Reptiles are ectothermic (cold blooded) vertebrate animals that have a dry, scaly skin. Reptiles are a diverse group of animals that includes crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and turtles.
Most reptiles are carnivorous (i.e. eat other animals) and lay eggs (oviparous), although a small number hatch their eggs internally (ovoviviparous). Reptile eggs are leathery in texture, in contrast to birds’ eggs which are hard and brittle.
Australia has almost 200 known species of snake, of which 25 are considered to be potentially deadly. The world’s most venomous snake is the Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is found in central Australia.