Frog Classification
A frog is classified as an amphibian. Frogs undergo metamorphosis; reptiles do not. Knowing distinctions shows frogs are amphibians. Early amphibians first left sea and ventured onto land.
Distinctions Between Frogs and Reptiles
- Frogs undergo metamorphosis from larvae to adults. Reptiles do not.
- Frogs have moist skin without scales. Reptile skin is dry and scaly.
- Frog eggs are soft and jelly-like. Reptile eggs have hard shells.
- Frogs breathe through gills. Reptiles breathe only through lungs.
- The key difference is skin – reptile dry with scales, amphibian moist without.
Amphibians vs. Reptiles
- Amphibians live “double lives” – in water with gills and on land with lungs.
- Reptiles take hot/cold better. Amphibian life span shorter than reptile.
- Larvae amphibians can breathe with gills underwater and lungs on land; reptiles only land lungs.
- Amphibian smooth wet skin; reptile scaly. Both have important ecosystem roles.
- Historically, amphibians belonged to reptiles. Today separate classifications within Vertebrata.
- While sharing traits like being cold-blooded vertebrates, frogs meet amphibian, not reptile, requirements.