Are Snakes Mammals?

Snakes are reptiles, not mammals. Snakes are cold-blooded and cannot regulate their own body heat, meaning they rely on the temperature of their surroundings.

Mammals and reptiles have more differences than similarities. Let’s compare a few key characteristics.

What Are The Similarities Between Mammals And Reptiles?

While they are both completely different animals, there are a few similarities between mammals and reptiles.

  • Both are vertebrates, meaning they have a backbone.
  • They both have teeth and are covered in skin.
  • They also both need lungs to breathe.
  • Both reptiles and mammals are in the phylum ‘Chordata,’ meaning they both have a notochord.

These are just a few examples, but overall, there are more differences than similarities between the two groups of animals.

What Are The Differences Between Mammals And Reptiles?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between mammals and reptiles.

  • Reptiles have scaly skin, while mammals are covered in fur.
  • In comparison to reptiles, mammals have a high metabolic rate because they are homeotherms.
  • In contrast to mammals that have a 4-chambered heart, most reptiles have a 3-chambered heart.
  • All mammals have a diaphragm, used for respiration. Most reptiles don’t have a diaphragm!
  • Although all mammals including humans reach a point of cessation of growth after adulthood, this is not the same for reptiles which may grow continuously all their life.

These are just some of the differences that exist between mammals and reptiles! As you can see, they have a lot of characteristics that set them apart.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, snakes are not mammals. Although they share some similarities with mammals, such as being vertebrates, they have many more differences that set them apart. Snakes are reptiles and are therefore not covered in fur or able to regulate their own body heat. Hopefully, this article has helped clear up any confusion!