Reptiles in design: Snakes on Skins

Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia, are air-breathing, cold-blooded vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers. They are tetrapods (having or having descended from vertebrates with four limbs) and amniotes, whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane. Modern reptiles inhabit every continent with the exception of Antarctica, and four living orders are currently recognized:

Crocodilia (crocodiles, gavials, caimans, and alligators): 23 species
Sphenodontia (tuatara from New Zealand): 2 species
Squamata (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenids (“worm-lizards”): approximately 7,900 species
Testudines (turtles, tortoises, and terrapins): approximately 300 species

The majority of reptile species are oviparous (egg-laying) although certain species of squamates are capable of giving live birth. This is achieved, either through ovoviviparity (egg retention), or viviparity (offspring born without use of calcified eggs). Many of the viviparous species feed their fetuses through various forms of placenta analogous to those of mammals with some providing initial care for their hatchlings. Extant reptiles range in size from a tiny gecko, Sphaerodactylus ariasae, that grows to only 1.6 cm (0.6 in), to the saltwater crocodile that may reach 6 m in length and weigh over 1,000 kg. The science dealing with reptiles is called herpetology.

In the world of art and Tattoo, a reptile has many symbol and meaning….so many that we cannot include it in this list. I’ll just site an example. A snake trying to swaloow itself starting from its tail means or symbolizes eternity. Actually it’s called ouroboros and it doesn’t look like a snake to me but it is a snake.

Here are the other designs of reptile tattoo that you might like. Feel free to browse and choose among the most feared reptiles to be inked in your skin.