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.
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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 4 sentence introduction. Be sure to include a hook in the introduction.

Reptiles and amphibians are two fascinating groups of animals that share some similarities but also possess distinct differences. Both are vertebrates and shed their skin, demonstrating a common physical characteristic. Additionally, these creatures serve as both predators and prey, relying on their tongues to catch their next meal. Furthermore, reptiles and amphibians are ectothermic, meaning they cannot internally regulate their body temperatures like mammals. However, despite these resemblances, these two groups diverge in significant ways. Amphibians lay their eggs in water, while reptiles choose land as the location for their egg deposition. Furthermore, amphibians have delicate, porous skin that requires them to live close to water or in humid environments, in contrast to reptiles with their dry, scaly skin that allows them to thrive away from water sources. Lastly, amphibians undergo a metamorphosis from a larval stage to an air-breathing adult, while reptiles do not experience such transformations. With these intriguing distinctions in mind, let us delve deeper into the world of reptiles and amphibians and uncover the wonders of these captivating creatures.