It's unbelievable how many times I've heard versions of this sentiment. Yes, most are carnivores, but reptiles are key role players in balancing nature. Many eat what we consider vermin, rodents and insects. There are approximately 7,000 reptiles found in the world, and all have several things in common.
All reptiles have backbones and bodies covered with dry scales.
All reptiles grow throughout their lives and are ectothermic, or dependent on external heat for regulating body temperature. Most reptiles lay tough shelled eggs in pits dug in the soil, and do not nurture their young. Chelonia contains 230 species of turtles, tortoises and terrapins. Even though we commonly call all shelled reptiles turtles, turtles are actually aquatic reptiles with shells, tortoises are land reptiles with shells, and terrapins are shelled reptiles that live both on land and in water. The chelonian shell is made of modified scales and bones with the spine and most of the ribs connected to it.