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Reptiles

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What is the Difference Between a Reptile and an Amphibian?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 205,855
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Reptiles and amphibians are similar in many ways, and they are in fact distantly related, but there are several primary distinguishing features that clearly separate the two. There are a number of typical physical differences between the two types of animals, they often live in different environments, and they have different life stages. The animals' relationship with water is at the heart of many of these characteristics. At the most basic level, amphibians must spend at least some of their time in water, whereas reptiles do not have this requirement.

The Role of Water

It is true that many reptiles live in the vicinity of water, and some, such as alligators, strongly prefer a watery habitat, but this is not strictly essential for them to stay alive. Some, including certain lizards and snakes, are ideally suited to dry environments such as deserts, and rarely encounter moist areas. By contrast, many amphibians must remain moist in order to breathe; although they do have lungs, they also take in oxygen through their skin. This thin skin means that they lose moisture easily as well, and some will even die if their skin dries out completely.

Life Cycles

When reptile eggs hatch, the young look like miniature adults. As the young grow up, they will mature into scaly animals with fully developed lungs and dry skins.

An amphibian initially emerges from an egg in the form of an aquatic larva, like a tadpole, that breathes through gills. Tadpoles and other larvae cannot survive out of water, and as they grow and mature, they get bigger, grow limbs, and may lose their tails. Ultimately, most species develop lungs and turn into adults that spend much of their lives in and around the water. This means that amphibians will always spend the first part of their lives completely submerged in water, and essentially living like fish; indeed the word is Greek for "two lives," referring to dual staged life cycle that most amphibians go through.

Physical Characteristics

Although both species are cold blooded, meaning that that their body temperatures fluctuate depending on their environment, the two are very different in appearance and physical makeup. Reptiles are covered in distinctive scales, and some may even have a rough texture. This is not true of amphibians, which typically have smooth, moist skin.

Reptiles also have more diverse body types than amphibians. They may or may not have limbs, and can range in size from very small to substantially larger and heavier than humans. Most adult amphibians have four limbs, and while their size varies, very few grow larger than a man’s arm. A rare exception, the Chinese giant salamander, occasionally grows as long as 6 feet (1.5 m.)

Eggs and Mating Habits

The vast majority of both types of animals lay eggs, but they are quite different in both quality and quantity. Amphibians lay large numbers — sometimes as many as hundreds or thousands at a time — of soft eggs that don't have an external membrane. They are usually attached to the stems of aquatic plants. The eggs of a reptile typically have hard leathery shells designed to protect the young inside from predators, and are often laid only a few dozen at a time at most in buried, insulated nests. It should be noted that a handful of reptile and amphibian species do not lay eggs, but have live birth.

Reptiles typically use internal mating mechanisms that are somewhat similar to those used by mammals. Amphibians usually mate externally, meaning that the female first lays her eggs in a large clutch, and the male then fertilizes them where they lay. Numerous rituals are specific to each individual species, but do not necessarily help distinguish a reptile from an amphibian.

Touch and Observation

Because of their major physical differences, handling or closely observing the animal in question is often enough to determine whether it is a reptile or an amphibian. Reptiles usually feel dry and scaly, and some species have very smooth skins while others have knobbles and horns. An amphibian will typically feel moist and sometimes rather sticky. Even from a photograph, the scales of a reptile should be clearly distinguishable, while amphibians have skin that usually looks slightly shiny, although depending on the species, the skin may be dull and without luster.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All Things Nature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon998325 — On May 15, 2017

reptiles vs amphibians: scales vs no scales. Eggs have shells vs eggs don't have shells. Don't need water to survive (besides drinking) vs needs to have a body of water to soak in. Breathe through mouth/nose vs breathe through skin.

Note that some reptiles/amphibians give live birth, but the platypus is an egg-laying mammal, so don't freak over getting everything to match.

By redeyed — On Apr 24, 2012

I think that if you keep a keep a pet at your home then it is necessary that proper care should be taken of that pet.There are various sites that provide information about your pet's habitat, food etc.

By anon213098 — On Sep 09, 2011

One of these things don't belong and I can't figure it out and why: frog, turtle, lizard, alligator. Help, please.

By anon158963 — On Mar 09, 2011

@anon27381 crocodiles are reptiles. they're born on land, have scales and have eggs with hard shells.

By anon116583 — On Oct 07, 2010

Thanks a lot. it helped me in my studies. But can you tell more differences between amphibians and reptiles?

By anon105706 — On Aug 22, 2010

i was wondering about that, but i believe reptiles have hard scales and amphibians have soft, moist skin.

By anon77683 — On Apr 15, 2010

Thanks, this helped me lot. but I need similarities more.

By anon77221 — On Apr 13, 2010

Now the things really help. I got no checks on worksheet.

By anon65632 — On Feb 15, 2010

I need help with homework. does anyone know if a crocodile is an amphibian?

By anon65088 — On Feb 11, 2010

what types of reptiles would you find in an aquarium? Please help me. thanks

By anon60188 — On Jan 12, 2010

this has really helped with my homework. thanks a bunch, pal!

By anon58671 — On Jan 03, 2010

This was very helpful for the project I am doing. Thanks!

By anon55942 — On Dec 10, 2009

@ Nicolagi: Toads are amphibians. Amphibians lay eggs, as do reptiles, but the distinguishing thing is the Kingdom, Phylum, Class, and Order. They are the same. In reptiles, it changes from amphibian's order, I believe. Hope this helps! Good question.

By anon49636 — On Oct 21, 2009

We have pet frogs in our class and are wondering what we should feed them besides crickets/any bug in general.

Thanks!

By anon45110 — On Sep 13, 2009

can you keep toads as pets?

By anon45109 — On Sep 13, 2009

i used to have a pet frog but it died. what should i do next time?

By anon43722 — On Sep 01, 2009

i don't know anything about differentiating amphibians and reptiles. Please help me.

By anon27381 — On Feb 27, 2009

why do toads give people warts?

By fatdude — On Jan 02, 2009

why do toads have warts?

By Nicolagi — On Nov 05, 2008

Hey, umm i don't have a pet one or anything, but i was just wondering:

Is a toad an amphibian or a reptile? and are there any distinguishing features (i.e. bones in them or habitat)?

because someone told me that they are reptiles because they lay eggs, but i though they laid eggs like frogspawn (toadspawn??). so please help me! thanks.

By Eee — On Oct 06, 2007

I was wondering which frogs fall into the category of small meaning no larger then 2” in length. And if I have two different types of frogs as long as they are the same size is that OK to put in the same tank?

By Eee — On Oct 06, 2007

I have a 55 gallon tank with an expanded screen top on the land side of the tank. Half of the tank is land and half is water. I would like to know if it’s OK to mix African dwarf frogs with red eye tree frogs or with tree frogs in general or at all. I have a lot of experience with the African dwarf frogs but not tree frogs.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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