Young Writers Society

For my book I'm doing research on dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Since dinosaurs were reptiles I'm trying to do a little research on them as well [especially since I know very little about them]. I am, unfortunatly, bad at researching until I somehow manage to find a soruce.

Anyway, I've gone to book stores and all I've found on Reptiles were nature guides, which doesn't really help me. I would like some general information, but I do have one question I'd really like the answer to. I want to know how sensitive a reptile's tail is. Yes, that is a rather bizarre question, which is why it's hard to get answers to. I'd go find a specialist, but there aren't any in the area, and there isn't a zoo that close either.

I'd appreciate it if you could give any books or sites that could help me. Or if you could give me the info yourself.

I have kept reptiles for over a decade. My specialty is snakes but I have knowledge of most genuses/species. This means I'm familiar with the genus and the species the animal (reptile) is classified under in Latin. For example, I keep Python (genus) regius (species) ((Royal or Ball Python)) and Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus ((Northern Pinesnake))

I'm very equipped to help you but because I've worked closely with them for so long, and not just snakes. Could I ask for specific questions? I'm not, however, an expert on dinosaurs but you're right. They were reptiles, and so they were cold-blooded animals.

I'd be thrilled. I'm still doing my best to do some research on my own. I really want to know how sensitive a reptile's tail is. But, other than that, I just want as much knowledge as you can throw at me. I have no experience with reptiles what-so-ever so I don't really know what all I need to know at this point, my area of knowledge is with dogs. I think basic knowledge would be a great start. I can say I want more information on reptiles so I can get a better feel for how they would act and respond to various stimuli.

I'm really sorry that I can't narrow it down too much. I always hate being asked to explain a broad topic with no, or very few, guidelines.

Unfortunately, "throwing as much information at you," would consist of a fifty page or more essay. Narrowing it down would have been easier but I can give you the basic mechanics of all reptiles.

1. All reptiles are cold-blooded. This means their bodies cannot produce thermo, or "body heat" to keep the animal warm. They rely on outside sources of heat to regulate or (thermoregulate) their body temps. So, a reptile may "bask" on a rock in the open sun for a few minutes, then retreat into a burrow to cool themselves down.

2. All reptiles have different metabolism rates. Snakes, for example, have slower digestive systems, and depending on the size of the meal, it can take up to seven days to a full year for it to completely defecate. Lizards can be omnivores or carnivores, and their digestive system is generally much faster. They can digest their food up to a few days, basically two. All snakes are carnivores. Tortoises are generally vegetarians, but it has been sighted in "the field," and in home enclosures, (I've seen it myself) that they occasionally will accept some fruit, and hay. This is especially true for the grassland, species such as Russian Tortoises who thrive in arid environments. Aquatic turtles and Box (which are semi-aquatic) are omnivores but will also accept some fruit in their diet.

3. All reptiles will shed their skin (snakes and lizards) or scutes (turtles and tortoises) as they begin to grow into adulthood. Even as adults, reptiles will still shed but it is usually once, twice at most once a year. As babies or yearlings, they may shed their skin once a week to twice or three times a month. The rate depends on diet, species, how much the animal is eating, and overall space it has to "walk about."

For dinosaurs, there were two types in terms of land animals and that most I remember we're lizards, besides the arboreal species. You had the carnivores, who's teeth we're designed to tear, and rip through flesh. Their jaw pressure was also meant to crush and break bones if possible. Vegetarians; their teeth were flat, and were designed to chew and break down flora or plant matter. I do not recollect if their were any omnivores in the dinosaur age.

I do know however that there are species that have survived from the day the dinosaurs walked the Earth. Their evolution has not changed much, and scientists are still able to make direct connects to their decedents - the dinosaurs. Such examples would be the Horseshoe Crab, and another, the parrot, mainly Macaws.

I'll probably have more to add as I think through more but to set you off on researching, here are some places you can go.

kingsnake.com
reptilescanada.com

and, if your local Barnes and Noble or Borders has a newsstand, there is a magazine that is published monthly dedicated solely to reptiles. The name of the magazine is, Reptiles Magazine.

Those sites have access to forums as well as tons of care sheets. Be warned though, you will more than likely get mixed information that's not correct at all or partially. Cross-referencing will be key in determining fact from fiction. Kingsnake.com has is a huge site, and has access to a good deal of care sheets but most of the Americans on there are a bit brain dead sometimes. Just be careful what people will tell you.

ReptilesCanada.com doesn't really have that much in the way of caresheets but the people on there are very friendly and much more knowledgeable generally.

I'm a member on both forums, but I usually hang out on the Canadian forum from time to time.

If you need anything else, send me a PM. Reptiles is more than a hobby to me, it's a passion that I've been involved with since I was seven.