Characteristics of amphibians:
- Ectothermic (cold-blooded)
- Brumate
- Live on land and water
- Vertebrates
- Can smell, see, and hear
- Vocalize
- 4 legs except for some salamanders and caecilians
- Have teeth but swallow their prey whole
- Have lungs and a permeable skin
- Carnivorous
What are the sense organs of amphibians?
The sense organs are well-developed. Many aquatic adult amphibians and the larvae possess simple lateral line organs in the form of clusters of cells in an open pit. The skin contains tactile sense organs and chemoreceptors. The olfactory organ Works both in water and on land. Organ of Jacobson is present in most amphibians.
What are the characteristics of modern amphibians?
Modern amphibians are united by several unique traits. They typically have a moist skin and rely heavily on cutaneous (skin-surface) respiration. They possess a double-channeled hearing system, green rods in their retinas to discriminate hues, and pedicellate (two-part) teeth. Some of these traits may have also existed in extinct groups.
How is the skin of amphibians sensitive to light?
In all amphibians, the skin is also sensitive to light. This is highly developed in cave-dwelling urodeles. The membranous labyrinth is composed of an utriculus with three semicircular canals, a sacculus with an outgrowth, called lagena.
Can amphibians smell?
Yes, amphibians can smell. They have tiny openings on the roof of their mouth called external nares that take in different scents directly into their mouths. The external nares also help them breathe, just like our noses do.
What senses do frogs have?
Frogs are sensitive to touch and have a good sense of smell. Their sense of taste is excellent—in fact, they'll reject foods they don't like.
Do amphibians have a good sense of smell?
Yes, amphibians can smell. They have tiny openings on the roof of their mouth called external nares that take in different scents directly into their mouths. The external nares also help them breathe, just like our noses do.
What senses are most prominent in the amphibian brain?
The olfactory lobes are prominent in animals such as amphibians, but in birds and primates in which the sense of smell is less important the lobes are reduced in extent.
What senses help amphibians find food?
The lateral line receptors are present not only on the head and around the eyes, but on the body and neck as well. They detect vibrations through the water, giving the frog an idea of the shape and direction of a prey item in the water.
What are 5 characteristics of amphibians?
What are the 7 main characteristics of amphibians? Amphibians have a backbone, are cold-blooded, need a moist place to live, can breathe air through their skin, externally fertilize their eggs, eat meat, and grow legs when they mature.
How do amphibians hear?
Amphibians lack an external ear and instead have an internal ear, although frogs and toads do have an external membrane called the tympanum that transmits sound to the inner ear. Frogs also have a middle ear cavity and an eardrum, whereas salamanders and caecilians lack both of these structures.
Can frogs sense water?
1. Frogs find ponds through their sense of smell. Frogs and toads have a keen sense of smell which lets them smell pond water from large distances.
What are three interesting facts about amphibians?
Fun Facts about AmphibiansMost amphibians have thin, moist skin that helps them to breathe.Amphibians are considered vertebrates as they have a backbone.Frogs swallow their food whole. ... Frogs cannot live in salt water.All amphibians have gills, some only as larvae and others for their entire lives.More items...
Can frogs taste sweet?
Sometimes frogs will open and close their mouths to try and locate food. Frogs and Toads aren't very fussy eaters but will occasionally reject food that isn't right. They can sense the four basic tastes,bitter, sweet, sour and salty.
Can frogs hear?
Frogs do no more than the bare minimum, though, as they can't hear anything apart from the noises made by other frogs and their predators. Frogs' ear glands are sensitive only to the frequencies of sounds they need to hear to survive, and their brains react only to certain acoustic patterns.
How do amphibians protect themselves?
Most amphibians hop or crawl to the safety of the nearest water when danger threatens. Some also have glands in their skin that ooze poisonous or foul-tasting fluids when they are attacked. The common toad and a few other species confuse predators by puffing themselves up to look bigger.
Can frogs have teeth?
Some have tiny teeth on their upper jaws and the roof of their mouths while others sport fanglike structures. Some species are completely toothless. And only one frog, out of the more-than 7,000 species, has true teeth on both upper and lower jaws.
Do salamanders have a sense of smell?
They do not have scales. They are also unable to hear sounds, but they can sense sound through vibrations in the ground. Their sight is well developed, and they use their tongue to both smell and taste.
Do frogs have a smell?
