To the question “How do reptiles differ from amphibians?” The first-grader son, returning from the village from his grandmother, importantly said: “Nothing. It is unpleasant to take both toads and snakes in hand. He judges by first impression. In fact, despite the similar attitude of those around them, there are many differences between amphibians and reptiles.
Amphibians
These are vertebrates, some of the oldest that appeared on Earth in the Devonian period. They evolved from the ripidistia, predatory cross-finned fish that emerged from the water onto land. There are not so many amphibians, about six thousand species, they are subdivided into tailed, tailless and legless.
In ordinary life, the easiest way to meet a frog or a toad. And hardly anyone wanted to face a giant Chinese salamander, the weight of which can reach 100 kg.
Reptiles
Cold-blooded vertebrates. They are at a higher stage of development compared to amphibians. They are divided into four orders: crocodiles (various types of alligators, caimans, crocodiles), turtles, scaly (snakes, chameleons, lizards) and beak-headed.
The main differences between amphibians and reptiles
1. The appearance of offspring
Amphibians lay eggs glued with mucus in water or moist burrows. Tadpoles appear from the eggs. They breathe with gills and have a tail. As they grow older, tadpoles lose their tail, but acquire eyelids, which makes it possible for them to see both in water and on land. In reptiles, only a small proportion are viviparous. The rest build nests and lay eggs. The offspring of reptiles is quite independent, since the parent often leaves the clutch and does not return to it. But crocodiles take care of both eggs and hatched cubs.
2. Skin
Amphibian skin is smooth and moist. No wonder they were once called naked reptiles. The skin of amphibians is literally permeated with glands that secrete poisonous mucus to protect against the effects of the external environment and enemies. Some amphibians are harmless and, in order to protect themselves from attack, are forced to imitate the fighting color of poisonous frogs and toads. Between the skin and muscles of amphibians there are cavities with a watery liquid.
In reptiles, or scaly reptiles, the skin is practically devoid of glands. It is impervious to liquids and gases. From above, the skin becomes keratinized, and scales form on them. Reptiles periodically shed their skin. Some get rid of the old skin immediately, others in parts. The pattern on the shed skin is practically invisible, and the skin itself (crawling) is colorless.
3. Diet
Amphibians feed on insects, snails, worms, small invertebrates, rodents, and slugs harmful to plants. They do not disdain the eggs laid by other amphibians and even encroach on their own kind. Sea toads consume dead animals and plants.
Among reptiles, you can find both insectivores and carnivores. The diet of reptiles includes fish, algae, birds and their eggs, rodents. There are known cases of attacks by such a reptile as the Komodo dragon, even on children. Some of the reptiles are poisonous and, before biting the victim, they inject poison into its body.
4. Life expectancy
Under natural conditions, amphibians cannot boast of longevity. Although in captivity, certain species of salamanders can live up to half a century. The lifespan of snakes and small lizards is from 2 to 20 years. But reptiles like turtles live up to 100-200 years. So reptiles are aksakals of the animal world.
