(American) alligator mississippiensis and (Chinese) alligator sinensis
An alligator is a very large reptile, found in China and America. They are related to crocodiles but are generally darker in colour and have a broader snout. Alligators live in fresh water.
Chameleons are a distinctive-looking family of lizards. The most famous chameleons change colour to camouflage against their surroundings, but not all chameleons can do this. Chameleons eat insects, catching them with their extremely long tongues. Chameleons can move their eyes independantly, and point them in two different directions at once.
Cobras are a kind of venomous snake found in Africa, India, the Middle East and Indonesia. They rear up and flatten out their neck like the snake in the picture when they are scared.
Cobras are the snake of choice for snake charmers, who seem to hypnotise a snake by playing a musical instrument in front of it.
Crocodiles are a large reptile that can range in size up to eight metres long. They are found all over the world, and can live in both fresh water and salt water. They are related to alligators.
Dinosaurs lived on the Earth millions of years ago. They came in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. Some dinosaurs were tall and walked on two legs, others walked on all fours. Some dinosaurs ate grass and leaves, other dinosaurs ate smaller dinosaurs.
The frill necked lizard, frilled lizard or frilled dragon is found in dry regions of Australia and New Guinea. It can grow to a metre long including its tail. The lizard has a large frill around its neck that it can raise when it is disturbed, and the frill is meant to frighten off whatever disturbed it. If the frill doesn't work it will run away and hide up a tree.
A gecko is a kind of small lizard. They eat small insects. Geckos grow up to a few inches long, and come in a wide variety of colours. Some geckos have special feet, and can walk up walls or across a glasswindow.
Goannas are large monitors that live in Australia. Some of them are quite small, but some can grow up to two metres long. Goannas eat insects and small animals, and will also eat rotting meat from dead animals they find.
