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"  Reptiles roamed the Earth millions of years ago, and continue to fascinate people young and old to this day. There are many interesting animal facts about reptiles that often go overlooked. Why not share the following interesting animal facts with the animal lover in your life?   There are about 250 species of turtle, 25 species of crocodile, 3,000 lizards and 5,500 varieties of snake.   Reptiles are among the longest-lived species on the planet. Large tortoises such as the Aldabra tortoise can live 150 years or more; alligators nearly 70 years; ball pythons, 40 years.   Reptiles are not slimy as is commonly supposed because they do not have sweat or sebaceous glands. Their skin is usually cool, dry and waterproof.   Most reptiles cannot chew their food, they can only tear it.   The longest snake is the reticulated python; the heaviest, the anaconda.   Snakes are able to swallow prey much larger than themselves because most snake species can dislocate their jaws.   Snakes are deaf because they lack a middle ear. Instead, they sense vibrations through the ground.   The scales of all snakes and lizards are made of keratin, the same substance that&amp;#039;s in the hair and fingernails of people.   Most of the world&amp;#039;s snakes are nonpoisonous. Only about 500 snake species are venomous; only 30 to 40 of those are considered dangerous to humans. In fact, more Americans die each year from bee and wasp stings than from snakebites.   Reptiles are found on every continent except Antarctica.   Here&amp;#039;s one of those interesting animal facts that leaves you scratching your head: A blindworm is neither blind nor a worm. It looks like a snake, but it is classified as a lizard because of its movable eyelids and its fragile tail.   Chameleons do not change their color to blend in with different backgrounds; the color change is due to temperature regulation and emotional changes.   The world&amp;#039;s fastest lizard is the spiny-tailed iguana, which can reach speeds of 21.7 m.p.h.   The largest reptile is the saltwater crocodile, which can reach a length of 23 feet.   The ancient Egyptians used crocodile dung as a contraceptive.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/a3913/interesting-animal-facts-all-about-reptiles-78226/>