Amphibians

Start with the main features

The Amphibians page brings together resources on features, classification and identification. A useful starting point is the mind map titled Amphibians that branches into characteristics and classification. It includes breathing through lungs and skin, bare skin and groups with or without tails. Its examples include frogs, toads, salamanders and newts.

Another mind map titled Amphibians focuses on skin, nutrition and body temperature. Comparing the branches can help you see how the resources organize the same topic in different ways.

Move from maps to flashcards

Once you have an overview, use the flashcard deck Amphibian Flash Cards to work through terms about characteristics and classification. An Amphibians deck also covers skin and groups including Anura, Caudata and Gymnophiona. Return to a map when you want to connect a term with a broader group or feature.

For more identification practice, another Amphibians deck includes terms such as nuptial pads, costal grooves and parotoid glands, alongside the common mudpuppy. The page also lists Amphibian Identification and Amphibian species flashcards.

Check your understanding with quizzes

The quiz on the main characteristics of amphibians is a place to check an overview. The quiz described as the second part of an amphibians lecture includes a question about the pectoral girdle and skull. A separate quiz covers salamander families and includes scientific and common names.

After a quiz, look back at the relevant map or flashcards and compare the terms. This gives you a way to move between a broad outline and more specific identification material.

Explore this section of Vertebrates

Amphibians is one section of the Vertebrates unit in Biology and natural sciences. The resources on this page offer different ways to study that section, from a visual overview to cards and questions about particular features and families.

Choose a resource that fits what you want to practice and explore the page at your own pace.