ABSTRACT 

Reptiles and indeed any animal group live in isolation They must interact with other anixn&ls within an ecosystem during their time. A very important aspect of this interaction involves Competitor may be for food, shelter or mates. There is also Competition among various reptiles to avoid being eaten by their predators since all the reptiles are at least potential food for other animals0 Species of the reptiles may also interact directly by predation. Krebs (1979) defined predators as members of one specie which eat those of another specie. Apart from successful reproduction and sufficient food supply, Edmund (l97L) holds that one other requirement which an animal must satisfy so as to survive is to avoid being eaten by their predators. The most conspicous anti-predator defenses are those of the physical weapons which in reptiles consist of teeth, Colour, claws and spines. Edmund (19Th) went on to define defensive meohanism as any adaptation which reduces the chnnces of success of an attack by another animal. These defensive mechanisms are usually directed at different predators of the eggs, yoimgs or even other retiles of the same specie which in the latter case constitutes 7intraspecific defence". This mechanism may also be directed against parasites. Internal parasites may be encountered by a varioty of forei body reactions which include production of antibodies (Chandle4 and Read9 1981). The main Coinpoiierxt of defensive systems in rpbiles are categorid as rrimary and secondary. Iobinson (1969a) and Kruik (1972)Ld.efined Lbo priiary defence as indirect defence which operates regardless of whether or not there is a predator in the vicinity while Seconth'ry defence o2erites when a prey animal encounters a predator and it has the function of increasing the prey individual's chances of survival during the encounter.