Select the one animal that has all of the reptile traits listed above.
Western rattlesnakes have scaly, waterproof skin. They can use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. Western rattlesnakes lay eggs with shells and are usually found in dry areas. Thresher sharks hatch from eggs with no shells. They have a long tail and fins. They can use their tail to hit and stun their prey. Thresher sharks live in salt water.
Reptiles are a group of animals with similar traits. The following traits can be used to identify reptiles:
They have scaly, waterproof skin.
They make eggs with shells. Observe the animals and read the descriptions.
Scientists sort animals with similar traits into groups. This is called classification. Classification helps scientists learn about how animals live.
How do scientists classify animals? First, they make observations about an animal. Scientists observe the animal's traits, including its body parts and behavior. Then, scientists compare the animal's traits to other animals' traits. Scientists classify animals with similar traits into a group.
To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group.
Reptiles have the following traits:
They have scaly, waterproof skin.
They make eggs with shells.
Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits.
A thresher shark has the following traits:
It has fins, not limbs.
It makes eggs with no shells.
A thresher shark does not have all of the traits of a reptile. A thresher shark is a fish.
A western rattlesnake has the following traits:
It has scaly, waterproof skin.
It makes eggs with shells.
A western rattlesnake has the traits of a reptile. A western rattlesnake is a reptile.