiles. Then, when we get to Isla Santa Cruz, the island that has the tortoise reserve, you'll be ready to hit the ground running.

In this activity, you will: investigate and describe the adaptive advantage of the amniotic egg recognize that reptiles are able to sense changes in their environment through a well-developed nervous system investigate and identify special adaptations that make reptile species successful

Let the Quest Begin

To get started, open, save (as an .rtf), and print the Reptile Field Guide.

• You'll complete this Reptile Field Guide and submit it as a page to be included in a field guide that BioVentures Unlimited is preparing for its tour guests.
• Make sure to look it over carefully before you get started.
• You can complete some information along the way as you explore.
• You'll want to wait on some information until you've selected the reptile to include in your field guide.

As a way of discovering just what kinds of animals belong to class Reptilia, watch these short video clips.

Add these three questions to your Travel Log and seek the answers as you view the clips! (Notes Page)

• What are the three groups of reptiles?
• Are reptiles ectothermic or *endothermic?
• What adaptations make reptiles well suited for living on dry land (as opposed to living near the water like amphibians)?

endothermic animals have an internal way of regulating body temperature, and the body temperature remains fairly constant despite the environmental temperature.

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Great, we've arrived. Spend some time exploring the two islands that are home to the most famous Galapagos reptiles.

Isla Santa Cruz
Isla Fernandina

We've already covered quite a bit of ground, but we've got a way to go.

Move on to the BioVenture tab to continue your quest for reptiles.