How do Reptiles Breathe? - Reptile Facts
Do you know how reptiles breathe? Reptiles have varied anatomies that adapt according to their appropriate environment. Reptiles are either or both terrestrial and marine animals and for this reason, depending on the species, they carry different mechanisms which allow them to breathe.
Keep reading here at AnimalWised to find out how do reptiles breathe, as well as discover some of the most interesting reptile facts and characteristics.
Where do reptiles live?
Before we begin with how do reptile breathe, we need to analyze a reptile’s environment. Reptile breathing depends largely on where the animal lives. Terrestrial reptiles, for example, live in deserts, jungles, forests and/or gardens all over the world. Marine reptiles, however, depending on the species, live in either freshwater or saltwater environments.
How do reptiles breathe?
So what is the exact reptile definition? Reptiles are vertebrate animals and many of the species we know today have existed since prehistoric times. Most reptiles are terrestrial animals, but some have adapted to life in aquatic environments. The reptile class includes lizards, snakes, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises.
Now, how do reptiles breathe? Reptiles breathe using their lungs and this vital process is done in two phases: external and internal. In order to breathe this way, reptiles have the following structures:
- Nostrils
- A windpipe
- Glottis
- Bronchi
- Lungs
These structures are only found in all terrestrial reptiles, but how is this process carried out? How do terrestrial reptiles breathe? To exchange gases, terrestrial reptiles depend on their lungs. Air is taken in through the nasal passage or the mouth, it then crosses the palate to the trachea, where the glottis divides the air to both bronchi, from where gas is transported to the lungs. Reptile lungs, in turn, are formed by multiple alveoli.
A reptile’s thorax muscles are indispensable because they allow for dilation of the lung box lining. Therefore, the amount of air received will depend on the size of the individual reptile’s thoracic and pulmonary cavity.
In general, all terrestrial reptiles have two well developed lungs. However, a large number of snakes, marine or not, have only one lung as the other is atrophied. There are also other species which follow one-way breathing , such as the Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus).
For more about these fascinating animals, we recommend reading our article where we list the 8 most dangerous animals in the world.
Marine reptiles
Because marine reptiles characteristics differ to terrestrial reptiles, their breathing is also different. When we think of marine reptiles, it’s normal to wonder, ‘‘How do reptiles breathe in water?’’
Most turtles and marine snakes, for example, take in air from the surface and are able to store it in their lungs, after which they can submerge underwater for roughly half an hour to an hour (depending on the species). Snakes are able to reduce their metabolic rate when they are underwater and thanks to this, they perform anaerobic respiration.
Within the marine environment, breathing varies largely depending on the species. Some turtles, for example, rise to the surface for air, while others are able to extract air from their cloaca or pharynx from where they take in oxygen found in water.
For more about fascinating animal breathing techniques, discover our list of animals that breathe through skin.
How do crocodiles breathe?
One of the most popular reptiles in the world are crocodiles. Crocodiles are semiaquatic reptiles that live on both land and in water. Crocodile breathing is the same as other terrestrial sauropsids: air passes through their nostrils, the trachea and the glottis and is then divided to each bronchi and received by the lungs.
For a crocodile to be able to expand its ribcage, it requires pushing back the liver which returns to place with exhalation. But, how do crocodiles breathe underwater? When underwater, crocodiles contract the glottis, whereby oxygen is retained in the body and gases are expelled through the hemoglobin. Thanks to this such process, which is mechanical and involuntary, crocodiles are able to open their snouts underwater as well as hunt without swallowing water.
For more amazing crocodile and reptile facts, read about the differences between alligators and crocodiles.
How do lizards breathe?
Most lizards breathe through with their lungs. However, as we’ve already mentioned, the Savannah monitor lizard follows a one-way breathing process. This means that their airflow is undirectional. Air can either enter the bronchi into the parabronchi, or it can move to posterior air sacs where the air is then stored.
Reptile characteristics
Do you have a child at home and need to explain a reptile’s breathing process simply? Follow these points:
- Reptiles absorb air through the nose.
- Once inside the organism, the air passes through the palate.
- Air goes down the throat to the bronchi.
- In the bronchi it is divided.
- The air passes to the lungs.
- Afterwards, it only remains to expel carbon dioxide through the nose.
For more fun reptile facts, read which reptiles are herbivorous?
Reptile facts
Reptiles are incredibly interesting animals, and can vary largely in characteristics. Some of the most interesting reptile facts include:
- Reptiles are unable to regulate their body temperature internally, they use external sources to do this. Most reptiles are ectothermic.
- Many snake and lizard species smell with their tongues.
- Turtles breathe through their butt’s when underwater.
- Some crocodiles swallow stones and rocks so that they can dive deeper underwater with more ease.
- Contrary to popular belief, most reptiles are not actually slimy. Because reptiles don’t have sweat glands, their skin is usually cool and dry.
Are birds reptiles?
Surprisingly, many reptiles and birds are very closely related. Technically speaking, because birds descended from the very first reptile, it’s common to assume that birds are a type of reptile. But, they are in fact more closely related to dinosaurs, and some may argue that they are in fact dinosaurs. But, if we look at the definition of reptiles: cold-blooded animals that are covered in scales, then we can confirm that birds are, in relation to this definition at least, not reptiles.
If, however, we refer to the Phylogenetic taxonomy system, created by German biologist Willi Henning in 1940, animals are classified based on their ancestry. According to this system, reptiles define any animal that has originated from the original reptile group. Therefore, according to Phylogenetic taxonomy, birds are reptiles[1].
If you want to read similar articles to How do Reptiles Breathe? - Reptile Facts, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.
1. Richter, S. Meier, R. The Development of Phylogenetic Concepts in Hennig’s Early Theoretical Publications (1947-1966). Systemic Biology. Oxford University Press. 43, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp. 212-221.
- "Tipos de sistemas de respiración". Proyecto biosfera. Ministerio de Educación de España. Consulta: http://recursos.cnice.mec.es/biosfera/alumno/1bachillerato/animal/index.htm
- "Los lagartos respiran en una sola dirección, como las aves". (2013, 13 de diciembre). National Geographic. Consulta: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/los-lagartos-respiran-en-una-sola-direccion-como-las-aves
- Arévalo Gutiérrez, Carlos. (2000). Biología de reptiles. Universidad de Guadalajara, México.
- Mendoza Alvarado, Katherine. (2018). Estudio macroscópico y microscópico del aparato respiratorio del cañán (Dicrodon guttulatum) en la provincia de Trujillo. Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Perú. Tesis de grado.