All reptiles, with the exception of turtles, have teeth

All types of reptiles found in Slovenia are predators. They are equipped with sharp teeth in their mouths (except turtles, which have horny jaws) for grabbing their prey, however, they do not chew but swallow it whole. The intestine ends with the cloaca, into which the sexual and kidney secretions (mostly uric acid) drain.

Slovenia is home to three species of venomous snakes, all from the viper family: Common European Viper (Vipera berus), Asp Viper (Vipera aspis) and Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes). Their body is stocky, their tail fairly narrow and short. They have a vertical pupil and a more or less triangular head. They are equipped with two venomous teeth in the upper jaw, with which they pierce the skin and eject poison. The venom is not dangerous to a healthy human adult unless bitten near the head. In the event of a venomous snake bite, medical attention is required. Nowadays, the victim is usually not given the antidote anymore but is just kept under observation. Due to its zigzag pattern and sometimes similar colouration, the Common European Viper can be confused with the non-venomous Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca). Snakes prefer to hide in danger rather than attack or even jump. If they fail to retreat, they raise their upper body as a warning and hiss, but may also defend themselves with a bite.

 

Snakes shed their skin in one piece

The reptiles’ body is covered by skin with scales (snakes, lizards) or scutes (turtles) that lessen the evaporation of water from their body. The epidermis of the skin is continually renewed, which is the reason why reptiles moult.

 

Reproduction of reptiles

Reptiles are distinguished by their internal fertilization. Male turtles and crocodiles have a penis, whereas male scaled reptiles (snakes and lizards) have two hemipenises. During copulation, the penis or hemipenis protrudes from the body and the male ejects sperm into the female’s cloaca. The majority of reptiles are oviparous (lay eggs), while others are ovoviviparous, e.g. viviparous lizards and vipers.

 

Reptiles can hear

Reptiles have well-developed senses. The eyes are very important, and so are the senses of smell and hearing. In snakes, the eardrum and the middle ear are lacking. They hear with the aid of vibrations of the ground. The latter is transmitted through the body to the inner ear. Turtles and lizards hear through the eardrum (round membrane on the head). Sound is transmitted through the eardrum to the middle ear and onto the inner ear. Apart from the nose, snakes and lizards also use the tongue as the sense of smell, which helps them transfer chemicals from the environment to Jacobson’s organ on the roof of the mouth.

 

Reptiles are endangered, so we should protect them

The majority of reptiles are predators which regulate the abundance of other organisms in their environment. As they feed on mammals, amphibians and insects, they constitute an important part of nature. They are mostly threatened by being killed and having their habitat destroyed. Reptiles are endangered and therefore protected by law. It is forbidden to kill them, poison them and destroy their habitats (Regulation on wild animal species, Reg. l. 46/2004; Red list of endangered reptile species, Reg. l. RS 82/2002).

Furthermore, it is important that no nonindigenous animal species are released into nature. The non-native invasive species the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scriptaelegans), which is a common terrarium species, is taking the food and space away from our native European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis). Hence, no terrarium animals should ever be released into nature.