Herpetology – Study of Reptiles and Amphibians MCQs
Part 1 — Herpetology MCQs (Q1–Q25)
Q1. The branch of zoology that studies amphibians and reptiles is called:
A. Ichthyology
• Study of fishes.
B. Ornithology
• Study of birds.
C. Herpetology ✅
• Deals with amphibians (frogs, salamanders) and reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles).
D. Entomology
• Study of insects.
Q2. Amphibians belong to which vertebrate class?
A. Reptilia
• Includes snakes, lizards, turtles.
B. Mammalia
• Warm-blooded vertebrates.
C. Amphibia ✅
• Frogs, toads, salamanders.
D. Aves
• Birds.
Q3. Reptiles are characterized by which type of eggs?
A. External fertilization eggs
• Amphibians.
B. Soft, jelly-like eggs
• Amphibians.
C. Amniotic eggs with leathery or calcareous shells ✅
• Adaptation for terrestrial life.
D. Water-dependent eggs only
• Not reptiles.
Q4. Amphibians are considered transitional animals because:
A. They have feathers and scales
• False.
B. They live both in water (larvae) and on land (adults) ✅
• Dual life (amphi = both, bios = life).
C. They are warm-blooded
• They are cold-blooded.
D. They lay hard-shelled eggs
• Amphibian eggs are jelly-like.
Q5. Frogs respire mainly by:
A. Lungs only
• Not true, especially in water.
B. Gills only
• Tadpoles have gills.
C. Lungs + skin (cutaneous respiration) ✅
• Both mechanisms function in adults.
D. Tracheae
• Absent in amphibians.
Q6. Which reptile is known as a “living fossil”?
A. Crocodile
• Ancient but not living fossil.
B. Tuatara (Sphenodon) ✅
• Only surviving member of order Rhynchocephalia.
C. Komodo dragon
• Large lizard, not living fossil.
D. Python
• Not living fossil.
Q7. The heart of amphibians typically has:
A. Two chambers
• Found in fishes.
B. Three chambers (2 atria + 1 ventricle) ✅
• Partial separation of blood.
C. Four chambers always
• Seen in mammals and birds.
D. Five chambers
• Not found.
Q8. The heart of crocodiles has:
A. 2 chambers
• Not true.
B. 3 chambers
• Amphibians.
C. 4 chambers ✅
• Unique among reptiles, allows complete separation.
D. 5 chambers
• Not in vertebrates.
Q9. The Jacobson’s organ in snakes is used for:
A. Hearing
• Snakes lack external ears.
B. Chemoreception (smell/taste detection) ✅
• Detects chemical cues from environment via tongue flicking.
C. Balance
• Inner ear does that.
D. Producing venom
• Venom glands do.
Q10. The largest living lizard is:
A. Iguana
• Medium-sized.
B. Gecko
• Small.
C. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) ✅
• Up to 3 meters, found in Indonesia.
D. Monitor lizard (general)
• Group, not one species.
Q11. Amphibian eggs must be laid in water because:
A. They have shells
• False.
B. They lack a protective shell and dry out easily ✅
• Require moist environment.
C. They are very heavy
• Not true.
D. They require predators
• False.
Q12. Which order includes frogs and toads?
A. Urodela
• Salamanders.
B. Anura ✅
• Tail-less amphibians.
C. Apoda
• Caecilians (limbless).
D. Squamata
• Snakes/lizards.
Q13. Which order includes salamanders and newts?
A. Urodela (Caudata) ✅
• Amphibians with tails.
B. Anura
• Frogs, toads.
C. Apoda
• Caecilians.
D. Squamata
• Reptiles.
Q14. Limbless amphibians like caecilians belong to:
A. Anura
• Frogs, toads.
B. Urodela
• Salamanders.
C. Apoda (Gymnophiona) ✅
• Worm-like burrowing amphibians.
D. Squamata
• Snakes, lizards.
Q15. Reptiles breathe using:
A. Skin
• Amphibians.
