Most of the animals with scales are reptiles and fish. Animals need scales because if they did not they would be very vulnerable: the scales act as armor to protect them.
All reptiles and fish have scales. Reptile scales develop from the skin. They are composed of keratin, the same element of which the nails of humans are composed; in the case of reptiles, this keratin is much thicker than that of the nails.
As reptiles grow, their scales also do. They need to get rid of the scales so they can grow new ones. These thick and hard scales are useful when fighting their predators.
On the other hand, the fish scales are quite viscous. This kind of lubrication allows fluid movement when moving in the water. Additionally, it is difficult for the parasites to create a home in such viscous scales.
Scales regulate the temperature in animals; are common in cold-blooded animals. Compared with the skin, flakes absorb and dissipate heat more quickly. Scales are also useful for camouflaging animals.
The 12 animals with scales more interesting
1- Crocodiles
Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, America and Australia.
Although all crocodiles are semi-aquatic and tend to congregate in waters such as rivers, lakes and wetlands, the size, morphology, behavior and ecology of crocodiles differ according to their species.
All crocodiles are carnivorous, feeding mainly on vertebrates such as fish, mammals, reptiles and birds. All crocodiles are tropic species that are sensitive to cold. Many species are on the verge of extinction.
2- Rutilos
It is a freshwater fish native to most of Europe and western Asia.
It is a small fish, with a body of silver blue color with a white stomach. His fins are red. The number of flakes in its natural line is 39 to 48.
The ruffles can be recognized by the large red mark on the iris, above and next to the pupil.
3- Sharks
Cartilaginous fish, such as the shark, are covered with placfoid scales. The placoid scales of these fish are structurally homologous with the vertebrate teeth.
The shark is a fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, it has 5 to 7 gills on the sides of the head and pectoral fins that are not attached to its head. Sharks are a sister group of stripes.
There are more than 500 species. It has a wide range in size: the species measure from 17 centimeters up to 12 meters in length. Sharks can be found in all oceans and many of them are at the top of the food chain.
3- Tuátaras
Endemic reptiles from New Zealand. Although they resemble most lizards, they are of a different lineage.
This species is of great interest in the study of the evolution of lizards and snakes, by reconstructing the appearance and habits of ancient diapsids (a group that included dinosaurs, birds and crocodiles).
They are greenish brown and gray, measure up to 80 centimeters and have a spiny ridge along their back. They are able to hear, although they do not have an outer ear, and have a number of unique features in their skeleton, which they apparently retained from the fish in their evolution.
4- Strips (batoideas)
It is a suborder of cartilaginous fish. Its closest relatives are sharks. They have more than 600 species in 26 families.
They are distinguished by their flat bodies, elongated pectoral fins that are fused with their head, and gills on their ventral surfaces.
5- Snakes
They are elongated carnivorous reptiles without legs. They have the ability to swallow prey much larger than their heads thanks to their movable jaws. Snakes can be found on all continents except Antarctica.
More than 3,600 species are recognized; many species are not poisonous, but those that if they have poison use it to kill their prey.
6- Geckolepis
They are a type of gecko endemic to Madagascar and the Commodore Islands.
They are nocturnal, arboreal and insectivorous reptiles known for their ability to lose their skin and scales when caught by a predator.
7- Folidotos
They are mammals with protective keratin scales that cover their skin; are the only mammal species with this characteristic. Depending on their species they vary in size, they live on trees and their diet consists of ants and termites.
They live in parts of Asia and Africa. All species are in danger of extinction.
8-Alligators
It is a crocodile of the genus alligator . There are two living species: American and Chinese. It is distinguished from crocodiles since its snout is shorter and square, in addition to that its mouth closes completely.
They are usually less violent than crocodiles.
9- Steller's Sparrow
It is a giant bird that lives in Asia. It is the heaviest eagle in the world.
The scales of birds are composed of keratin. They are mostly found on their paws and in the lower part of their legs.
The scales were believed to be homologous to those of reptiles; however, the scales in the birds evolved separately.
10- Monitor lizard
They are large lizards native to Africa, Asia and Oceania. There are a total of 79 species.
These scaly lizards have long necks, powerful tails, claws, and well-developed limbs.
Most are carnivorous, but some eat fruits and vegetables. The most recognized species is the Komodo dragon.
11- Iguanas
They are herbivorous lizards native to the tropical areas of America and the Caribbean. They range from 1.5 to 1.8 meters long. Iguanas have a row of thorns running down their backs to their tail, and a double chin.
Behind his neck are small scales that look like rays; These scales have a variety of colors. They also have large round scales on their cheeks.
12- Pineapple fish
Its round bodies are completely covered with strong and large scales, fortified with prominent edges. Generally they are yellow or orange, with the scales being bordered of black color.
Its distribution is limited to the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo Pacific.
References
- Pinecone fishes. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Iguana. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Shark. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Rays. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Animal body coverings: scales. Retrieved from animalcovering.blogspot
- Geckolepis. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Why do some animals have scales? Recovered from kinooze.com
- Common roach. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Tuatara. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Snake. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Bird anatomy. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Feathers, fins, fur, scales and skin. Retrieved from learnnc.org
- Steller's sea eagle. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Alligator. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Crocodile. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- Pangolin. Retrieved from wikipedia.org
- What are some animals with scales, other than fish? Recovered from quora.com
- Monitor lizard. Retrieved from wikipedia.org