"Frogs emit a pungent odor. Sometimes, a particular species can be recognized by its scent, but until now, the function of this odor was unknown.
Do pet frogs smell?
Pet frogs do not smell bad, but their environment (aquarium, terrarium) may smell bad if it is not maintained properly daily.
Can frogs smell food?
Frogs have a smell organ in the roof of their mouths called the jacobson's organ. This detects food. Sometimes frogs will open and close their mouths to try and locate food.
Where does the name amphibian come from?
The word amphibian is a Greek word. It is the combination of the world “amphi,” which means dual, or both kinds and the word “bio,” which means life. The translation would be ‘of both kinds of life’. This definition refers to the fact that most amphibians live their lives in two different stages in two different environments…water and land, first as tadpoles and then as terrestrial adult frogs.
How many amphibians are there in the world?
As of September 2012, there are 7,037 known amphibian species. They are broken down as follows: Anurans (frogs and toads:) 6,027 in 53 families. Caudata (salamanders): 639 in 10 families. Gymnophiona (Caecilians): 191 in 10 families.
How do amphibians breathe?
Most amphibians breathe through lungs and their skin. Their skin has to stay wet in order for them to absorb oxygen so they secrete mucous to keep their skin moist (If they get too dry, they cannot breathe and will die). Oxygen absorbed through their skin will enter blood vessels right at the skin surface that will circulate the oxygen to the rest of the body. Sometimes more than a quarter of the oxygen they use is absorbed directly through their skin. Tadpoles and some aquatic amphibians have gills like fish that they use to breathe. There are a few amphibians that do not have lungs and only breathe through their skin.
What do amphibians eat?
Amphibians will pretty much eat anything live that they can fit in their mouths! This includes bugs, slugs, snails, other frogs, spiders, worms, mice or even birds and bats (if the frog is big enough and the bird or bat small enough). A few species will eat only one particular food like some smaller frogs might specialize on ants or termites. Some particularly voracious frogs/toads like the cane toad have been known to eat non- live food such as dog or cat food! Aquatic amphibians will eat bugs, other amphibians including tadpoles, fish and small aquatic organisms. There is only one frog species known that is actually a vegetarian: The Brazilian Tree frog eats fruits and berries!
What do tadpoles eat?
Most tadpoles eat plants and algae in the water. They are important grazers in aquatic systems because they help with nutrient recycling and control algae populations, which help to maintain the health of freshwater ecosystems. Sometimes tadpoles will eat each other, especially if food resources are low. Some tadpoles eat insect larvae and tiny organisms that are found in the water.
Are amphibians only active at night?
Although many species are only active at night, there are some that are active during the day. Amphibians are usually active at night because they are harder to see and can avoid being eaten. It is also easier to avoid drying out when the sun isn’t shining down on them. Poisonous amphibians that are brightly colored are often active during the day. Bright colors on an animal will warn predators that they are poisonous, so they do not have to worry about predators. They avoid drying out by living in forests or undergrowth where it is damp and the sun isn’t able to dry them out.
Are all amphibians poisonous?
No, only some species of amphibians are poisonous. Usually they are brightly colored to warn predators of their toxic nature. Most amphibians secrete chemicals from their skin to make them taste icky to predators or make it difficult to handle them. These secretions can be slippery or can be sticky and irritating to the skin.
What Is An Amphibian?
Amphibians are vertebrates (animals with backbones) who were actually the first four-limbed vertebrates to walk the Earth. They are cold-blooded, with their body temperature being regulated by their surrounding temperature. They spend part of their lives in water and part on land, which is how they earned their name of “amphibian”, from the Greek word meaning “double life”.
What are some interesting facts about amphibians?
Amphibians have a 3 chambered heart, not 4 as in mammals. Amphibians have 5 basic senses, taste, hearing, smell, sight and touch, just like humans.
How many groups of amphibians are there?
There are three groups of amphibians, defined by their orders: frogs and toads (Anura), salamanders and newts (Caudata), and burrowing legless and wormlike caecilians (Gymnophiona). There are actually 73 families and 7,292 species of amphibian in the world, but many are not as well known. Let’s deconstruct what is an amphibian and look at these animals in greater detail below.
Why are amphibian eggs important?
In caecilians, newts and salamanders, the female usually provides protection whereas in frogs and toads, the male protects the eggs from predators. Because amphibian eggs lack shells, protection is very important to ensure the eggs do not dehydrate or become infected by fungi, as well as being eaten by predators.
