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How To Distiguish Between Reptiles and Amphibians

By Laura Klappenbach, About.com

5 of 6

Amphibian: Tail or No Tail?

Photos coutesey Shutterstock.

All the Difference Between Salamanders and Toads

Now that you've determined that your animal is an amphibian (due to its soft, smooth, or warty, possibly moist skin) and it has legs, you need to next look for a tail. There are only two possibilities:

Has a tail - Image A
Does not have a tail - Image B

If the animal has a tail (as in Image A), then it's a salamander or newt.

If the animal does not have a tail (as in Image B), then it's either a frog or a toad. If this is the case for the animal you are observing, go to this step next.

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