is respiration higher in mammals or reptiles. please explain your reasoning. thanks?

Answer 1

Neither. This is a bogus question. Respiration rate varies directly with temperature in reptiles and hibernating or dormant mammals. In general, respiration rate is inversely correlated with body size but not with species.

Answer 2

Mammals have a higher rate of metabolism than reptiles; mammals use energy to maintain body temperature. Thus, mammals have a higher respiration rate than reptiles - they need the oxygen to maintain their metabolism and body temp.