The Life Cycle of Amphibians

The Life Cycle of Amphibians

1. what are an amphibian? the amphibians are a Cold-blooded vertebrates

2. Metamorphosis:

   • Most amphibians go through a process called metamorphosis during their life cycle.

3. What Are the Different Kinds of Amphibians?

   • There are three groups of amphibians:: frogs and toads, salamanders and caecilians. Animals in the three groups look very different from one another
     • Frogs
       • Adult frogs have flat heads no neck and no tail. They have four legs.
         • Many frogs have webbed hind feet to help them swim when they are in water.
         • On land a frog uses its short front legs to prop up its body for sitting.
       • The biggest frog is the goliath frog. This frog lives in Africa. Its body grows to be about 30 centimeters 12 inches long.
       • how are frogs born?
         • The eggs look like tiny black dots inside the jellylike substance. The tiny dots grow bigger and bigger.
         • Newborn baby frogs are called tadpoles or pollywogs. Tadpoles are the larval stage in the life cycle of a frog
         • Most frog eggs float in ponds or streams. Globs of what looks like jelly protect the frog eggs.
     • Toads
       • toads do not spend much time in water.
       • They have dry skin that is covered in bumps called warts
       • They are usually brown or gray.
       • how are toads born?
         • Toads start from eggs. Long strands of jelly protect toad eggs.
         • Often toad tadpoles hatch from eggs laid in pools made by spring rains
     • Salamander
       • They have slim bodies and long tails. They have smooth moist skin.
       • They usually use their tails for swimming. They also use their tails for keeping their balance as they walk.
       • They usually hide during the day and come out at night.
       • They cannot harm people.
       • how are salamander born?
         • Salamanders hatch from eggs laid in water or on wet ground.
           • Salamander females of different species have different ways of protecting their eggs.
           • In some species a poisonous jelly protects the eggs.
           • Most salamanders do have a larval stage.
             • Salamander larvae look like adult salamanders with gills.
             • Some salamander larvae have gills that look like feathers on the sides of their heads.
     • Caecilians
       • Some kinds of caecilians live in burrows underground. Some kinds live in water.
       • The head of a caecilian is hard and bony. It rams its head into soil to dig tunnels. Its jaws are lined with sharp teeth
       • Caecilians do not have good eyesight. Some have tiny eyes in their heads. Others have skin over their eyes.
       • Instead of ears, they have tentacles on their heads that help them smell and locate their prey.
       • A caecilian’s skin is shiny and has folds that look like rings. Caecilians come in different colors including brown black gray orange or yellow
       • how are caecilians born?
         • Some caecilians hatch from eggs. Others are born live from the female’s body.
           • When caecilians hatch they become larvae
             • The larvae have gills for breathing and a finlike tail for swimming