Animal Types Amphibians

Objectives Explain how Amphibians breath Describe Amphibians metamorphosis Describe the 3 groups of amphibians, and give an example of each Explain why amphibians are ecological indicators

Did You Know??? The Ornate Horned Frog found in Argentina, can eat an entire mouse with one swallow

Amphibians The word Amphibian means “double life” because amphibians live on land and water Their eggs do not have a shell to prevent water loss, this means that eggs must be laid in water

Thin Skin Amphibian skin is thin, smooth and moist They drink water and breath through their skin

Characteristics of Amphibians – Double Life Metamorphosis – Changes an animal goes through in its life Most amphibians change form as they grow older After hatching a frog embryo becomes a tadpole A tadpole has gills and a tail

Double Life As the frog grows, it loses its tail and gills This change is called Metamorphosis

Types of Amphibians There are 3 types of Amphibians – Caecilians, Salamanders and Frogs

Tadpoles Tadpole found in Pennypack Park Tadpole from the classroom

Caecilians Caecilians look like snakes or earth worms They live in tropical environments They hunt small invertebrates

Salamanders Salamanders live under stones and logs in the woods of North America Salamander are very much like prehistoric amphibians but much smaller Some salamanders breath through their skin and have no lungs

This is a Salamander found in Pennypack Park in the Fall

Frogs Toads are a type of frog, with drier bumpier skin They can live anywhere on earth except very cold climates Frogs have very strong legs for jumping  

Frogs - Ears They also have well developed ears for listening to other frogs

Frogs – Vocal Sacs Frogs have a Vocal Sac that holds air against there vocal cords When they sing they can be marking territory or attracting mates Their songs are Innate

This is a Green Frog found in Pennypack Park in the summer time

This is a Bullfrog that can be found in Pennypack Park in the summer.

Frog at the Baltimore Aquarium

Review Amphibian eggs have no shell and must be laid in water so they don’t dry out Amphibians breath and drink through their thin skin Most amphibians go through a metamorphosis The three types of amphibians are Caecilians, Salamanders and Frogs