Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates that typically give birth to live young and nurse them with milk produced by mammary glands.
Reptiles, on the other hand, are cold-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs and have scales covering their bodies. Mammals generally have hair or fur, while reptiles possess dry and scaly skin.
Mammals exhibit a more advanced level of parental care and often have a higher metabolic rate compared to reptiles.
| Feature | Mammals | Reptiles |
|---|---|---|
| Body Temperature | Warm-blooded (regulate internal temperature) | Cold-blooded (reliant on external environment) |
| Skin Covering | Fur or hair | Scales |
| Reproduction | Live birth (viviparous) | Egg-laying (oviparous) |
| Parental Care | Extensive parental care with milk feeding | Limited parental care |
| Heart Chambers | Four-chambered heart for efficient oxygenated blood flow | Three-chambered heart for less efficient circulation |
| Blood Type | Red blood cells have nuclei (nucleated) | Red blood cells lack nuclei (non-nucleated) |
| Respiration | Diaphragm for efficient lung movement | No diaphragm, rely on intercostal muscles for lung movement |
| Teeth | Two sets of teeth (deciduous, permanent) with complex chewing surfaces | Single set of teeth (replaced throughout life) with simpler designs |
| Growth | Limited growth after adulthood | Can continue growing throughout life |
| Skeleton | Single jawbone | Multiple bones forming the jaw |
| Brain Size | Larger and more complex brain, particularly the cerebrum | Smaller and less complex brain |
| Locomotion | Upright posture, limbs directly under body | Sprawling gait, limbs extend from the sides |
What are Mammals?
Mammals are a diverse group of animals defined by their defining characteristic – mammary glands. These glands produce milk, which nourishes young after birth.
Warm-bloodedness is another key feature, allowing mammals to maintain a constant internal temperature regardless of the environment.
Fur or hair helps insulate them, while their four-chambered hearts pump oxygenated blood efficiently. Live birth is typical, with extensive parental care provided until the young are independent.
What are Reptiles?
Reptiles, on the other hand, are cold-blooded, relying on the sun or their surroundings to regulate their body temperature.
Scales cover their skin, providing protection and waterproofing. Unlike mammals, they lay eggs, and parental care is often minimal or absent.
Their three-chambered hearts pump blood less efficiently, and their brains are generally smaller and less complex. They move with a characteristic sprawling gait, with limbs extending from the sides of their bodies.
Conclusion
The differences between mammals and reptiles are profound, shaping their lifestyles, adaptations, and interactions with the world.
While both contribute greatly to the tapestry of life on Earth, their unique characteristics set them on distinct evolutionary paths, reminding us of the beautiful diversity within the animal kingdom.