Why are amphibians in danger of extinction?
Because of their special skin, they require very specific living conditions. Too much sun can damage their cells, and too much wind can dry their skin and dehydrate them. As a result, amphibians are very susceptible to their habitats being disturbed or contaminated with chemicals like weed killers. This is the main reason over half of all frog species are in danger of extinction.
How do amphibians breathe?
Some amphibians draw in oxygen through their skin and adults are able to breathe through both their lungs and their skin. As blood flows through an amphibians gills at the same time water flows over the outside, oxygen passes out of the water straight into the amphibians bloodstream.
Why do amphibians change color?
Amphibians color varies. Most are brightly coloured, which helps to warn potential predators to stay away. Some also change the color of their skin, which is a response to temperature changes. Not only this, but some, such as snakes and lizards, shed their skin, which helps to keep their skin healthy.
What is the nervous system of amphibians?
It is believed amphibians are capable of perceiving pain. The brain consists of equal parts, cerebrum, midbrain and cerebellum. Various parts of the cerebrum process sensory input, such as smell in the olfactory lobe and sight in the optic lobe, and it is additionally the centre of behaviour and learning. The cerebellum is the center of muscular coordination and the medulla oblongata controls some organ functions including heartbeat and respiration. The brain sends signals through the spinal cord and nerves to regulate activity in the rest of the body. The pineal body, known to regulate sleep patterns in humans, is thought to produce the hormones involved in hibernation and aestivation in amphibians.
What is an amphibian?
Amphibians are ectothermic, tetrapod vertebrates of the class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal or freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Thus amphibians typically start out as larvae living in water, ...
How big are frogs?
Members of the family Bufonidae are known as the "true toads". Frogs range in size from the 30-centimetre (12 in) Goliath frog ( Conraua goliath) of West Africa to the 7.7-millimetre (0.30 in) Paedophryne amauensis, first described in Papua New Guinea in 2012, which is also the smallest known vertebrate.
What is the origin of amphibians?
The relative scarcity of fossil evidence precludes precise dating, but the most recent molecular study, based on multilocus sequence typing, suggests a Late Carboniferous/ Early Permian origin for extant amphibians. The temnospondyl Eryops had sturdy limbs to support its body on land.
What are the defense mechanisms of amphibians?
Amphibians have soft bodies with thin skins , and lack claws, defensive armour, or spines. Nevertheless, they have evolved various defence mechanisms to keep themselves alive. The first line of defence in salamanders and frogs is the mucous secretion that they produce. This keeps their skin moist and makes them slippery and difficult to grip. The secretion is often sticky and distasteful or toxic. Snakes have been observed yawning and gaping when trying to swallow African clawed frogs ( Xenopus laevis ), which gives the frogs an opportunity to escape. Caecilians have been little studied in this respect, but the Cayenne caecilian ( Typhlonectes compressicauda) produces toxic mucus that has killed predatory fish in a feeding experiment in Brazil. In some salamanders, the skin is poisonous. The rough-skinned newt ( Taricha granulosa) from North America and other members of its genus contain the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX), the most toxic non-protein substance known and almost identical to that produced by pufferfish. Handling the newts does not cause harm, but ingestion of even the most minute amounts of the skin is deadly. In feeding trials, fish, frogs, reptiles, birds and mammals were all found to be susceptible. The only predators with some tolerance to the poison are certain populations of common garter snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis ). In locations where both snake and salamander co-exist, the snakes have developed immunity through genetic changes and they feed on the amphibians with impunity. Coevolution occurs with the newt increasing its toxic capabilities at the same rate as the snake further develops its immunity. Some frogs and toads are toxic, the main poison glands being at the side of the neck and under the warts on the back. These regions are presented to the attacking animal and their secretions may be foul-tasting or cause various physical or neurological symptoms. Altogether, over 200 toxins have been isolated from the limited number of amphibian species that have been investigated.
What is the circulatory system of juvenile amphibians?
Juvenile amphibian circulatory systems are single loop systems which resemble fish. 3 – Two chambered heart. Red indicates oxygenated blood, and blue represents oxygen depleted blood. Amphibians have a juvenile stage and an adult stage, and the circulatory systems of the two are distinct.
What is the smallest amphibian in the world?
