Amphibians are vertebrate animals that need a humid environment to survive. This group of animals includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Currently there are more than 4000 species around the world, being distributed in most continents except in the arctic regions and some arid deserts. In addition, all of them are capable of absorbing water and breathing through their delicate skin.
Amphibians, especially toads and frogs, are essential for the ecosystem and the terrestrial aquatic environment, as they mostly feed on other arthropods and invertebrates.
Among some of their peculiarities, amphibians have special skin glands that produce proteins. Some carry oxygen, carbon dioxide or water, while others fight to stop possible infections caused by fungi or bacteria.
Another characteristic of amphibians is their life cycle and subsequent metamorphosis. They hatch from the egg to become aquatic larvae (at this stage, toads and frogs are called tadpoles). Later on, they begin to develop limbs and lungs, so the young move to adulthood and begin to live most of the time out of the water.
Also, like reptiles, amphibians are cold-blooded. This means that they need very specific living conditions, otherwise they could not survive. That is why many species of frogs are currently in danger of extinction, since their natural habitats have been destroyed or contaminated.
If you want to discover some curious facts about amphibians, don’t miss the following gallery. They are incredible animals!