B. Gills
• Only in larvae of amphibians.
C. Lungs ✅
• Well-developed in reptiles.
D. Tracheal gills
• In insects.
Q16. Which reptile group is characterized by a shell?
A. Lizards
• No shells.
B. Snakes
• No shells.
C. Turtles and tortoises (Order Testudines) ✅
• Shell formed by carapace + plastron.
D. Crocodiles
• No shells.
Q17. Amphibians are ectothermic, meaning:
A. They maintain constant body temperature
• Endothermy.
B. Their body temperature varies with the environment ✅
• Cold-blooded.
C. They produce metabolic heat like mammals
• False.
D. They live only in cold regions
• Not true.
Q18. The skin of amphibians is:
A. Covered in scales
• Reptiles.
B. Moist, glandular, and permeable ✅
• Used for cutaneous respiration.
C. Feather-covered
• Birds.
D. Keratinized with hair
• Mammals.
Q19. Poison glands in toads are called:
A. Mucous glands
• Secrete mucus.
B. Parotoid glands ✅
• Behind eyes, secrete toxins for defense.
C. Sweat glands
• Absent in amphibians.
D. Salivary glands
• Not poison glands.
Q20. Snakes hear vibrations through:
A. External ears
• Absent.
B. Tympanic membrane
• Absent in snakes.
C. Lower jaw bones connected to inner ear ✅
• Detect ground vibrations.
D. Nose
• For smell, not sound.
Q21. Venomous snakes kill prey mainly by:
A. Constriction
• Used by boas, pythons (non-venomous).
B. Injecting toxins via fangs ✅
• Venom affects nervous system or blood.
C. Strangulation
• Not venomous method.
D. Digesting outside body
• Not true.
Q22. The reptilian skull with two temporal openings is called:
A. Anapsid
• No temporal fenestra.
B. Diapsid ✅
• Found in most reptiles (lizards, snakes, crocodiles).
C. Synapsid
• Mammalian lineage.
D. Euryapsid
• Marine reptiles.
Q23. The longest snake in the world is:
A. Anaconda
• Heaviest, not longest.
B. Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) ✅
• Can reach over 9 m.
C. King cobra
• Longest venomous snake, not longest overall.
D. Boa constrictor
• Shorter.
Q24. The largest venomous snake is:
A. Python
• Non-venomous.
B. Anaconda
• Non-venomous.
C. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) ✅
• Up to 5.5 m.
D. Viper
• Smaller.
Q25. Which reptile has a 4-chambered heart?
A. Lizards
• 3 chambers.
B. Snakes
• 3 chambers.
C. Turtles
• 3 chambers.
D. Crocodiles ✅
• Only reptiles with completely divided heart.
Part 2 — Herpetology MCQs (Q26–Q50)
Q26. Which order of reptiles includes lizards and snakes?
A. Testudines
• Turtles and tortoises.
B. Crocodylia
• Crocodiles, alligators.
C. Squamata ✅
• Largest reptile order, includes lizards and snakes.
D. Rhynchocephalia
• Tuatara only.
Q27. Crocodiles differ from alligators by:
A. Being herbivorous
• Both are carnivorous.
B. Having V-shaped snouts and visible upper teeth when mouth is closed ✅
• Alligators have U-shaped snouts, teeth hidden.
C. Living only in saltwater
• Both can live in freshwater.
D. Having three-chambered hearts
• Both have 4-chambered.
Q28. The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is found only in:
A. Australia
• Not correct.
B. Africa
• Not found here.
C. New Zealand ✅
• Endemic, rare “living fossil.”
D. South America
• Not true.
Q29. Which reptile shows parental care by guarding eggs and young?
A. Snakes
• Mostly abandon eggs.
B. Lizards
• Limited care.
C. Crocodiles ✅
• Guard nests and carry hatchlings to water.
D. Turtles
• Lay eggs and leave.
