Loggerhead Hatchling © John Powanda

REPTILES

Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates (backboned animals), covered in scales, that reproduce through internal fertilization, whose young mostly hatch from eggs laid on land. There are more than 10,000 species of reptiles. Unlike mammals and birds, reptiles do not maintain a constant internal body temperature. They must use the environment to regulate their body temperature. Four types of reptiles – turtles, lizards and the aforementioned alligators and snakes – find Pensacola Beach to be a great place to live, visit, or start a family.

Lizard Nav

Lizards

Pond Turtles Nav

Pond Turtles

Alligator Nav

Alligators

Sea Turtles Nav

Sea Turtles

Snakes Nav

Snakes

Content for this section was provided by Rick O’Connor, the Florida Sea Grant agent for Escambia County. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) partners with coastal counties to provide education, research, outreach and extension programs. You may reach him at roc1@ufl.edu and find out more at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia.