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A153 Amphibians & Reptiles
These animals are often confused, so they are treated together.
“Amphibian” comes from the Greek amphi, meaning “both,” and bios,
meaning “life.” It has two meanings. First, the animals physically
change. Reproduction is accomplished through external fertilization.
The female spawns her eggs in water where they are fertilized by the
male. After hatching, most amphibians undergo a dramatic change
known as metamorphosis. They slowly change from fishlike,
water-dwelling animals to ones better suited for life on land. Fins
and gills become legs and lungs. The most well-known example is the
change from tadpole to frog. Second, the term also refers to these
animals first living in the water and later on land.
Reptiles reproduce by sexual intercourse and internal fertilization,
just like mammals. Amniotic eggs develop within the mother’s
abdomen. Once they are sufficiently developed, the mother lays them
and they hatch. However some reptiles give birth to live young. |