The smallest amphibian (and vertebrate) in the world is a microhylid frog from New Guinea ( Paedophryne amauensis) first discovered in 2012. It has an average length of 7.7 mm (0.30 in) and is part of a genus that contains four of the world's ten smallest frog species.
What is an amphibian frog?
For the article summary, see Amphibian summary . Amphibian, (class Amphibia), any member of the group of vertebrate animals characterized by their ability to exploit both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
What is the name of the amphibian?
The name amphibian, derived from the Greek amphibios meaning “living a double life,” reflects this dual life strategy—though some species are permanent land dwellers, while other species have a completely aquatic mode of existence. Banded fire salamander ( Salamandra terrestris ).
How many species of amphibians are there?
Approximately 8,100 species of living amphibians are known. First appearing about 340 million years ago during the Middle Mississippian Epoch, they were one of the earliest groups to diverge from ancestral fish-tetrapod stock during the evolution of animals from strictly aquatic forms to terrestrial types. Today amphibians are represented by frogs ...
Do amphibians evolve from fishes?
Though some aspects of the biology and anatomy of the various amphibian groups might demonstrate features possessed by reptilian ancestors, amphibians are not the intermedi ate step in the evolution of reptiles from fishes. Modern amphibians are united by several unique traits.
Do squid have a hearing system?
They typically have a moist skin and rely heavily on cutaneous (skin-surface) respiration. They possess a double-channeled hearing system, green rods in their retinas to discriminate hues, and pedicellate (two-part) teeth. Some of these traits may have also existed in extinct groups.
Do amphibians breed in water?
Many amphibians are obligate breeders in standing water . Eggs are laid in water, and the developing larvae are essentially free-living embryos; they must find their own food, escape predators, and perform other life functions while they continue to develop. As the larvae complete their embryonic development, they adopt an adult body plan that allows them to leave aquatic habitats for terrestrial ones. Even though this metamorphosis from aquatic to terrestrial life occurs in members of all three amphibian groups, there are many variants, and some taxa bear their young alive. Indeed, the roughly 8,100 living species of amphibians display more evolutionary experiments in reproductive mode than any other vertebrate group. Some taxa have aquatic eggs and larvae, whereas others embed their eggs in the skin on the back of the female; these eggs hatch as tadpoles or miniature frogs. In other groups, the young develop within the oviduct, with the embryos feeding on the wall of the oviduct. In some species, eggs develop within the female’s stomach.
How do reptiles use their senses?
As in humans, the senses of smell and taste work together. However, in reptiles, these senses are thought to be interrelated and not separate senses. Reptiles have a specialized chemically sensitive organ called the Jacobson’s organ that is thought to be able to convert tastes into smells, and boosts his awareness of his surroundings. Snakes and lizards flick their tongue, capturing particles in the air. They then press these particles against the Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of the mouth, which processes the particles and provides the reptile with necessary environmental information. This organ helps the reptile find prey, find appropriate mates and can even detect nearby predators.
Why do reptiles have smaller eyes?
The pupils of nocturnal species tend to be relatively large. This improves the reptile’s ability to gather light but reduces their visual acuity. Many nocturnal species have slit-shaped pupils.
Why do snakes have yellow eyes?
As with other reptiles, snakes have a yellow filter that absorbs ultraviolet light and protects the eyes. Due to limited eye mobility, snakes use a combination of infrared vision and chemosensation to find their prey and recognize features in their environment.
How long have reptiles been around?
According to fossil records, reptiles first appeared on earth more than 300 million years ago . Like all other living organisms, they have survived by acquiring information about the environment through the senses – sight, smell and hearing – and a few other specialized senses for life in the reptile world.
What organ does a snake press?
Snakes and lizards flick their tongue, capturing particles in the air. They then press these particles against the Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of the mouth, which processes the particles and provides the reptile with necessary environmental information.
What organs are sensitive to heat?
Snakes have a special organ that is sensitive to heat. These organs line the lips of some boas and pythons and are also located on either side of the head of pit vipers. These organs sense infrared radiation, picking up on the warmth of nearby animals.
Can snakes see light?
Vision in snakes varies tremendously. Some are completely blind, some can only detect light and dark, and still others have very keen vision. For most, their vision is adequate but not sharp. They can track movement, but they cannot differentiate between a hamster and a gerbil.
What is the difference between frogs and toads?
