15 Difference Between Amphibian And Reptile (With Examples & Pictures)

The word ‘’ amphibia’’ means “double life” which therefore refers to ability to live both in water and on land. In this regard, amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates that don’t have scales and can live in a wide variety of habitats, which include terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal or freshwater. Most species of amphibian have hind legs larger and stronger than the front ones for effective locomotion in water.

Examples include:

• Frogs
• Toads
• Salamanders
• Newts
• Caecilians (blindworms)
• Mudpuppies

The word reptile comes from the Latin word “repere’’ which means “to crawl” which is indeed one of the features of reptiles. In this regard, reptiles are cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates covered in special skin made up of scales, bony plates or modified scales. Most reptiles live on land and reproduce by laying eggs.

Examples of reptiles include:

• Snakes
• Lizards
• Turtles
• Crocodiles
• Tortoise
• Chameleon
• Tuatara
• Gecko
• Skink

Facts About Reptiles

• Reptiles are thought to have evolved about 315 million years ago.
• Reptiles belong to class Reptilia.
• In reptiles, all breathing is via lungs; however there are some aquatic reptiles such as turtles have the ability to do a limited exchange of gases underwater especially during cold seasons.
• Most reptiles live on land but some species like turtles, crocodiles and alligators can thrive under water.
• Reptiles on the other hand, defend themselves with claws, whipping tails, poisonous venom and bites.
• Reptiles on the other hand, do not undergo any type of transformation, they are exactly the same in appearance when they are young and when they are adults. The only change they undergo is size which a natural characteristic.
• Reptiles have three-chambered hearts but the ventricle is divided by a partial septum.
• The mode of reproduction in reptiles can be described as Oviparity because embryos found inside eggs develop and eventually hatch outside the mother’s body. However, there are also some species of reptiles that exhibit a mode of reproduction known as Viviparity whereby embryos develop inside the mother’s body. Reptiles are bone on the land.
• Reptiles have a dry, scaly skin made up of a protein known as keratin. The exposed parts are covered by bony plates.
• Reptiles usually have four equally sized limbs whereas there are some species like snakes that do have none.
• The main nitrogenous waste of reptiles is uric acid.
• Eggs of most reptiles are described as ‘’amniotic eggs” because they the embryo is contained in a hard and leathery protective shells. The eggs are laid on land and kept in warm places until hatched.
• Most reptiles on the other hand have multiple vertebras in the neck which allow head articulation. Reptiles also have twelve pairs of cranial nerves.

Also Read: Difference Between Oviparous And Viviparous Animals

Facts About Amphibians

• Amphibians are believed to have evolved about 370 million years ago.
• Amphibians belong to class amphibian.
• In amphibians, breathing is via lungs, gills or through the skin for Lungless amphibians such as salamander.  For amphibians to breathe through the skin (Cutaneous respiration), the skin must be moist.
• Amphibians live in aquatic environments during their larval stage but migrate to the land during adulthood.
• Amphibians are able to defend themselves from prays through secretion of toxic substances through the skin and bites.
• Lifecycle is a radical change in the physical and behavioral characteristics of amphibians, marking the passage from childhood to adulthood. Amphibians for example frogs are tadpoles in their initial stages of development, they are black with a tail and breathe in water using gills. In the adulthood of tadpoles (frogs) they do not have a tail and breathe in air via lungs.
• Amphibians have three-chambered hearts.
• The mode of reproduction in amphibians can be described as Oviviparity because the embryos develop inside the eggs but stay inside the mother’s body until they are ready to be hatched. Amphibians are born in water or marshy lands.
• Amphibians have moist, smooth or rough skin, sometimes with sticky mucous glands that secrete waterproof coating to keep skin moist. Most importantly, oxygen and carbon dioxide can be exchanged through their skin.
• Amphibians have short forelimbs while hind limbs are long and highly muscular.
• Amphibians’ main nitrogenous waste is ammonia.
• Amphibians have short forelimbs while hind limbs are long and highly muscular.
• Amphibians’ eggs are described as ‘’anamniotic eggs”, because the embryo is contained within a soft and gel-like surrounding without any hard covering. The eggs are laid in damp places or directly on the water surface.
• Most amphibians have single vertebra in the neck which hinders head articulation. Amphibians also have ten pairs of cranial nerves.

Also Read: Difference Between Vertebrates And Invertebrates

Difference Between Amphibians And Reptiles In Tabular Form

Also Read: Difference Between Internal And External Fertilization

What are the Similarities Between Amphibians and Reptiles?

1. Both amphibians and reptiles are cold-blooded; they rely upon external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.
2. Both amphibians and reptiles are vertebrates possessing a central vertebral column.
3. Some amphibians and reptiles have four limbs.
4. Both amphibians and reptiles belong to the phylum chordate under kingdom Animalia.
5. Both amphibians and reptiles use camouflage, biting and inflating of the body size in order to avoid predation.
6. Many reptiles and amphibians have sharp eyesight which is important for capture of prey by flickering their tongue.
7. Mostly, amphibians and reptiles consume plants and insects.
8. Both reptile and amphibians have the cloaca, an opening that serves as an opening for genital, intestinal and urinary outlet.
9. Both amphibians and reptiles have a heart with three chambers.
10. Both are capable of altering the skin color by concentrating or dissipating melanin.