Q30. Amphibians are good ecological indicators because:
A. They are top predators
• Not all.
B. They have permeable skin sensitive to environmental changes ✅
• Pollution, climate change easily affect them.
C. They live only on land
• False.
D. They lack predators
• Many predators exist.
Q31. Which adaptation allows frogs to jump effectively?
A. Short hindlimbs
• Not suited for jumping.
B. Long, muscular hindlimbs with fused bones ✅
• Provide strong thrust for leaping.
C. Webbed forelimbs
• For swimming, not jumping.
D. Absence of tail
• Does not directly enable jumping.
Q32. Which amphibian can regenerate limbs?
A. Frog
• Limited regeneration.
B. Salamander (axolotl, newts) ✅
• Remarkable regenerative ability.
C. Toad
• Cannot regenerate much.
D. Caecilian
• No known regeneration.
Q33. Which adaptation allows reptiles to live fully on land compared to amphibians?
A. Jelly-like eggs
• Amphibians.
B. Amniotic eggs with protective shells ✅
• Prevent desiccation.
C. Gilled larvae
• Only amphibians.
D. Cutaneous respiration
• Amphibians rely more on this.
Q34. Poisonous snakes in India include:
A. Python, rat snake, keelback
• Non-poisonous.
B. Cobra, krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper ✅
• The “Big Four” venomous snakes.
C. Blind snake
• Harmless.
D. Sand boa
• Harmless constrictor.
Q35. Venom of a cobra mainly affects:
A. Blood clotting
• Vipers cause hemotoxic effects.
B. Nervous system (neurotoxin) ✅
• Causes paralysis by blocking neurotransmission.
C. Muscle tissue digestion
• Not cobra venom.
D. Only skin irritation
• Not true.
Q36. Venom of vipers (e.g., Russell’s viper) is mainly:
A. Neurotoxic
• Cobra, krait.
B. Hemotoxic, affecting blood clotting and tissues ✅
• Leads to bleeding and necrosis.
C. Cytotoxic
• Secondary effect.
D. Harmless
• Wrong.
Q37. The world’s longest venomous snake is:
A. Viper
• Smaller.
B. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) ✅
• Can grow up to 5.5 m.
C. Krait
• Much smaller.
D. Rattlesnake
• Shorter.
Q38. Which feature differentiates venomous snakes from non-venomous snakes in India?
A. All have round pupils
• Not correct.
B. Presence of specialized fangs for venom injection ✅
• Major distinguishing feature.
C. Body size only
• Not reliable.
D. Skin color only
• Not reliable.
Q39. The forked tongue in snakes is used for:
A. Eating prey
• Not true.
B. Sensing chemical cues and direction ✅
• Works with Jacobson’s organ.
C. Producing sound
• No voice in snakes.
D. Venom injection
• Done by fangs.
Q40. The hood of a cobra is formed by:
A. Cartilage extension
• Not correct.
B. Elongated ribs behind the head that spread skin ✅
• Creates hood display.
C. Inflated air sacs
• Not correct.
D. Specialized scales
• Only part of hood.
Q41. Which amphibian is considered “tailless”?
A. Salamander
• Has tail.
B. Frog/Toad (Anura) ✅
• Adults lack tails.
C. Caecilian
• Worm-like, limbless.
D. Newt
• Has tail.
Q42. Frogs croak mainly to:
A. Digest food
• Not true.
B. Attract mates and establish territory ✅
• Males produce mating calls.
C. Escape predators
• Croak may startle, but not main.
D. Help respiration
• Not true.
Q43. Which frog secretes skin toxins used in poison darts?
A. Bullfrog
• Not toxic.
B. Poison dart frog (Dendrobatidae) ✅
• Brightly colored, potent skin toxins.
C. Tree frog
• Some toxins but weaker.
D. Leopard frog
• Not toxic.
Q44. Amphibians differ from reptiles mainly in:
A. Having scales
• Reptiles.