Toads are actually just a type of frog (all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads!). Toads have different distinctive features than what typically characterizes a frog. Often toads have drier, bumpier “warty” skin and prefer drier habitats. They usually have shorter hind limbs and rounder stouter bodies than most typical frogs. Toads have poison glands in their skin to keep predators from eating them and oftentimes produce a funny smell when handled. Sometimes there are frogs that are called toads but are technically frogs, this can be confusing… and there are frogs that have bumps on their skin and toads that have smooth skin. And there is the Horny toad which is not a frog or toad, it is actually a reptile!
Do frogs breathe when they are hibernating?
Yes, even amphibians that hibernate in the mud underwater breathe during hibernation. Since amphibians can breathe through their skin, they can absorb oxygen in the water during hibernation. They have to hibernate in water that has a good amount of oxygen in it and sometimes will actually swim around in the water during winter to maintain proper oxygen levels. There are a few frogs that can stop their heart and breathing completely and still survive. They are able to do this by keeping a high level of glucose in their blood that acts like antifreeze and protects their vital organs. When the weather warms up, they wake up and their heart and breathing will resume normally.
Do frogs sleep?
Nobody really knows! At this point in time, there has been very little research in frog sleep patterns. It is known that they close their eyes, but no confirming brain scans have determined whether or not they actually have a true sleep period.
How do frogs hear?
Frogs do not have external ears like us. However, they do have eardrums and an inner ear. The frog ear is called a tympanum and is the circle you see behind a frog’s eye. Some frogs have small tympanums, while others have ones that are larger than their eyes. The size of the tympanum and the distance between them are relative to the frequency and wavelength of the species male call. Their eardrum works like a regular eardrum with one very special adaptation…it is actually connected to their lungs. The lungs vibrate and are almost as sensitive to hearing as the eardrum. This allows frogs to make really loud sounds without hurting their own eardrums! The lungs are capable of doing this by equalizing the pressure differences between the outer surface of the eardrum and the inner surface of the eardrum. This adaptation may also be important in a frogs’ ability to locate where other sounds are coming from.
How can you tell the difference between male and female frogs?
It depends on the species. It can be really hard to tell the males from the females because the sex organs are internal for both males and females. But in many species, the female is larger than the male and the males sometimes have larger toe pads used during mating to grab onto the female. Males also call to attract females and defend their territory, so if you see a frog calling it is probably a male. The throats of many male frogs are darker than the females. In certain species, it can be easy to tell the difference. In Bullfrogs, the males are larger and have a larger tympanum (these are ears-the circles located directly behind the eyes). In many tropical frogs, the males have brighter more vibrant colors. Here in Washington State, we have the tailed frog, which is actually the only frog that has an external sex organ and only the males have these misnamed ‘tails.’
Do all frogs lay eggs in water?
Most frogs’ lay their eggs in water, but there are exceptions. Frog eggs do not have a shell, so they need some kind of moisture to keep them from drying out until they hatch. Some frogs have come up with amazing ways to keep their eggs wet besides laying them directly in water. There are frogs that lay eggs under leaves above water in damp rainforests and when they hatch the tadpoles fall into the water where they can develop into little froglets. There are some frogs that carry their eggs on their back and the male Darwin frog actually swallows the eggs and keeps them in his vocal sac until they hatch!
Why are frogs slimy?
Some frogs are slimy because they are covered in a mucous coating. This coating helps them keep their skin moist which helps them breathe through their skin. The mucous often contains other chemicals, like antibacterial or anti fungals to help protect the frog. Other frogs actually secrete a waxy coating that they spread across their body to help retain moisture in areas that have high temperatures or if they are active during the day.
What do amphibians eat?
Most amphibians will eat almost any live food that they can manage to catch and swallow. Insects, spiders, snails, slugs, and earthworms form the main part of the diet of most adult amphibians. Larger species, like the ornate horned toad, will eat larger prey, sometimes even mice. Some amphibians actively hunt for food, while others prefer to lie in wait and ambush their prey. Many have a long, strong, sticky tongue, which they use to catch their prey. Unusually, the tongue is attached to the front of the mouth instead of the back.
What does a frog open its mouth for?
The frog opens its mouth wide, ready to catch the pill bug.
What happens if a frog hits a leaf instead of a pill bug?
If the frog mistimes its jump or hits the leaf instead, the pill bug will escape being a tasty snack.
Do frogs see pill bugs?
