Here’s a pop quiz – just like in school, when your teacher tests you before the lesson, just to see how much you already know (or don’t know). This is just like that. Take a guess. Which of these critters are amphibians and which are reptiles?
When they are grouped together, amphibians and reptiles are called herptiles. They are all vertebrates (meaning they have backbones) and they are all ectothermic (which means they are all cold-blooded and can’t generate their own body heat like you can). But there are key differences between amphibians and reptiles.
Skin texture is the most obvious difference.
Amphibian: smooth, moist, sometimes sticky
Reptile: dry, scaly
Amphibians go through a metamorphosis (change) from young to adult. Reptiles don’t.
Amphibian: begins life in water, breathing through gills
Reptile: young look like mini-adult, breathe through lungs
Amphibians have fewer defense mechanisms than reptiles.
Amphibian: toxic skin secretions, bright colours are warning signs!
Reptile: scales, nails, teeth, and even venom or poison
Herptiles often co-exist in an ecosystem, which is why you might find frogs and snakes in the same marsh. Amphibians are more dependent on water, though, to keep their skin moist as well as for a place to lay their eggs and young to grow.
How did you do with your pop quiz? How many of these critters did you identify correctly?
Amphibians: frogs, toads, salamanders Reptiles: snakes, crocodiles, turtles, lizards
