What’s the difference between an amphibian and a reptile? Despite seeing them on TV and reading about them in books, many people often confuse the two. To be clear, they share some similarities, which is one reason for this confusion.
However, a close inspection shows clear differences between the two. They become even more apparent when researching the two as pets. If you are looking for the pet of your dreams, you can easily find amphibians and reptiles for sale online.
Let’s discuss the differences between amphibians and reptiles in detail now.
Amphibians Vs Reptiles – A Detailed Look
Amphibians are fascinating creatures that can live both on land and in water. The word amphibian comes from the Greek word amphibios, which translates to ‘living a double life.’ However, some spend their whole lives in water while others on land. Today, we know about 8,000 Amphibian species, commonly represented by frogs, newts, toads, salamanders, and more.
Reptiles are also cold-blooded animals, meaning they cannot change their body temperature. This means that when it’s hot, they find shade, and when it’s cold, they get some sun to stay warm. Most are carnivores, while some groups are herbivores. Reptiles are currently divided into four groups: turtles and tortoises, crocodiles, lizards and snakes, and tuatara. The latest data shows around 10,000 extant species of traditional reptiles have been recorded.
What’s the Difference Between an Amphibian and a Reptile in Unique Traits?
Amphibians
Modern-day amphibians have many unique traits that make it easier to differentiate them from reptiles. Almost all of them have moist skin to help them breathe, as they use cutaneous (skin-surface) respiration techniques. They have a double-channel hearing system, while their retinas have green rods to differentiate between hues. Moreover, they have pedicellate teeth, also known as two-part teeth.
However, they differ significantly in their structural appearance. For instance, toads and frogs don’t have tails, and their hind limbs have developed leaping mechanisms. Because of their strong hind limbs, they sit in a squatting position. On the other hand, newts and salamanders have tails and two pairs of same-sized limbs.
Reptiles
Amphibians have moist skin, while reptiles have dry and scaly skin. Some species have pronounced scales, while others have fleshy skin that looks like it has warts or horns on it. Their skin provides strong protection in unfavorable climates and helps them retain moisture. Moreover, their scalation has a large keratin deposit, giving it extra toughness.
What’s the Difference Between an Amphibian and a Reptile in Breeding?
Amphibians
Most amphibians breed in standing waters. The eggs develop into larvae that are free to move around in water. During their development, these embryos locate food and stay safe from predators. Once these larvae enter the adult phase, they leave aquatic environments for terrestrial ones.
Although all three amphibian groups go through this water-to-land metamorphosis, there is considerable variation in how it happens. For instance, some lay their eggs in water where they hatch after a given period. Here is how some of the other groups breed:
- In one group, the back of the female carries the eggs until they hatch.
- Some keep their embryos in the oviduct, where they feed from the oviduct wall.
- Some species prefer to develop their eggs within the female’s stomach.
Reptiles
There is variation in reptile reproduction methods, depending upon their groups and species. Both male and female reptiles have sexual organs that are not easily visible to the naked eye. Turtles and crocodiles have one penis, while lizards and snakes have two hemipenes near the tail. Interestingly, the male genitalia only performs reproductive functions, as there is a separate urinary tract.
Fertilization happens by the combination of male sperm with female eggs. Many species keep the sperm intact for multiple years so that reproduction can happen without needing a male. Some lizard species take this further and reproduce using parthenogenesis, where they don’t need a male partner.
Most reptiles don’t have a thorough mechanism to protect their young ones, so they are left alone. However, some make deep holes in the ground to protect their eggs. Similarly, some snake species protect their eggs by wrapping their tails around them.
One major advantage of keeping reptiles as pets is their long lives. Many species live 20 to 50 years, so you can spend more time with your pet. Some tortoises have been known to live 50+ years as pets.
What’s the Difference Between an Amphibian and a Reptile in Diet?
Amphibians
Most adult amphibians eat prey that cannot move fast enough to defend themselves, such as spiders, caterpillars, earthworms, and beetles. However, the diet varies significantly among groups.
For instance:
- Sirens eat their prey, including the plants on which they’re found.
