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Some reptiles are strong swimmers. Crocodiles zoom through the water by thrashing their strong tails from side to side. Tortoises are slow on land, but sea turtles are fast swimmers. They flap their front flippers up and down underwater, like birds flap their wings in the air.

The basilisk lizard can run across the surface of a pool to escape from its enemies. Sheer speed keeps it afloat, and its long tail helps it keep its balance. 7

No reptile can fly, but lizards called flying dragons can glide through the air by spreading flaps of loose skin on their sides. The flaps act like a parachute, so the reptile can glide down from the treetops to the ground.

A tree snake slithers among the leaves and branches of a tree. 7

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