A153 Amphibians & Reptiles
These animals are often confused by people, 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 the fact that these animals
live first in 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.
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