Frogs and Turtles

Kiara is at the pond with Peter. She’s teaching him all about reptiles and amphibians and their life cycles.

Oh, look! There’s a turtle now.

They notice the turtle has a shell, four legs, and a head. It can pull its head and legs into its shell for protection. Kiara explains that turtles are reptiles like snakes, alligators, and lizards.

What makes a turtle a reptile?

Reptiles have dry, scaly skin. They are born with lungs. They are also cold-blooded and lay eggs to have their babies.

Next, they notice some tadpoles swimming in the water and a frog hopping on the lily pads nearby.

Look at how the frog hops! Kiara explains to Peter that tadpoles will grow into adult frogs.

Frogs, like all amphibians, spend part of their life in water and part on land. Toads, salamanders, and newts are all amphibians too.

What makes a frog an amphibian?

Amphibians have moist skin, no scales, and are born with gills. They grow their lungs later.

Amphibians and reptiles have some things in common. They are both cold-blooded, they lay their eggs to have their babies, and they have life cycles.

Wow! Peter and Kiara agree that reptiles and amphibians are really interesting! They love learning about frogs and turtles too.