Reptiles

You can identify garden snakes, more commonly called garter snakes, by the three stripes on their backs that are reminiscent of garters. Learn about how to identify garden snakes in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

If you are thinking of getting a pet baby turtle, make sure you know how and what to feed it to ensure it lives a long and happy life.

By Laurie L. Dove

Crocodiles look a lot like dinosaurs, and they have certain similar characteristics. But are they related at all, or are the similarities all coincidence?

By Cristen Conger

Some animals are home hoppers — they'll leave small or damaged shells behind when they find better digs. Are turtles the same, or are they more invested in their keratin coverings?

By Maria Trimarchi

That slithery, snakelike form that just darted past might not be a snake after all. It could be legless lizard, an animal that evolved from an entirely different line.

By Julia Layton

A snake can swallow an animal that’s twice as big as its own head -- and swallow it whole. Snakes are amazing creatures with some astonishing capabilities. Did you know that a few of them can even fly? Learn how snakes get around, how they kill and eat their prey, and how they court and reproduce.

By Lacy Perry

Alligators are amazing animals that have been around for millions of years. These fearsome creatures are expert predators at the top of the food chain.

By Marshall Brain

You've heard this advice a million times, and perhaps it even brings you comfort when you're in gator territory. But is it really true?

By Alia Hoyt & Amy Hunter

To the average person, these two reptiles might look the same, but they're not. So what's the difference between alligators and crocodiles?

By Mitch Ryan