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elearning Campus BlogReptiles and Amphibians
Reptiles and Amphibians
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Have you ever thought about whether a frog, turtle, or lizard is a reptile or an amphibian? These are a group of vertebrates that have lived on Earth for millions of years. Although both reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded, their lifestyles and body structures are different. Their similarities, differences, and importance help us to understand the surprising facts about their existence on Earth.
In this blog, we will explore the characteristics, examples, lifestyles, and ecological roles of reptiles and amphibians, along with key differences that make each group truly interesting.
Reptiles and Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates, which means that they cannot control their body temperature internally. They need sunlight to maintain their body temperature. However, they belong to different classes and have unique lifecycles.
Reptiles belong to the class Reptilia. These are cold-blooded vertebrates with dry, scaly skin that prevents water loss. The hard, scaly skin helps them to survive in hot and dry climates. Their hard skin protects them from toxins and pollutants, preventing harmful substances from entering their bodies.
They breathe through lungs and lay eggs with hard or leathery shells on land.
Reptiles have internal fertilization, which means that eggs are fertilized inside the female's body, allowing them to reproduce on land.
Here are the main characteristics of reptiles.
They are cold-blooded means their body temperature changes with the environment. They depend on shade or sun to stay warm or cool.
Most reptiles have four short legs and clawed toes for crawling. However, snakes do not have legs but still move effectively by slithering.
Their skin is dry and hard, which prevents them from losing water and protects them from any attack or injury.
Most reptiles lay eggs on land. Their eggs have tough, leathery shells that protect the baby inside from drying out.
Reptiles breathe only through lungs throughout their lives, even if they live in water.
Reptiles have three chambers with two atria and one ventricle. But crocodiles have four chambers similar to mammals.
Reproduction happens inside the female’s body, ensuring eggs are fertilized before being laid. Young ones hatch fully developed offspring, and there is no larval stage, or they do not go through metamorphosis.
Due to their cold-blooded nature, their metabolism is slow. This allows them to survive long periods without food.
Many reptiles are carnivores feeding on insects, small animals, and fish. Some reptiles, such as turtles, are omnivores and also eat plants.
Amphibians belong to the class Amphibia. They can begin their life in water and then on land. They have porous and thin skin that easily absorbs pollutants, making them more sensitive to water quality. Because of this difference, amphibians cannot survive in salt water, but reptiles can live in salt water. They lay their eggs on water without shells. They start their life as larvae with gills and transform into adults with lungs through metamorphosis.
Amphibians have external fertilization, which means fertilization takes place outside the body, and they lay eggs in water.
Here are the main characteristics of amphibians:
Amphibians are also cold-blooded. They cannot regulate their body temperature, and they also need sun or shade to stay warm or cool.
Amphibians spend the initial part of their life in water and then live on land as adults. For example, frog start their life in water as a larva, then later move to land.
Amphibians usually have four limbs; front limbs are short, hind limbs are long and muscular for jumping.
Amphibians have a three-chambered heart with two atria and one ventricle
They go through proper life cycle states in their life, for example, from egg to tadpole(larva), then to adult. This change is called metamorphosis. Tadpoles breathe through gills, but when they become adult then they breathe through skin and lungs.
Amphibians have Soft, moist, and smooth skin without scales, which helps them in breathing and absorb water, but also means they must live in moist environments to prevent drying out.
A turtle is a reptile, not an amphibian, due to the following reasons:
A Frog is an amphibian due to the following reasons ;
Lizards are reptiles, not amphibians, due to the following reason:
Their eggs are soft and jelly-like without a shell. So they must be laid on water to prevent drying out.
Most adult amphibians are carnivores, eating insects, worms, and small animals.
A snake is a reptile, not an amphibian. Because they have scales and hard skin on their body, breathe through lungs, lay hard-shelled eggs on land, and live on land, not in water like amphibians.
Both reptiles and amphibians belong to an ancient line of cold-blooded vertebrates, lay eggs, and depend on their surroundings for warmth and survival; then what's the difference? Many people confuse these two, but here are the key points between reptiles and amphibians that make them different from each other. Here are the differences:
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