Reptiles and amphibians share some similarities and differences. One similarity is that they both have a body composed of bones, muscles, and skin. Another is that they both lay eggs. However, there are many differences that are important to understand for proper care of your pet reptile or amphibian.
| Amphibians | Reptiles |
| 2 – 8 inches | 17 feets |
| 20 – 40 pounds | 600 pounds |
What are amphibians?
Amphibians are reptiles that have a tail and move around on all fours. They are also cold-blooded, meaning they do not need to eat or drink as often as reptiles with internal digestion.
This means that their skin is more sensitive to changes in temperature. If you touch your amphibian, it will immediately react by changing its skin color. They can survive out of water for short periods of time, but they prefer water for comfort and protection from predators.
What are reptiles?
Reptiles are a group of animals that have a hard outer shell (plastron) and move around on four legs. The plastron acts as a shield for the body and protects the animal from predators and bad weather conditions. Reptiles also have an internal stomach (called an “oesophagus”) that is filled with food so they can digest it while they are alive. The digestive system of most reptiles can digest both meat and plants, making them omnivores like humans. Some reptiles also have teeth in their mouths that allow them to chew up their food before swallowing it down with their throat.
Amphibians VS Reptiles
The length of an amphibian is usually between 2 and 8 inches. Some species can reach lengths of 12 inches or more. The body of a reptile is much larger than that of an amphibian.
Reptiles can be up to 9 feet long and weigh anywhere from 20 to 40 pounds. The largest crocodile in the world, a saltwater crocodile, can grow up to 17 feet long and weigh more than 600 pounds!
They are also much more active than their smaller counterparts. An adult male croc may weigh 10 times as much as an adult female croc!
The weight of your pet’s animal depends on many factors, including the type of food they eat, their age, and the size of their enclosure. You should always keep in mind that a large reptile will require a larger enclosure than a small one because they will eat more food than smaller animals.
