Amp.+Characteristics

These are some characteristics of amphibians!! Back to Home Page


 * 1) - METAMORPHOSIS

-the cycle of a creature changing into another form -tadpole becomes frog, toad, salamander or newt -tadpoles have gills for breathing -tadpoles have fins for swimming

2. - BREATHING METHOD -amphibians can breathe in more than one way -as young, amphibians breathe through gills, like fish -after undergoing metamorphosis, most develop lungs and can breathe on land -most adult amphibians take in air through nostrils, into lungs, like mammals -some salamanders remain lungless -some adult salamanders retain gills -amphibians also can breathe through their skin -called cutaneous respiration

3. - COLD-BLOODED -characteristic of amphibians as well as reptiles -"cold-blooded" means that the amphibian's body temperature depends on the external temperature -called ectothermy -due to cold-blooded nature, amphibians move to cooler places when they get too hot -amphibians that live in places with cold winters hibernate -amphibians live in every place on planet earth EXCEPT where the ground is frozen year round or in the desert

4. - SLIPPERY SKIN common to most amphibians due to: -the wet and moist places they live -mucus glands

5. - AMPHIBIAN DIET -all amphibians eat insects, worms, snakes, or other small creatures -amphibians DO NOT drink water; they absorb it through their skin

6. - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES -amphibians lay eggs in the water (reptiles lay eggs on land) -amphibians have soft pads on their toes (reptiles have claws)

7. - MISCELLANEOUS AMPHIBIAN CHARACTERISTICS -some amphibians have poison glands -poison may be strong or weak -poison may cause extreme sickness or numbness in predators -amphibians are mainly defenseless -they protect themselves by: -not moving -blending in with their surroundings -playing dead -diving underwater -some amphibians can hear not only sounds humans can hear, but also vibrations in the ground -helps amphibian avoid predators -helps amphibians catch prey