Amphibians are Reptiles that live a double life. They can live on land as well as in water. They have porous skin that needs moisture. Also, amphibians lay their eggs in the water, and their young have gills to survive in the water. They enter the ground when fully grown.
Reptiles, on the other hand, evolved to live fully on dry land. They are viviparous and breathe through the lungs. They help their bodies retain moisture and protect them from predators.
What is Amphibians?
Amphibians are classified as amphibians, both terrestrial and aquatic. In addition, it consists of three main structures – .
Characteristics of Amphibians
- Amphibians cannot regulate body temperature
- Existence of larval stage that starts after eggs are hatched
- They can live both inland and in water. Hence, amphibians can breathe both through gills and lungs.
What is Reptiles?
The word reptile originated from the Latin “repere”. It meant “to crawl,” which is a partial reference to reptiles. They belong to the reptilian group which are cold-blooded animals. Also, it has four layouts – .
Example – Crocodile, alligator
Difference Between Reptiles and Amphibians
| Amphibians | Reptiles |
| They live on land as well as in water. | They live usually on land. |
| Their larval stage is spent in water and adulthood on land. | Their larval and adult stages are spent on land. |
| They are oviparous. | They are oviparous as well as viviparous. |
| Fertilization is external. | Fertilization is internal. |
| They can breathe through gills as well as lungs. | They breathe through lungs. |
| The heart is three-chambered. | The heart is three-chambered but the ventricle is further divided through a septum. |
| They secrete toxins from their skin to protect themselves from predators. | The skin is protected by hard scales, and they also secrete toxin through teeth and nails. |
| Skin is smooth and highly porous. | Skin is dry, hard and scaly. |
| The webbed feet help them to swim. | They have limbs to facilitate running and swimming. |
| Their eggs are covered with gel. | Their eggs are covered with a hard protective covering. |
| They have restrictions to narrow bands of the colour spectrum. | They can visualize and distinguish between different colours. |
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