Difference Between Reptile and Amphibian

Reptile vs Amphibian

Reptile and amphibian are two of the most closely related class of creatures as members of both families are cold blooded and are vertebrates, meaning they have backbones. Furthermore, except crocodiles and its relatives, almost all reptiles and amphibians have a three-chambered heart.


Reptile is a kind of creature that lay eggs and breathes oxygen through their lungs. They are unable to regulate their body temperature as such needs external thermal source to keep warm. They need heat in order to hasten metabolism that is why reptiles are usually seen basking under the heat of the sun. Typically, reptiles have scaly skins which are watertight. Lizards, turtles, snakes, crocodiles and geckos are some members of this class.


Amphibians are creatures which lay eggs and are cold blooded. These creatures are able to live both in the water and on dry land. However, they need to still “wet” their skin in order to breathe air. Most amphibians lay their eggs in the water and when these eggs hatches, a fish-like larva, or a tadpole, comes out. These tadpoles breathe through gills which develop to lungs when becoming adult.

Difference between Reptile and Amphibian

Reptile and amphibian creatures are closely related as the evolutionary pattern is from fish to amphibian then to reptiles. But there is a great difference in how they reproduce and how they “breathe” air. The eggs of reptiles have a leathery and hard outer shell which protects the embryo inside while amphibian eggs are soft without the outer membrane and are laid in bodies of water attached to water plants. When the eggs hatches, what comes out are miniature adult while amphibian eggs are still in larva stage which have tails and gills. Most amphibians need water to live while reptiles can live in many places.

Reptiles or amphibians you should not kill them just because they have scales or slimy, these creatures have a purpose just as you.

Reptile vs Amphibian

• Reptile eggs have a leathery and hard outer shell to protect the embryo inside while amphibian eggs have no outer shell which makes them soft and slimy.

• Amphibians have a larval stage before becoming adult, which usually are fish-like with gills and tails, while when a young reptile hatches from its egg it looks more like a small adult and can already defend and feed oneself.

• Amphibians need to live close to that water as it needs its skin to be wet to be able to breathe while reptiles can live far away from water, even in deserts.

• Both are cold-blooded creatures that need external heat sources for warmth.