Are Toads Reptiles?
Toads are not reptiles but amphibians. This is because they exhibit the two main amphibian traits: beginning life in the water and undergoing metamorphosis early in their life cycle.
About Amphibians
Amphibians develop in soft eggs in the water, emerging as larvae that require water to survive. When they emerge, they do not look like their parents but must undergo a metamorphosis as they grow up. Toad larvae, for example, develop as tadpoles with tails and gills and become toadlets with lungs, legs, and tails. They later lose their tails when they become fully developed toads. As adults, many amphibians continue to live near or in water. Toads mate in the water; females release the eggs into the water, where they are fertilized by the males. Amphibians typically have moist skin. Common amphibians, in addition to toads, are frogs, salamanders, and newts. Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates.
About Reptiles
Reptiles begin life in leathery eggs laid on land or are born live from their mothers. They look like their parents when they are born, rather than metamorphosing into the adult form. They usually have scaly skin. Common reptiles are snakes, turtles, lizards, and alligators. Like amphibians, reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates.
Resources
“eNature: About Reptile & Amphibian Types.” eNature: America’s Wildlife Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/about_reptile_shapes.asp
“Are Toads Reptiles or Amphibians?.” Animal Questions — Answers to all of your questions about animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. http://www.animalquestions.org/amphibians/toads/are-toads-reptiles-or-amphibians/
“Toad Lifecycle.” College of Sciences | University of Nevada, Las Vegas. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2012. http://sciences.unlv.edu/desertsurvivors/Pages/toadlc.htm
