Question

Discuss the ecological and behavioural factors that prohibit reptiles from migrating vast distances

Answer 1

Reptiles are ectothermic: their body temperature depends on the environment. The preferred optimal body temperature range or POTR is the temperature range in which the organ systems function most efficiently. On either side of the POTR is a narrow range of tolerable temperatures but temperatures beyond these will lead to stress and disease.

Seasonal movements between foraging, breeding, and overwintering sites occur in a wide variety of reptile species. Terrestrial snakes, lizards, and turtles migrate short distances (\20 km) between seasonal habitats, whereas fully aquatic marine turtles migrate hundreds to thousands of kilometers between foraging and breeding areas.