By Suzanne UhligBy Suzanne Uhlig

AMPHIBIAN (TWO LIVES)AMPHIBIAN (TWO LIVES)

That special someone for anyone - That special someone for anyone - includes about 4,800 species of includes about 4,800 species of salamanders and newts, frogs and salamanders and newts, frogs and toads, and caecilians toads, and caecilians

Versatile - live on water Versatile - live on water andand on land on land Typical life cycle - larvae stage, Typical life cycle - larvae stage,

metamorphosis, adult stagemetamorphosis, adult stage Cold-blooded (but that doesn't mean Cold-blooded (but that doesn't mean

cold-hearted)cold-hearted) Vertebrates (not spineless and will Vertebrates (not spineless and will

stand up for their mate) stand up for their mate)

HABITATHABITAT

Frogs - variety of habitats, from deserts to rain Frogs - variety of habitats, from deserts to rain forests, and usually breed in waterforests, and usually breed in water

Salamanders - mostly live in water but if found Salamanders - mostly live in water but if found on land then under rocks or logs on land then under rocks or logs

Caecilians - burrowers so usually found in Caecilians - burrowers so usually found in stream banks, under debris, or along root stream banks, under debris, or along root channelschannels

Damp habitats - Damp habitats - swamps, ponds, rain swamps, ponds, rain forestsforestsEven on land, still stay Even on land, still stay in places with high in places with high humidityhumidity

HOBBIESHOBBIES

Frogs - jumping, catching prey Frogs - jumping, catching prey with their tongueswith their tongues

Salamanders - hunting and Salamanders - hunting and catching prey with their tonguescatching prey with their tongues

Caecilians - burrowing Caecilians - burrowing undergroundunderground

Staying alive - decline in populations Staying alive - decline in populations habitat destructionhabitat destructionpollutionpollutionclimate changeclimate changedestruction of ozone layer destruction of ozone layer (ultraviolet rays harmful to eyes, (ultraviolet rays harmful to eyes, skin, eggs)skin, eggs)

GENEOLGYGENEOLGY

First vertebrates to live in water First vertebrates to live in water but venture on to land but venture on to land New habitat and places to liveNew habitat and places to live Protection from fish and sharksProtection from fish and sharks

Believed to have evolved from Believed to have evolved from either lungfish or lobe-fin fishes either lungfish or lobe-fin fishes

Ancestors of reptiles, birds, and Ancestors of reptiles, birds, and mammalsmammals

STRUCTURES, FEATURES, ADAPTATIONSSTRUCTURES, FEATURES, ADAPTATIONS Some have lungs but some don't - breathe through skin and oral Some have lungs but some don't - breathe through skin and oral

cavitycavity Rely on moist skin to carry out gas exchangeRely on moist skin to carry out gas exchange

Three-chambered heart - allows for higher metabolic rates and more Three-chambered heart - allows for higher metabolic rates and more energyenergy

Hibernate during the winterHibernate during the winter

Frogs - webbed feet, tailless, long hind legs for jumping, teeth for Frogs - webbed feet, tailless, long hind legs for jumping, teeth for holding prey (toads don't have teeth), sticky tongue to catch prey, holding prey (toads don't have teeth), sticky tongue to catch prey, protection against predators - poison, bright colors, camouflageprotection against predators - poison, bright colors, camouflage

Salamanders - slender bodies with tails and short legs, capable of Salamanders - slender bodies with tails and short legs, capable of regenerating lost limbs and body parts, sticky tongue to catch prey, regenerating lost limbs and body parts, sticky tongue to catch prey, mostly nocturnalmostly nocturnal

Caecilians - lack limbs and resemble worms or snakes, skin covered Caecilians - lack limbs and resemble worms or snakes, skin covered eyes for protection but not blindeyes for protection but not blind

IDEAL MATEIDEAL MATE

Share a love for water and moistureShare a love for water and moisture Great features for staying alive that can be Great features for staying alive that can be

passed on to offspringpassed on to offspring Frogs - females choose, males must have a Frogs - females choose, males must have a

beautiful voice to attract femalesbeautiful voice to attract females Salamanders - females choose, males must Salamanders - females choose, males must

have the best scent to attract female, great have the best scent to attract female, great mating dance (male grabs females front legs mating dance (male grabs females front legs

and rubs his chin on her back and head)and rubs his chin on her back and head) Caecilians - internal fertilizationCaecilians - internal fertilization