Below is the outline of the body of an essay on reptiles and amphibians. 1. Similarities between reptiles and amphibians A. Physical characteristics/appearance: both animals are vertebrates, and both animals shed their skin. B. Predator and prey: reptiles and amphibians are both predators and prey; both animals use their tongues to catch prey. C. Ectotherms: both animals are ectothermic, or cold-blooded: they cannot regulate their own body temperatures internally like mammals can. 2. Differences between reptiles and amphibians A. Eggs: amphibians lay their eggs in water, whereas reptiles lay their eggs on land. B. Skin: amphibians have delicate, thin, semi-permeable skin, and they must live close to water or in very humid habitats; reptiles have dry, scaly skin that enables them to live away from water. C. Metamorphosis: amphibians go through a metamorphosis from a tadpole or larval stage with gills to an air-breathing adult stage. Reptiles do not go through metamorphosis. When the young are born or hatched, they look like miniature adults.
Use the outline above to write a five- or six-sentence introduction. Be sure to include a hook in the introduction.
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Reptiles and amphibians, while often mistaken for each other, are two distinct groups of animals that share some similarities but also have fundamental differences. Both reptiles and amphibians are vertebrates, shedding their skin as they grow. They also belong to the class of ectothermic animals, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperatures. As predators and prey, these creatures use their tongues to catch their food. However, it is in their reproductive and physical characteristics that reptiles and amphibians truly diverge. Whereas amphibians lay their eggs in water and undergo a metamorphosis from a gilled larval stage to an adult, reptiles lay their eggs on land and have dry, scaly skin that allows them to live further away from water. By exploring these differences, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse and fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians.
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