
Despite birds and reptiles looking different… they are actually a monophyletic group and share many features. Crocodiles are more closely related to birds than to other reptile groups!
There are so many fascinating facts about these species…
· They don’t have oxytocin, they have vasotocin and mesotocin.
· They don’t have neutrophils, they have heterophils.
· Their red blood cells and platelets are nucleated (which can really confuse haematology analysers…).
· They don’t have a diaphragm, and hypoventilate or are completely apnoeic under general anaesthesia. This is why a ventilator is routinely used in these species for general anaesthesia. Respiratory systems of birds and reptiles differ significantly to mammals, down to the microscopic level.