What are the differences between reptiles and mammals?

Contributed by:

kevin Tue, Jan 18, 2022 08:49 PM UTC

The main difference between mammals and reptiles is that mammals are warm-blooded animals that have skin generally covered by their hair. Mammals nourish their kids with milk secreted from the mammary glands. On the other hand, reptiles are cold-blooded animals that have scaly and dry skin.

1. Major difference between reptiles and mammals
Bio 1413, Ziser, 2000
REPTILE MAMMAL
Epidermis covered with scales Epidermis covered with hair
Most with three chambered heart All with four chambered heart
Most with no diaphragm Diaphragm for respiration
Low metabolic rate High metabolic rate; homeotherms
Oviparous (egg laying) Viviparous (young develop within
little care of young mother) placenta, live birth
& care of young with milk
Growth continues through life Growth limited after adulthood
Skull with small brain case, Skull with expanded brain case,
several bones forming jaw single bone forming jaw
Teeth continually replaced with Two sets of teeth only (deciduous &
simple cheek teeth permanent) with complex cheek
teeth
Anterior brain (cerebrum) relatively Anterior brain (cerebrum) larger and often
small convoluted
Skull with one occipital condyle Skull with two occipital condyles
Single middle ear bone Three middle ear bones
(columella=stapes) (malleus, incus, stapes)

2. Bony palate usually incomplete Bony palate completely separates nasal
passages from mouth
Ribs present on all vertebrae Free ribs confined to thoracic vertebrae
Pelvic bones separate Pelvic bones fused
Sprawling gait with limbs emerging Upright stance wth limbs directly beneath
horizontally from body body

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