B. Amphibians need moist skin/water for reproduction; reptiles do not ✅
• Key difference in adaptation.
C. Having lungs
• Both groups.
D. Having vertebrae
• Both are vertebrates.
Q45. Which amphibian exhibits neoteny (retaining larval features in adulthood)?
A. Frog
• Completes metamorphosis.
B. Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) ✅
• Retains gills, aquatic life as adults.
C. Toad
• Completes metamorphosis.
D. Salamander (general)
• Some do, but axolotl is classic.
Q46. Which reptile shows temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD)?
A. Snakes only
• Not typical.
B. Turtles, crocodiles, some lizards ✅
• Incubation temperature influences hatchling sex.
C. Frogs
• Amphibians, no TSD.
D. Birds
• Genetic sex determination.
Q47. Which amphibian is used as a model for developmental biology?
A. Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog) ✅
• Widely used for embryology.
B. Axolotl
• Regeneration model.
C. Salamander
• Not as widely used.
D. Toad
• Some studies, not main.
Q48. Which snake is ovoviviparous (gives birth to live young from eggs inside mother)?
A. Python
• Oviparous.
B. Cobra
• Oviparous.
C. Viper ✅
• Eggs retained and hatched inside body.
D. Turtle
• Oviparous.
Q49. Which reptile is most closely related to birds?
A. Lizards
• Related but not closest.
B. Turtles
• More distant.
C. Crocodiles ✅
• Share common ancestor with birds (Archosauria).
D. Snakes
• Not closest.
Q50. Amphibians are declining globally mainly due to:
A. Overhunting only
• Not the only reason.
B. Habitat loss, climate change, chytrid fungus, pollution ✅
• Multiple combined threats.
C. Genetic mutation only
• Not main reason.
D. Lack of prey only
• Not main reason.
Part 3 — Herpetology MCQs (Q51–Q75)
Q51. The vertebral column of reptiles typically shows:
A. Only cervical and caudal vertebrae
• Too simplified.
B. Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal regions ✅
• Distinct regionalization for movement.
C. No sacrum
• Present in reptiles.
D. Completely fused vertebrae
• Seen in turtles, not all reptiles.
Q52. The ribs and vertebrae fused with a bony shell in turtles are called:
A. Sternum
• Not shell.
B. Carapace (dorsal) and plastron (ventral) ✅
• Unique reptilian adaptation.
C. Keel
• Found in birds.
D. Scutes
• External keratin covering.
Q53. Amphibians lack which structure in their ears?
A. Inner ear
• Present.
B. External ear opening ✅
• Frogs have tympanum (eardrum) but no pinna.
C. Middle ear bones
• One (columella auris) is present.
D. Sensory cells
• Present in inner ear.
Q54. The only middle ear bone in amphibians and reptiles is:
A. Malleus
• Mammals.
B. Incus
• Mammals.
C. Columella auris (stapes) ✅
• Transmits sound vibrations.
D. Hammer
• Synonym for mammalian malleus.
Q55. The transparent protective layer covering reptile eyes is called:
A. Eyelid
• Present, but not unique.
B. Nictitating membrane ✅
• Moves across eye for protection underwater.
C. Cornea
• Outer eye layer, but not movable.
D. Retina
• Light-sensitive, inside eye.
Q56. Amphibian skin contains:
A. Only keratin
• In reptiles.
B. Mucous glands (keep skin moist) and poison glands (defense) ✅
• Distinct glandular skin.
C. Sweat glands
• Absent in amphibians.
D. Feather follicles
• Birds, not amphibians.
Q57. Which adaptation enables desert reptiles to conserve water?
A. Sweating
• Absent.
B. Excreting uric acid instead of urea ✅
• Minimizes water loss.
C. Drinking large amounts daily
• Some survive without free water.
D. Moist skin
• Amphibians have moist skin.
Q58. The function of chromatophores in reptiles and amphibians is:
A. Fat storage
• Not true.
