Reptiles are a diverse group of cold-blooded vertebrates including many thousand of species, but because they are not very diverse and abundant in North America, only a few species of turtles and snakes are used by some cultures.
Reptiles are diverse group of cold-blooded vertebrates – around 7,000 species worldwide – that includes snakes, lizards, and turtles. Reptiles are covered with horny scales and lay shelled eggs.
Reference
Hickman CP, Roberts LS, Larson A: Animal Diversity. Boston: McGraw-Hill; 2000.