How Much Do You Know About Reptiles?

Last updated · 7 min play time

With their prehistoric look and similarity to dinosaurs many of us are fascinated and often times frightened by reptiles. But how much do you really know about these cold-blooded creatures? Test yourself with this challenging quiz.

This quiz was expert-written by Todd Curtis. Todd has his Bachelor’s in Physics and Mathematics as well as his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Currently, he is a physics professor and has taught astronomy and engineering. In addition to Todd being a history and trivia buff, he is also a DIY guru and built his own house.


Todd has his Bachelor’s in Physics and Mathematics as well as his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Currently, he is a physics professor and has taught astronomy and engineering.

In addition to Todd being a history and trivia buff, he is also a DIY guru and built his own house!

Reptiles Quiz Questions

20 Questions · 8.9K Plays · 4 Comments

Question 1

Reptile scales are used for which of the following?

  • A
    To absorb oxygen
  • B
    Protection
  • C
    To absorb water to drink
  • D
    All options are correct

Question 2

Reptiles are ectothermic meaning they control body temperature using which of the following:

  • A
    None of these, the body automatically regulates temperature like in humans
  • B
    Absorbing heat from the environment
  • C
    Moving around more to generate heat
  • D
    Shivering or sweating to control temperature

Question 3

Reptiles have a much lower resting metabolism than most mammals. What is the benefit of a low resting metabolism?

  • A
    The body requires less fuel (food)
  • B
    The animal is able to go long periods of time without breathing
  • C
    They are able to more easily survive in cold climates
  • D
    Eye sight is improved

Question 4

Many lizards have the ability to lose and regrow their tails. What is the most common reason they do this?

  • A
    To attract a mate
  • B
    As food for their young
  • C
    To distract a predator
  • D
    As part of shedding their skin during growth

Question 5

Where is snake venom stored?

  • A
    Hollow fangs
  • B
    Venom glands
  • C
    Hollow jaw bone
  • D
    Nasal passage

Question 6

All of the following facts about chameleon eyes are true EXCEPT:

  • A
    They can see visible and ultraviolet light
  • B
    They have a 360 degree arc of vision
  • C
    Their eyes can move in two different directions
  • D
    Each eye has two pupils

Question 7

Where do sea turtles lay their eggs?

  • A
    Between rocks on the ocean floor
  • B
    On the sandy ocean floor
  • C
    On the beach
  • D
    In kelp forests

Question 8

The oldest recorded land animal was a tortoise named Adwaita, approximately how old was Adwaita when he died?

  • A
    200 years old
  • B
    250 years old
  • C
    125 years old
  • D
    100 years old

Question 9

Approximately how many known species of reptiles are there?

  • A
    10,400
  • B
    5,400
  • C
    1,400
  • D
    540

Question 10

Nearly all reptiles have this many chambers in their hearts.

  • A
    2
  • B
    3
  • C
    4
  • D
    1

Question 11

Some vipers, pythons and boas have a special organ just under their nostrils that makes them better hunters. What is this organ used to detect?

  • A
    Magnetic fields
  • B
    Movement of the air
  • C
    X-rays (to see through objects)
  • D
    Thermal radiation (heat)

Question 12

While crocodiles usually eat 50 or more full meals each year they can survive a surprisingly longtime without eating. What is the approximate maximum time a crocodile can survive without eating?

  • A
    1 month
  • B
    6 months
  • C
    Over a year
  • D
    Two weeks

Question 13

While there are not a lot of reptiles that migrate, there is one that migrated 12,774 miles over 647 days! What reptile is it that holds this record for the longest reptile migration?

  • A
    Giant tortoise
  • B
    Alligator
  • C
    Leatherback Turtle
  • D
    Water Moccasin (snake)

Question 14

What is the primary purpose for a snake having a forked tongue?

  • A
    For intimidation
  • B
    To act like a radio antenna, spreading wide to detect infrared waves in the air
  • C
    To blind two-eyed prey when attacking
  • D
    To detect chemicals in the air from two points providing "depth perception"

Question 15

What is the oldest and most prehistoric reptile alive today?

  • A
    Caiman
  • B
    Gila Monster
  • C
    Tuatara
  • D
    Brown Basilisk

Question 16

Excluding hibernation, about how long can a turtle stay under water without breathing (usually while sleeping)?

  • A
    1 hour
  • B
    7 hours
  • C
    30 minutes
  • D
    12 hours

Question 17

What are reptile scales made of?

  • A
    Cartilage
  • B
    Callous Skin
  • C
    Bone
  • D
    Keratin

Question 18

Which of the following is the fastest moving reptile on land, reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour?

  • A
    Black Mamba (Snake)
  • B
    Iguana
  • C
    Alligator
  • D
    Gecko

Question 19

Humans have a maximum bite strength of 120 pounds (PSI). The bite strength of salt water crocodiles was physically measured in 2012, what was the strongest bite strength measured?

  • A
    370,000 PSI
  • B
    3,700 PSI
  • C
    37,000 PSI
  • D
    370 PSI

Question 20

The common basilisk, nicknamed the Jesus Christ lizard, has the ability to run on water for distances up to twenty meters. Combined with fast moving legs, which of the following best explains how this is possible?

  • A
    Negative buoyancy
  • B
    Cold temperatures make the surface act like a solid
  • C
    Trapped air pockets under the feet
  • D
    Its arms act like wings

Comments (4)

We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.

Loved how it actually graded you. As if I need one more person telling me "you need to study more"

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I need to study more

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to easy

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Too many difficult questions that most people would have to guess at.

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