“The Secret Lives of Amphibians: Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know”

An amphibian is a type of vertebrate that lives both in water and on land during different stages of its life. They are cold-blooded animals (their body temperature changes with the change in environment). Too much hot temperature can damage their body cells. The word “amphibian” is derived from the Greek word “amphibios,” which means “living a double life.” Their history of appearance was 370 million years ago. In the early stages of life, amphibians live in water. As adults, they primarily live on land but return to water during the breeding season to lay eggs. When they live in water, they respire through gills, and when they live on land, they respire through lungs. Their skin is thin, moist, and permeable. Some species of this category used their skin for respiration. Approximately 8,500 species are present worldwide. They also produce protein using the skin gland. They die when their natural habitat is disturbed. Some species of this category are in danger due to disturbance in their habitat.

Types Of Amphibians:

There are three types of amphibians.

• Anura
• Caudata
• Gymnohiona

Anura:

Frogs and Toads come under this category. They have long hind legs and smooth skin. Their tail is absent.

American Bullfrogs and Common toads are examples of this group.

Caudata:

Salamanders and Newts come under this category. They have elongated bodies with tails, and their skin is moist.

Tiger Salamander and Japanese Giant are examples of this group.

Gymnophiona:

Caecilians come under this category. They are worm-like structures mostly found under the soil.

Common Caecilian is an example of this group.

Life Cycle Of Amphibians:

Amphibians have three life stages in their life cycle

Egg Stage.

The first stage occurs during the breeding season. At this stage, they typically lay eggs in water.

Larval Stage.

In this stage, eggs start hatching and become larvae (tadpoles). These tadpoles live in water and use gills for respiration. Their appearance is like that of fish. They are free to move anywhere in the water and search for food. Some species go through a process of metamorphosis (change in body structure).

Adult Stage.

At this stage, the bodies of most amphibians are significantly different from their larval form. It looks like two different animals, not the same one. For example, tadpoles transform into adult frogs.

Benefits Of Amphibians:

• Amphibians are a significant factor in our environment and provide many benefits. Here are a few examples:
• They balance the cycle of nature by becoming the predator and prey.
• They eat insects such as mosquitoes, which helps reduce the spread of malaria. They also eat those insects that harm agriculture.
• Their skin has some substance that helps to cure diseases like AIDS.

Interesting facts about amphibians:

• They drink water not directly but absorb water by using their moist skin from the environment.
• Some species can regenerate body parts such as limbs, tails, and even hearts.
• They use body posture, visual signals, and chemical signals for communication.
• Some species can survive in extreme cold weather.
• The sensory system of caecilians is highly developed.
• Some species have a lifespan of more than 40 years.
• Some species can change their skin color to camouflage or express mode expression.

FAQs

Q.1. How do amphibians respire?

Ans. Amphibians respire through their lungs or gills.

Q.2. What do amphibians eat?

Ans. They eat insects like mosquitoes.

Q.3. Where do they live?

Ans. They live on land or in water.

Q.4. How can we help protect amphibians?

Ans. We can help them by protecting their natural habitat.

Q.5 Are turtle amphibians?

Ans. No turtle belongs to reptiles.

Q.6 What are the examples of amphibians vs reptiles?

Ans. Frog is amphibian and turtle is reptile.

References

• ^{Dorit, R. L.; Walker, W.F.; Barnes, R. D. (1991). Zoology. Saunders College Publishing. ISBN 978-0-03-030504-7.}