AMPHIBIANS

WHAT ARE AMPHIBIANS?

Amphibians are vertebrates that, with some exceptions, live underwater as larva and on land as adults

Amphibians have moist skin that contain mucous glands, and lack scales and claws

Only three types of amphibians remain on earth today (salamanders, frogs and toads, and caecilians)

AMPHIBIAN EVOLUTION

In order to adapt to living partially on land, amphibians had to adapt and evolve

Among these changes, bones in the hips and limbs had to strengthen to protect the internal organs

More importantly, amphibians had to develop strong lungs and breathing tubes to breathe the air on land

BREATHING

Amphibians are able to breathe through their skin, so they can live their entire life underwater if they choose to

However, some amphibians prefer living on land to look for more available food

HEARING

Amphibians have sensitive hearing. They have Tympanic membranes on the side of their head, which are pretty much exposed ears that help them sense sound and motion in the water

REPRODUCTION

Amphibian eggs are externally fertilized

They are laid underwater, otherwise they will dry up and perish

MATURATION

Most amphibians just grow into adults. Frogs and Salamanders go through a more dramatic change as they grow from embryos into adults

TYPES OF AMPHIBIANS

Frogs have long legs and make lengthy jumps. They prefer living a life both on land and underwater

TYPES OF AMPHIBIANS (CONTINUED)

Toads have stocky bodies and prefer a life more adept to land. While toads, like most amphibians, prefer moist places to live in, there are some types of toads that have adapted to life in deserts

TYPES OF AMPHIBIANS (CONTINUED)

Salamanders and Newts look and act alike. About their only difference is in their skin. Salamanders and smooth and feel almost slimy. Newts have bumpier skin. They both live in damp and moist environments

TYPES OF AMPHIBIANS (CONTINUED)

Axolotls are Salamanders that can not live on land. They never develop strong lungs to live on land like average Salamanders. They breathe using their feather-like gills

TYPES OF AMPHIBIANS (CONTINUED)

Caecilians are strange amphibians that resemble worms or snakes

Caecilians are legless, have fish-like scales, and eat small invertebrates

They burrow underground in moist soil or live underwater

TYPES OF AMPHIBIANS (CONTINUED)

Some amphibians are deadly. Brightly colored amphibians like this Poison Arrow Frog warn you that they are not good to eat and will harm you if you touch them

Take it as a warning sign when you see brightly colored amphibians or insects, it pretty much means, “Back off!”

AMPHIBIANS IN POPULAR MEDIA