Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles
Discover the sort of objects that might turn up in the stomach of a Nile crocodile. See a ferocious Komodo dragon and a swordfish’s sword, find out how fish illuminate the depths of the ocean, and discover what’s special about an Indian python’s backbone.
In the Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles gallery you can meet a giant tortoise, huge snakes and fish that live so deep in the ocean they provide their own light .
This long-spined porcupine fish, Diodon holocanthus, is found in warm ocean waters worldwide. It is 1 of more than 24,000 species of fish. Fish are the most successful group of vertebrates and out-number all the other vertebrate groups combined.
Watch out – Komodo dragons like this specimen can kill animals as big as goats and have even been known to attack humans. These creatures, which can reach three metres long and weigh up to 150 kilogrammes, are the largest living land lizards.
Like many fishes that live in the depths of the oceans, this female football fish has a huge, gaping jaw designed to allow it to eat any food that comes its way. It also has a light-producing lure to attract prey.
Ever wondered what a snake looks like beneath its skin? This fascinating, coiled skeleton belongs to an Indian python. It has lots of extra vertebrae to support its long body and its flexible backbone allows the snake to make its twisting movements.
The Nile crocodile can rip chunks of flesh but not chew them. Instead, it swallows hard objects to help grind up its food. Objects found in its stomach include stones, bits of tortoise shell, porcupine quills and even beads and bangles.
