Knowra Marine reptile Marine reptile A reptile adapted to spend some or most of its life in the sea. Marine reptiles include living groups such as sea turtles and sea snakes, as well as extinct marine lineages.
Amniote : A vertebrate whose embryo develops within an amnion and related membranes. Marine reptiles belong to this broader group of land vertebrates.
Sea turtle : A turtle adapted to marine life, with limbs modified into flippers in most species. Sea turtles are the best-known living marine reptiles.
Marine reptile locomotion : Swimming adaptations in reptiles, including paddling limbs, body undulation, and tail-driven propulsion. Different lineages generated thrust with limbs, bodies, or tails.
Marine food web : A network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ocean ecosystem. Marine reptiles act as predators, grazers, and prey in ocean food webs.
Reptile : An amniote vertebrate, including turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodilians, and birds. The marine forms retain reptilian ancestry despite adaptations to life at sea.
Sea snake : A venomous snake adapted to marine life; most species live in the Indo-Pacific. Sea snakes represent a living marine radiation among snakes.
Salt gland : An organ that removes excess salts from the body by secreting concentrated salt solutions. Sea turtles and sea snakes use salt glands to manage ingested seawater.
Sea turtle migration : Long-distance movements by sea turtles between feeding, breeding, and nesting areas. These migrations link distant marine habitats and coastal nesting sites.
Tetrapod : A vertebrate with four limbs or descended from a four-limbed ancestor. Marine reptiles descend from land vertebrates with four-limbed body plans.
Marine iguana : A Galápagos lizard that swims and feeds on marine algae. It is the only living lizard species that forages in the sea.
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