Where Do Reptiles Live?
Reptiles live primarily in temperate and tropical climates. Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they are unable to regulate the internal temperature of their bodies. Because of this, they have to live in warm and sunny climates.
Reptiles prefer to live in warm, dry climates rather than wet ones. They are most numerous in areas such as deserts and semi-deserts. However, reptiles can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. Reptiles have adapted to live in a variety of environments, including water, deserts, jungles, forests, and mountains. The reptiles that live in water can do so temporarily or permanently, depending on the species. Reptiles are not like fish, however, and cannot breathe in water.
While reptiles can live almost everywhere, some specific species can only live in certain areas. For instance, the Gila Monster, which is one of the two venomous lizards, lives in the arid and semiarid regions of the United States and Mexico, but its habitat is being threatened due to urban development.
Different reptiles tend to live in different areas. Turtles and some snakes, for instance, live in water, while some reptiles like the Mexican Bearded Lizard can thrive in the deserts of Mexico. Crocodiles are found primarily in subtropical regions. Snakes are the most prevalent, with snakes living in almost every type of habitat around the world.