B. Color change and camouflage ✅
• Controlled by hormones and nerves.
C. Poison production
• Not chromatophores.
D. Reproduction
• Not direct.
Q59. The skin-shedding process in reptiles is called:
A. Molting
• Used for birds/insects.
B. Ecdysis ✅
• Entire skin shed, common in snakes.
C. Diapause
• Dormancy.
D. Regeneration
• New growth, not shedding.
Q60. Amphibians and reptiles are ectothermic, meaning:
A. Body temperature depends on environment ✅
• Cold-blooded.
B. Maintain constant temperature
• Endotherms.
C. Have fur for insulation
• Mammals.
D. Can only live in water
• Not always.
Q61. Which structure allows crocodiles to breathe while partly submerged?
A. Cloaca
• Not respiratory.
B. Nostrils at snout tip with valve mechanism ✅
• Permit breathing above water surface.
C. Tympanum
• For hearing.
D. Gills
• Absent in reptiles.
Q62. Amphibians perform cutaneous respiration best when:
A. Skin is dry
• Prevents gas exchange.
B. Skin is moist and vascularized ✅
• Gas exchange requires moisture.
C. Only during metamorphosis
• Occurs in adults too.
D. In air only
• Happens in water also.
Q63. Which amphibian is entirely lungless?
A. Frog
• Uses lungs + skin.
B. Plethodontid salamanders ✅
• Respire only through skin and mouth lining.
C. Caecilian
• Have lungs.
D. Axolotl
• Has gills + lungs.
Q64. In reptiles, the cloaca is divided into:
A. Two chambers
• Not correct.
B. Three chambers: coprodaeum, urodaeum, proctodaeum ✅
• Handles digestive, urinary, and reproductive outputs.
C. One undivided chamber
• Simpler in amphibians.
D. Five chambers
• Not true.
Q65. Crocodiles can stay submerged long due to:
A. High lung volume only
• Not main factor.
B. Ability to slow heart rate and divert blood flow (cardiac shunt) ✅
• Conserve oxygen underwater.
C. Gills
• Absent.
D. Cutaneous respiration
• Not effective in reptiles.
Q66. Which amphibian organ detects water vibrations?
A. Tympanum
• Airborne sounds.
B. Lateral line system (in aquatic larvae and some adults) ✅
• Like fishes, detects water movement.
C. Cloaca
• Not sensory.
D. Nostrils
• Smell, not vibration.
Q67. In reptiles, nitrogenous waste is mainly:
A. Ammonia
• Excreted by aquatic animals.
B. Urea
• Mammals.
C. Uric acid (semisolid paste) ✅
• Water-conserving adaptation.
D. Creatinine
• Minor product.
Q68. Amphibian metamorphosis is controlled by:
A. Insulin
• Not true.
B. Thyroid hormones (thyroxine) ✅
• Induce transformation from tadpole to adult.
C. Adrenaline
• Stress hormone.
D. Estrogen
• Reproduction, not metamorphosis.
Q69. Which reptile can change color rapidly for communication and camouflage?
A. Snake
• Cannot.
B. Chameleon ✅
• Specialized chromatophores and guanine crystals.
C. Gecko
• Limited color change.
D. Turtle
• No rapid change.
Q70. Which reptile shows autotomy (self-amputation of tail)?
A. Lizards ✅
• Tail breaks off to distract predators.
B. Snakes
• Do not autotomize.
C. Crocodiles
• No.
D. Turtles
• No.
Q71. Amphibian larvae (tadpoles) are usually:
A. Carnivorous
• Adults may be.
B. Herbivorous with gills ✅
• Feed on algae before metamorphosis.
C. Air-breathing immediately
• Later develop lungs.
D. Desert-dwelling
• Aquatic.
Q72. Which reptile is capable of parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction)?
A. Some whiptail lizards (Aspidoscelis) ✅
• Females produce offspring without males.
B. Crocodiles
• Not parthenogenetic.
C. Turtles
• Not known.
