Amphibians The word amphibian comes fro the Greek word amphibious- meaning double life
Lifestyle spend part of their life on land part of their life spent in water ectotherms hibernate estivate
appearance smooth, moist skin no scales thin skinned for oxygen exchange
heart three chambered heart one chamber receives oxygen filled blood one chamber receives carbon dioxide filled blood the third chamber pumps oxygen to body tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs
Reproduction depend on water for reproduction their eggs dry out easily external fertilization
Development metamorphosis fertilized eggs become a tadpole tadpoles grow into the adult frog with legs, 3 chambered hear and lungs In salamanders the young look just like the adults
Biological Indicators Easily affected by changes in the environment they absorb things directly through their skin making them susceptible to pollutants Their eggs are exposed in the water and can be easily affected by pesticides