Reptiles and amphibians do have a lot of similarities, and they are in fact distantly related, but there are a few primary distinguishing features which clearly separate the two. A reptile can be differentiated from an amphibian by using various physical characteristics as clues, as well as looking at the life stages of the animal. Most people can recognize common examples of amphibians such as frogs and newts, along with typical reptiles like snakes and crocodiles, even if they cannot always explain the difference between the two. Once you understand what separates a reptile from an amphibian, you will be able to readily recognize which type of animal you are looking at, handling, or discussing.

Both types of animal are cold blooded, meaning that their body temperature fluctuates depending on their environment. Reptiles and amphibians can be found widely distributed on every continent except for Antarctica, although they tend to stick to warmer areas. Both reproduce by laying eggs, but here the similarities begin to end. The eggs of a reptile have hard leathery shells designed to protect the young inside, and are often laid in buried, insulated nests. Amphibians lay soft eggs without an external membrane, and the eggs are usually attached to the stems of aquatic plants.

When reptile eggs hatch, the young look like miniature adults. As the young grow up, they will mature into scaly animals with fully developed lungs and dry skins. Although some reptile species can swim, they do not take to water as readily as amphibians do, and they can be found in a wider range of locations as a result. Reptiles also have more diverse body types, ranging from limbless snakes to giant dinosaurs, and they are primarily land animals.

When an amphibian hatches, it initially emerges in the form or a tadpole, an aquatic larva which breathes through gills. Tadpoles cannot survive out of water, and as they grow and mature, they get bigger, grow limbs, and lose their tails. Ultimately, the tadpole develops lungs and turns into a full grown amphibian, which will spend much of its life in and around the water. Amphibians lack scales, having moist, smooth skin, and are typically thought of as water animals.

Because of their major physical differences, it is usually very easy to distinguish a reptile from an amphibian once an animal is handled. Reptiles feel dry and scaly, and some reptile species have very smooth skins while others have knobbles and horns which snag your fingers. An amphibian will feel moist and sometimes rather sticky. If you just have a photograph to look at, the scales of the reptile should be clearly distinguishable, while amphibians have skins which usually look slightly moist, although depending on the species, the skin may be dull and without luster.