What defining feature must reptiles in Class Reptilia exhibit, which includes the Western Green Mamba?
Answer
Breathing atmospheric air using lungs
The Class Reptilia groups together vertebrates defined by several key adaptations suited for terrestrial life, most notably the method of respiration. Members, including *Dendroaspis viridis*, are characterized by breathing air using lungs. Furthermore, they possess scales or scutes that aid in protection and minimizing water loss (desiccation), and they typically reproduce by laying amniotic eggs, although some species, like snakes, have evolved to exhibit live birth.

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