Scaled Reptiles: Order Squamata

This is the Order of the Scaled Reptiles and includes the suborders of Lizards, Snakes and Worm Lizards.

Members of this order are noted for their skins which have shield-like horny scales.  They also have quadrate bones that move which allows them to move the upper jaw relativ to the skull.

Classification

The order Squamata is divided into two seperate suborders - Sauria (lizards) and Serpentes (snakes). There are about 6500 to 7000 species in the order.