Are Salamanders Amphibians or Reptiles?
Salamanders are an important yet mysterious species of animals that live in both water and land habitats. Do these misunderstood creatures fall under the classification of amphibians or reptiles? Let’s investigate and find out.
Salamander Anatomy
Salamanders all have the same general anatomy. They are four-legged and have long bodies. They have eyelids and external gills when they are in the larval stage, but lose these features upon becoming adults. They all also have a tail, although not all of them retain it for their entire lives.
Are Salamanders Amphibians?
Yes! Salamanders are amphibians. This is because they have many of the physical characteristics that are common among other amphibians. These include:
- Smooth, moist skin: Salamanders have smooth, moist skin which is common among amphibians, while reptiles have dry, scaly skin.
- External gills: Salamanders typically have external gills when they are in the larval stage.
- Adaptations to living in water: Salamanders have developed adaptations to living in water, such as fins and webbed feet.
Are Salamanders Reptiles?
No, Salamanders are not considered to be reptiles. This is because they differ from other reptiles in several ways, such as:
- Lack of scales: Salamanders lack the scales that are common among reptiles.
- Less developed skeletons: Salamanders have less developed skeletons than other reptiles.
- Lack of egg shells: Salamanders lack the protective egg shells that other reptiles have.
Conclusion
To sum it up, salamanders are amphibians and not reptiles. They have many of the physical characteristics that are common among other amphibians, and differ from other reptiles in several ways. Ultimately, further investigation is needed to really understand these mysterious creatures.
