The main difference between mammals and reptiles is that mammals are warm-blooded animals that have skin generally covered by their hair. Mammals nourish their kids with milk secreted from the mammary glands. On the other hand, reptiles are cold-blooded animals that have scaly and dry skin.
1. Major difference between reptiles and mammals Bio 1413, Ziser, 2000 REPTILE MAMMAL Epidermis covered with scales Epidermis covered with hair Most with three chambered heart All with four chambered heart Most with no diaphragm Diaphragm for respiration Low metabolic rate High metabolic rate; homeotherms Oviparous (egg laying) Viviparous (young develop within little care of young mother) placenta, live birth & care of young with milk Growth continues through life Growth limited after adulthood Skull with small brain case, Skull with expanded brain case, several bones forming jaw single bone forming jaw Teeth continually replaced with Two sets of teeth only (deciduous & simple cheek teeth permanent) with complex cheek teeth Anterior brain (cerebrum) relatively Anterior brain (cerebrum) larger and often small convoluted Skull with one occipital condyle Skull with two occipital condyles Single middle ear bone Three middle ear bones (columella=stapes) (malleus, incus, stapes)
2. Bony palate usually incomplete Bony palate completely separates nasal passages from mouth Ribs present on all vertebrae Free ribs confined to thoracic vertebrae Pelvic bones separate Pelvic bones fused Sprawling gait with limbs emerging Upright stance wth limbs directly beneath horizontally from body body