Amphibians and reptiles differ in several key ways related to their skin, habitat, reproduction, development, and physiology:
- Skin : Amphibians have moist, thin, and porous skin without scales, often covered with mucus to prevent drying out. This skin allows them to absorb water and exchange gases. In contrast, reptiles have dry, tough skin covered with hard, keratinous scales that protect them from dehydration and predators
- Habitat and Lifestyle : Amphibians live a dual life, spending part of their life in water and part on land. Their larvae are aquatic, breathing through gills, while adults usually breathe with lungs. Reptiles are primarily terrestrial, fully adapted to live on land, breathing air through lungs throughout their lives
- Reproduction and Development : Amphibians lay soft, gelatinous eggs in water, and their young undergo metamorphosis, transforming from aquatic larvae (with gills) to terrestrial adults (with lungs). Reptiles lay eggs with leathery or hard shells on land, and their young hatch as miniature adults without metamorphosis. Some reptiles give birth to live young
- Respiration : Amphibians breathe through gills (in larvae), lungs (in adults), and their skin. Reptiles rely solely on lungs for respiration
- Other Differences :
- Amphibians have webbed feet suited for swimming; reptiles have limbs adapted for running and swimming.
- Amphibians have limited color vision; reptiles have more advanced color vision.
- Amphibians excrete nitrogenous waste mainly as ammonia; reptiles excrete uric acid.
- Amphibians often secrete toxins through their skin; reptiles may secrete toxins through teeth and nails
In summary, amphibians are adapted for life both in water and on land with moist skin and a metamorphic life cycle, while reptiles are adapted for a fully terrestrial life with dry, scaly skin and direct development from egg to adult form