D. Snakes
• Rare, but lizards are classic.
Q73. The tympanum in frogs is used for:
A. Smelling
• Nose does that.
B. Hearing airborne sounds ✅
• Functions as external eardrum.
C. Respiration
• Not true.
D. Breathing underwater
• No.
Q74. Which structure prevents water entry into crocodile throat while feeding underwater?
A. Gills
• Not present.
B. Palatal valve (flap in throat) ✅
• Blocks water entry into respiratory tract.
C. Cloaca
• Not related.
D. Vocal sac
• Frogs have this.
Q75. The main thermoregulatory behavior of reptiles is:
A. Shivering
• Mammals.
B. Basking in the sun and seeking shade ✅
• Behavioral thermoregulation due to ectothermy.
C. Sweating
• Birds/mammals.
D. Feather fluffing
• Birds only.
Part 4 — Herpetology MCQs (Q76–Q100)
Q76. Amphibians evolved during which geological period?
A. Cretaceous
• Too recent.
B. Jurassic
• Dinosaurs dominated.
C. Devonian (“Age of Fishes”) ✅
• Amphibians arose from lobe-finned fishes.
D. Permian
• Amphibians already existed.
Q77. Reptiles first appeared in which era?
A. Paleozoic (Carboniferous) ✅
• Reptiles evolved from amphibians.
B. Mesozoic
• Age of reptiles, but not first appearance.
C. Cenozoic
• Mammals dominant.
D. Precambrian
• No reptiles then.
Q78. Which group of reptiles gave rise to birds?
A. Lepidosaurs
• Lizards, snakes.
B. Testudines
• Turtles.
C. Archosaurs (crocodiles + dinosaurs) ✅
• Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs.
D. Rhynchocephalians
• Tuatara, not ancestors.
Q79. Which amphibian is considered a “living fossil”?
A. Frog
• Modern.
B. Coelacanth is a fish, but among amphibians: Caecilians show ancient traits ✅
• Primitive Gymnophiona retain ancestral features.
C. Salamanders
• Modern group.
D. Newts
• Modern group.
Q80. The chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) affects amphibians by:
A. Damaging lungs
• Not true.
B. Attacking keratinized skin, disrupting respiration/osmoregulation ✅
• Major cause of global amphibian decline.
C. Destroying eggs
• Not main effect.
D. Targeting nervous system
• Incorrect.
Q81. Which international treaty protects endangered amphibians and reptiles from trade?
A. Ramsar Convention
• Protects wetlands.
B. Kyoto Protocol
• Climate change.
C. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) ✅
• Regulates trade of wildlife.
D. Montreal Protocol
• Ozone layer.
Q82. India’s National reptile is:
A. Cobra
• Not official.
B. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) ✅
• Declared national reptile of India.
C. Python
• Not national reptile.
D. Monitor lizard
• Not national reptile.
Q83. Which Indian amphibian is critically endangered?
A. Bullfrog
• Not endangered.
B. Purple frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) ✅
• Endemic to Western Ghats, burrowing species.
C. Toad
• Widespread.
D. Tree frog
• Not critically endangered.
Q84. Snake venom is being researched for:
A. Killing pests only
• Limited.
B. Medicines for hypertension, blood clotting, cancer ✅
• E.g., Captopril derived from viper venom.
C. Food supplements
• Not used.
D. Fertilizers
• Not true.
Q85. Which snake is called the “friend of farmers”?
A. Cobra
• Dangerous, though useful.
B. Rat snake ✅
• Non-venomous, controls rodent populations in fields.
C. Python
• Not common near farms.
D. Krait
• Venomous.
Q86. Which amphibian secretes skin peptides with antimicrobial properties?
A. Frogs (skin peptides like magainins) ✅
• Defense against pathogens.
B. Salamanders
• Not known for antimicrobial peptides.
C. Caecilians
• Not primary.
D. Crocodiles
• Reptiles, not amphibians.
