Identify the organism that possesses a body covered by dry and cornified skin with epidermal scales or scutes.

Step-by-step solution

The presence of a body covered by dry and cornified skin with epidermal scales or scutes is a characteristic feature of the class Reptilia. Ichthyophis is an amphibian and lacks dry, cornified skin. Aptenodytes (penguin) belongs to the class Aves, which has skin covered with feathers. Calotes (garden lizard) belongs to the class Reptilia and possesses dry and cornified skin with epidermal scales or scutes. Pteropus (flying fox) is a mammal and has skin covered with hair. Answer: Calotes