Amphibians are small vertebrates that spend part of their lives underwater, such as frogs, toads and salamanders.
They possess gills to breathe underwater and fins for swimming. As they mature, their bodies undergo changes known as metamorphosis. They may develop lungs to breathe air and legs for walking on land.
They live in the water
Amphibians (scientific class Amphibia) prefer living in water, a strategy which is evident by their name: amphibios – meaning “of both kinds.”. The most famous amphibians are frogs, oacian, toads, and many more
Freshwater turtles lay jelly-covered eggs. The larvae, known as tadpoles, look like legless blobs with tails and possess feathery external gills to extract oxygen from water.
Tadpoles grow, developing legs and lungs to enable them to move on land. This process, known as metamorphosis, occurs in most amphibians.
Adult amphibians typically breathe through their skin, which allows oxygen to enter blood vessels near the surface. This is known as cutaneous respiration. Some also utilize buccal pumping, in which their nostrils draw in air and then push it through their lungs.
They are cold-blooded
Amphibians are cold-blooded animals, meaning their body temperature is mostly controlled by external factors. This differs from warm-blooded creatures like mammals and birds which can generate internal heat to regulate their body temperatures.
Some amphibians can generate some heat through their metabolism, however most depend on the environment for most of the energy required for survival. This adaptation allows them to thrive in a variety of climates from tropical rainforests to arctic tundra.
Cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish are the most common. Each of these creatures has evolved to survive in various habitats and requires unique methods for controlling their body temperature.
Reptiles and amphibians can raise their body temperature by basking in the sun. To cool off, they might take a dip in water or go underground or into caves to avoid exposure to elements. They could even hibernate, which is an extended state of dormancy that lasts several months.
They have gills
Amphibians are aquatic creatures that live both under water and on land. To breathe underwater, they have gills for breathing, as well as fins to aid with swimming.
They possess a soft skin which helps them keep warm and wet. Some amphibians also possess poison-producing glands in their skin which make them unpleasant to predators.
Adult amphibians go through a transformation called metamorphosis. As they mature, their bodies can develop lungs and legs so that they can breathe air on land.
Amphibians in their larval stages use gills to breathe under water. As they develop, these gills are replaced with air-breathing lungs and their tails (known as tadpoles) are reabsorbed into their limbs.
They have vomerine teeth
Amphibians possess an unusual set of teeth used for food: vomerine teeth. These can be found on the roof of frogs’ mouths.
They’re actually quite useful for holding prey while a frog feeds, as well as being essential in terms of smell.
European common frogs typically possess 30 teeth on the maxilla and 8 on the premaxilla; American bullfrogs possess slightly more teeth – between 60 to 70.
Frogs possess additional teeth that help them survive in the water. Furthermore, their mouths contain an organ that keeps them warm during winters.
Frogs use their teeth to maintain body temperature, helping them avoid freezing when temperatures drop outside. This explains how frogs can survive even harsh winters without harm.
