Final answer:
Mammals have a higher respiration rate than reptiles because they are endothermic, requiring more oxygen for a higher metabolic rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Between reptiles and mammals, it is mammals that have a higher respiration rate. This higher respiration rate in mammals is due to their endothermic nature and a need for a constant, plentiful supply of oxygen to maintain their high metabolic rate. Mammals are warm-blooded creatures with a metabolism that requires oxygen for cellular respiration to produce energy. The lungs and hearts of mammals are highly developed to provide the necessary oxygen to their bodies. Conversely, reptiles are ectothermic, meaning they rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature, leading to a lower metabolic and respiration rate.