Frogs have a “see it and seize it” strategy when it comes to eating. As soon as this European common frog sees the pill bug, it leaps toward it. It has to judge the distance it needs to jump and when to open its mouth with split-second accuracy.
What are the five senses that humans have?
Radar guns, magnetic compasses, and infrared detectors are all man-made inventions that enable humans to stretch beyond the five natural senses of sight, taste, smell, feel, and hearing . But these gadgets are far from original. Evolution equipped some animals with these "extra" senses millions ...
What is the magnetic sense?
Magnetic Sense. The flow of molten material in the earth's core and the flow of ions in the earth's atmosphere generate a magnetic field that surrounds the planet. Just as compasses point humans toward magnetic north, animals possessing a magnetic sense can orient themselves in specific directions and navigate long distances. ...
What animals use echolocation?
Echolocation. Toothed whales (a family of marine mammals that includes dolphins), bats, and some ground- and tree-dwelling shrews use echolocation to navigate their surroundings. These animals emit high-frequency sound pulses, either very high-pitched to human ears or completely inaudible, and then detect the echoes produced by those sounds.
What animals use electric fields?
The omnipresent electric fields produced by some animals function like senses. Electric eels and some species of rays have modified muscle cells that produce electric charges strong enough to shock and sometimes kill their prey. Other fish (including many sharks) use weaker electric fields to help them navigate murky waters, home in on prey or monitor their surroundings. For instance, bony fish (and some frogs) possess "lateral lines" on either side of their bodies, a row of sensory pores in the skin that detect electrical currents in the water.
Do rattlesnakes see at night?
But at night, these reptiles employ infrared sensory organs to detect and hunt warm-blooded prey that would otherwise be completely invisible.
Do animals have magnetic senses?
Unfortunately, the details about how these animals actually sense the earth's magnetic field are not yet known.
Amphibian Anatomy
- Amphibians are known for their damp smooth skin and lack of scales, feathers or hair. Their moist skin is kept this way by special glands under the surface of the skin that produce a sticky substance called mucus. The skin is also permeable, meaning air can pass through the skin, and many amphibians therefore breathe through their skin instead of t...
Diet
- Amphibians are carnivores and feast on smaller prey, such as insects and worms. However, bigger species, such as frogs and toads, may eat other backboned animals like mice, birds and small reptiles. Many have large mouths to feed and one of these meals will satisfy their appetite for a good period of time and give them enough energy. Amphibian larvae eat aquatic invertebra…
Amphibian Reproduction and Life Cycle
- Amphibians breed in the spring and lay eggs that are jelly-covered, called spawn, in still, fresh water, often among water plants. The young are called tadpoles and can only live in water. These aquatic larvae have feathery, external gills and tails, but soon develop lungs and legs by metamorphosis and leave the water. Amphibian eggs lack a shell, so parental protection is impo…
Habitat
- Adults are able to live both in water and on land. At the the larval stage, they can only live in water. However, at the adult stage, amphibians spend most of their life on land, usually in damp habitats like woods, only returning to the water to breed in the spring. More than 75 percent of all toad and frog species in the world live in tropical rainforests. A few species may be found in water at alm…
Summary of Amphibian Fun Facts!
- The endangered Chinese giant salamander is the world’s largest amphibian, and can measure as long as 1.3 meters!
- The word ‘amphibian’ comes from the Greek word ‘amphibios’ meaning ‘double life’ as these animals are able to live both on land and in water.
- They were the first land animals and have kept close links to water where their ancestors orig…
- The endangered Chinese giant salamander is the world’s largest amphibian, and can measure as long as 1.3 meters!
- The word ‘amphibian’ comes from the Greek word ‘amphibios’ meaning ‘double life’ as these animals are able to live both on land and in water.
- They were the first land animals and have kept close links to water where their ancestors originated.
- When the weather turns very cold, they hibernate by burying themselves in the mud at the bottom of ponds or under stones or logs.
Overview
Feeding and diet
With a few exceptions, adult amphibians are predators, feeding on virtually anything that moves that they can swallow. The diet mostly consists of small prey that do not move too fast such as beetles, caterpillars, earthworms and spiders. The sirens (Siren spp.) often ingest aquatic plant material with the invertebrates on which they feed and a Brazilian tree frog (Xenohyla truncata) i…
Classification
Evolutionary history
Characteristics
Anatomy and physiology
Reproduction
Life cycle