Reptiles are considered to occupy an evolutionary position between amphibians and the warm-blooded vertebrates.
There are about 6,000 species, most of them found in the tropics, although many types of reptiles live in the temperate zones. In North America, no reptile lives north of the 60th parallel, which marks the boundary between Canada proper and its Northwest Territory.
Reptiles have scales rather than hair or feathers, they breathe air, and in general they lay hard-shelled eggs, although in some species the eggs develop within the female and the young are born live after hatching out internally.
The major types of living reptiles are alligators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and turtles. Of course, the extinct dinosaurs were also reptiles.
Although a few reptiles are eaten in some areas, they're generally not important to humans as food. The giant Galapagos tortoise, however, nearly became extinct because it was such a popular food among sailors in the 19th century.
Many leather articles, such belts, gloves, handbag, luggage, and shoes, have been made from the skin of various reptiles, leading to the severe depletion of many species.