Q87. Poisonous vs. venomous difference in herpetology is:
A. Same meaning
• Not correct.
B. Venomous = inject toxins (snakes), poisonous = toxins on skin (poison dart frogs) ✅
• Distinction based on delivery.
C. Venomous = always harmless
• False.
D. Poisonous = injected
• Wrong.
Q88. Which reptile uses vocalizations for communication, unlike most reptiles?
A. Lizards
• Limited.
B. Crocodiles ✅
• Growls, bellows, and maternal calls.
C. Snakes
• Hiss only.
D. Turtles
• Very weak sounds.
Q89. Which snake has a heat-sensing pit organ?
A. Cobra
• Lacks.
B. Pit vipers (e.g., rattlesnakes) ✅
• Detect infrared radiation from prey.
C. Krait
• No pit organ.
D. Python
• Have heat sensors, but different structure.
Q90. Which amphibian reproduces by carrying eggs on its back?
A. Frog (general)
• Lay externally.
B. Surinam toad (Pipa pipa) ✅
• Eggs embedded in mother’s back skin.
C. Salamander
• Not typical.
D. Axolotl
• Not brooders.
Q91. Which reptile uses tongue flicking for both smelling and tasting?
A. Turtle
• Not tongue flickers.
B. Snakes ✅
• Tongue collects particles, analyzed in Jacobson’s organ.
C. Crocodile
• Not used.
D. Tuatara
• No tongue flicking.
Q92. Which amphibian shows parental care by carrying young in vocal sacs?
A. Salamander
• Not true.
B. Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) ✅
• Males carry tadpoles in vocal sacs.
C. Tree frog
• Protect eggs but not in sacs.
D. Toad
• Not in sacs.
Q93. Which lizard can run on water?
A. Gecko
• Cannot.
B. Basilisk lizard (“Jesus Christ lizard”) ✅
• Uses rapid leg slaps to stay above surface.
C. Iguana
• Swimmer, not runner.
D. Monitor lizard
• Runs on land.
Q94. Which amphibians are paedomorphic (retain larval traits in adults)?
A. Frogs
• Complete metamorphosis.
B. Axolotl, mudpuppies ✅
• Retain gills into adulthood.
C. Toads
• Lose larval traits.
D. Salamanders (all)
• Only some.
Q95. Which venomous snake produces a dry bite (no venom injection) sometimes?
A. Python
• Non-venomous.
B. All venomous snakes occasionally ✅
• Conserves venom; dry bites occur naturally.
C. Only cobra
• Not only.
D. Only viper
• Not only.
Q96. Which reptile can breathe through cloaca during diving?
A. Crocodile
• Cannot.
B. Some freshwater turtles ✅
• Cloacal respiration through specialized sacs.
C. Snakes
• Not cloacal breathers.
D. Lizards
• Not cloacal breathers.
Q97. Which amphibian has direct development (no tadpole stage)?
A. Caecilians and some frogs (Eleutherodactylus) ✅
• Hatch as miniature adults.
B. Bullfrog
• Has tadpoles.
C. Salamander
• Usually with larval stage.
D. Toad
• Usually tadpoles.
Q98. Which snake species is the heaviest in the world?
A. Python
• Lighter than anaconda.
B. Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) ✅
• Up to 250 kg, South America.
C. King cobra
• Long but lighter.
D. Boa constrictor
• Smaller.
Q99. Which reptile is most threatened by illegal trade for shells?
A. Crocodile
• Hunted for skin, not shells.
B. Sea turtles ✅
• Hunted for shells (hawksbill turtle), eggs, meat.
C. Lizards
• Not for shells.
D. Snakes
• Not for shells.
Q100. The biggest global threat to herpetofauna (amphibians + reptiles) is:
A. Only hunting
• Not main factor.
B. Habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, disease ✅
• Multiple drivers of decline.
C. Pollution alone
• Only part of problem.
D. Evolutionary aging
• Not valid.
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