2007-12-31 07:12:23 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Yes.
according to the Encyclopedia Britannica CD:
The significant difference between growth in reptiles and that in mammals is that a reptile has the potential of growing throughout its life, whereas a mammal reaches a terminal size and grows no more, even though it may subsequently live many years in ideal conditions
2008-01-01 06:01:01 · answer #1 · answered by a Real Truthseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, though the growth rate slows as they get older. This is why the largest specimens of a reptile species are likely to be the oldest. This may have something to do with their cold-blooded metabolism - in warm-blooded creatures like mammals, 70% of energy from food goes to maintaining internal body temperature. In reptiles, 70% of energy goes to growth, since they do not need to maintain their body temperatures internally.
2008-01-01 06:55:08 · answer #2 · answered by The Wise Wolf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's called indeterminate growth and that's why big tortoises, sea turtles, crocodilians, snakes and lizards are often very old. Probably the tuatara too, but I'm not that sure.
2007-12-31 11:03:45 · answer #3 · answered by JayBug 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing grows after it dies - death is when everything stops working.
2007-12-31 09:45:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reptiles grow just like other animals. They won't keep growing constantly and forever, but almost all organisms continue to grow for a little while even after they have died.
2007-12-31 07:41:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