AMPHIBIANS

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Amphibians
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Amphibians are old! The earliest amphibians appeared around 370 million years ago, developing from lobe-finned fish, that used their fins to crawl on ocean floors. Amphibians ruled the land until reptiles and mammals came along. Now, they are much smaller in size, and less diverse: today almost 90% of all species of amphibian are frogs. Amphibians are cold-blooded tetrapods – four-limbed vertebrates – that typically hatch as larva in water. As they mature, they transform and develop the ability to breath air and walk on land (though they often remain adept swimmers). They are highly sensitive to their environments compared to many other species, and can serve as “canaries in the coalmine” for ecological disturbances.


Featured Amphibians

African Clawed Frog
(Xenopus laevis)

This species of frog is completely aquatic and has no tongue or teeth. They shove food into their mouth and down their…
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American Bullfrog
(Rana catesbeiana)

These territorial frogs are named for their loud, deep call that reminds some of the roar a bull. They are often found…
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American Toad
(Anaxyrus americanus)

The American toad is a commonly occurring species throughout the Eastern United States and Canada and they can live almost…
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Axolotl
(Ambystoma mexicanum)

These completely aquatic salamanders are also known as the Mexican salamander or Mexican walking fish. They are a neotenic…
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Barking Tree Frog
(Hyla gratiosa)

This species of frog is native to the Southeastern United States. They are variable in color but recognizable by the dark,…
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Budgett’s Frog
(Lepidobatrachus laevis)

These frogs, sometimes called hippo frogs, are natives of Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.  Budgett’s…
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Cane Toad
(Rhinella marina)

The Cane Toad is a very large, terrestrial toad native to the extreme southern United States and Central and South America.…
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Chinese Fire-Bellied Newt
(Cynops orientalis)

These small newts are black with bright-orange coloration on their ventral sides which they use to ward off predators…
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Coastal Plains Toad
(Bufo nebulifer)

The range of this widespread toad extends from the state of Veracruz in Mexico, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico,…
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Eastern Newt
(Notophthalmus viridescens)

Also called red-spotted newts, these beautiful amphibians reside in lakes, ponds, streams, or nearby wet forests. They…
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Fire Salamander
(Salamandra salamandra)

This enigmatic species is arguably the best known salamander species in Europe. It is black with varying proportions of…
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Gray Tree Frog
(Hyla versicolor)

This small, arboreal frog is widespread in the Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada. They are able to camouflage…
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Greater Siren
(Siren lacertina)

These eel-like amphibians are one of the largest amphibians in North America. They are aquatic and can be found in streams,…
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Green and Golden Bell Frog
(Litoria aurea)

Even though they are perfectly good climbers, this species of tree frog prefers to live on the ground. They are one of…
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Horned Marsupial Frog
(Gastrotheca cornuta)

The horned marsupial frog is an arboreal species native to the tropical moist lowland forests and montane cloud forests…
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Leopard Frog
(Rana sphenocephala)

Leopard frogs are common across much of the U.S. They are named for their striking green and black leopard-like markings…
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Mandarin Newt
(Tylototriton shanjing)

This uniquely beautiful amphibian is also known as the emperor newt. Their bright orange glands, arranged in two parallel…
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Orange-bellied Frog
(Geocrinia vitelline)

This frogs are endemic to a very small area in Southwestern Australia. Though drably colored on their dorsal surfaces,…
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Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad
(Bombina orientalis)

Actually a type of frog, these brightly colored, semi-aquatic species are found in Korea, northeastern China, and adjacent…
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Pacman Frog
(Ceratophrys cranwelli)

Also known as South American Horned Frogs, these frogs grow to a massive size and have insatiable appetites. Pacman frogs…
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Pine Barrens Tree Frog
(Hyla andersonii)

These attractive little green frogs can be distinguished from the American green tree frog by the white-bordered lavender…
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Pixie Frog
(Pyxicephalus adspersus)

The Pixie Frog, also known as the African Bullfrog, is the largest species of frog in South Africa. These giants will…
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Red Eyed Tree Frog
(Agalychnis callidryas)

The Red-eyed tree is an arboreal inhabitant of tropical forests from Mexico through Central America to Columbia. They…
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Tiger Salamander
(Ambystoma tigrinum)

Tiger salamanders are type of mole salamander native to North America named for their beautiful coloration – usually…
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Tomato Frog
(Dyscophus antongilii)

These bright red to yellowish-orange colored frogs are native to the forests and fields of Madagascar that get heavy rain…
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Troschel’s Tree Frog
(Hypsiboas calcaratus)

This species of frog is native to South America and inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland forest and river environments.…
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Western Toad
(Bufo boreas)

This species is a large toad native to western North America. It will eat any kind of insect it can catch and is a powerful…
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White-Lipped Tree Frog
(Litoria infrafrenata)

The species of frog, also known as the giant tree frog, is endemic to the rainforests of Northern Queensland, New Guinea,…
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Whites Tree Frog
(Litoria caerulea)

Also known as the Australian, or Dumpy tree frog, is a docile, long-lived frog that is often found near human dwellings.…
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Interesting Facts

Amphibian skin is not covered in hair, feathers, or scales. It is thin and permeable, which allows them to actually breathe and drink through their skin! Their skin is not watertight, but they have mucous glands that produce “moisturizing” secretions to help keep them from drying out. As many amphibians have poisonous skin, their skin also serves as a handy defense mechanism… and on top of that, it serves as a tasty treat after they shed it (it is not uncommon for amphibians eat their own sloughed off skin)!

 


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