- The Brazilian tree frog consumes a lot of fruit.
- The Mexican burrowing toad picks up ants and termites with its specially developed tongue.
Reptiles
In the wild, ball pythons eat small rodents and birds, but their diet can change to thawed rodents in captivity. Similarly, African house snakes eat live and frozen-thawed medium mice im captivity.
Yellow-footed Tortoises are primarily herbivorous. They like eating fruit, vegetation, and prepared food, especially in captivity. Similarly, red-footed tortoises are also fond of vegetation.
Thankfully, reptiles don’t really require a large amount of food as pets. Snakes can easily skip meals for a week or more, while lizards and turtles can be fed every one to two days. Interestingly, the larger the reptile, the less frequent feeding it requires.
What’s the Difference Between an Amphibian and a Reptile in Hibernation?
Amphibians
One thing about amphibians is that they stay away from extreme temperatures as much as possible. That is why almost all of them hibernate. During winters, they dig deep or hibernate in the mud to maintain optimal body temperature. Similarly, some stay inside logs or rock cracks to keep from freezing.
Since they have almost nothing to eat during this time, they slow down their metabolism and heartbeat to conserve energy. Some frog species can even survive freezing temperatures by storing extra glucose in their bodies. Some of their body parts might still freeze, but the vital organs keep running.
Reptiles
Technically, reptiles do not hibernate, but that’s half the answer. The full answer is that they follow a process called brumation. Instead of fully sleeping during brumation, they drink water and sometimes come out to soak in the sun. They store extra fat and sugars used during the brumation period, which also happens in hibernation. Moreover, reptiles do not require as much oxygen during brumation as amphibians during hibernation since they have enough glycogen in their blood.
What’s the Difference Between an Amphibian and a Reptile? A Comparison Chart
| Amphibians | Reptiles | |
| Introduction | They are both terrestrial and aquatic, usually near bodies of water to maintain skin moisture. | They are terrestrial animals with scales on their body and lay eggs. |
| Examples | Newts, toads, frogs, and salamanders | Snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles |
| Breathing Method | Gills and lungs | Lungs |
| Metabolism | Ectothermic (cold-blooded) | Ectothermic (cold-blooded) |
| Metamorphosis | Mostly, their embryos stay in the water and breathe through their gills until they develop into adults when they come out. | Reptiles look like miniature adults when born. |
| Limbs | Long hind limbs and short forelimbs with five webbed digits. | Some reptiles (snakes) have no limbs, but some do. Their movement speeds also vary. |
| Skin | Smooth and moist with lots of mucous glands. | Covered with scales made of keratin. |
| Eggs | Soft eggs are usually found in damp places. | Leathery eggs that reptiles keep in their body or lay on land. |
| Reproduction | External fertilization | Internal fertilization |
Which One is The Better Pet
When discussing what’s the difference between an amphibian and a reptile, it’s important to consider which one makes the better pet. Reptiles seem the better choice if we look at both because they offer a few advantages.
One is that they are available in a wide temperament range. Some reptile species can interact and spend time outside their enclosures, resulting in more engaging experiences with your pet, something that amphibians might not offer.
Amphibians thrive on a mix of water and land with high humidity levels, which is hard to recreate in captivity. On the other hand, it is much simpler to create reptile enclosures where you only need to maintain basking areas.
Reptiles usually live longer than amphibians. For instance, some tortoise species have been recorded to live for over a century. Due to their long lives, you can enjoy years of companionship and build a strong connection with them.
The Bottom Line: Take Your Reptiles Home
Both amphibians and reptiles are undoubtedly fascinating creatures. They have caught our attention for centuries and will continue to do so. However, as this article discusses, reptiles are usually considered the superior pets.
They are low maintenance and generally more interactive than amphibians. Moreover, as a pet owner, the more time you spend with your pet, the better. That’s also where reptiles get ahead of amphibians with their longer life spans.
With hundreds of species, you can pick a reptile that suits your lifestyle and preferences. They’ll surely make your life more fulfilling for years without any annoying noises or demands.
