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Amphibian
Facts
When talking about frogs, toads or salamanders, you will probably have
some questions. These are some basic facts about amphibians--frogs, toads,
salamanders and caecilians.
If you have further questions, check out the 'Frog'-quently
Asked Questions or Expert Q&A
Did you know amphibians include...
frogs, toads, salamanders and caecilians. The word means
double life--many species spend part of their life in aquatic (water)
and terrestrial (land) environments. Because their skin lacks a shell,
scales or outer drier covering, most amphibians live in wet or damp situations
to prevent dehydration.
Did you know metamorphosis is when...
various animals undergo major changes in their body appearance and structure
as they grow. They undergo meta (change) in their morpho (form).
For instance, frogs lay eggs which grow into tadpoles, which undergo a
dramatic change into froglets and finally grow to be an adult frog. The
key thing in metamorphosis is a rapid, drastic change in form, for example
from the tadpole to the frog. Butterflies are another example of animals
that undergo metamorphosis, from a caterpillar to a flying butterfly.
Did you know a bio-indicator is...
a living (bio means life) creature that is
indicating or telling you something about the area that it lives in. It
can be something positive (good) or negative (bad). For example, having
lots of frogs in an area tells you and scientists that the environment
is healthy and complete for the frogs. If for some reason frogs are suddenly
missing from an area or their population is declining (shrinking), then
this is telling you that their environment is changing. Sometimes bio-indicators
can be used to show us that the quality of the air we breathe or water
we drink may not be of a high quality.
Did you know frogs are good bio-indicators
because...
1. they spend part of their life cycle
on land and some in water
2. have a permeable skin (which allows substances
to move relatively freely into its body) and
3. absorb and concentrate (make stronger) toxins
(poisonous substances) in their fatty tissues
Did you know amphibians have been
around for...
an estimated 350 million years. The earliest known frog appeared about
190 million years ago, during what is known as the late Jurassic period.
Did you know...
- the earliest known frog appeared during the late Jurassic period,
about 190 million years ago
- some frogs have claws, like the African clawed toad
- there are toads that obtain over half the water they need through
a baggy patch on their pelvis that they press against moist surfaces
- the Mascarene frog holds the record for leaping..17.5 feet in a single
jump
- a hibernating frog needs so little oxygen that it breathes through
its skin- this process is called cutaneous gas exchange
- during extensive periods of heat or drought, frogs can enter a period
of dormancy similar to hibernation called estivation
Check out our 'Frog'-quently Asked Questions
section for more information. For some other strange and interesting information
on amphibians, check out this
web site.
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