AmphibiansClass Amphibia

AMPHIBIANS• Amphibians begin life in water.• They start out as tadpoles and breathe

with gills• As they grow, they develop lungs and legs• They move to land as adults• Amphibians move back to water to lay

eggs.

Amphibians

LIVE ON LAND BUT STAY NEAR THE WATER

Chinese Giant Salamander

Adaptations

• Mobile, muscular tongue allows amphibians to capture and manipulate food.

Adaptations

• Breathe through the skin or with the use of gills or lungs

Amphibians return to the water to lay eggs.

• Eggs do not have shells

Strategies to keep eggs wet:• Laying eggs directly in water• Laying eggs on moist ground• Wrapping eggs in leaves

Pygmy Marsupial FrogFlectonotus pygmaeus

Tadpoles

• Some frogs start as tadpoles• Have gills and a broad-finned tail

Tadpole into Adult Frog

• Gills are reabsorbed and lungs develop• Circulatory system is reorganized to send

blood to the lungs• Tail fin is reabsorbed

Tadpole into Adult Frog

• Body grows limbs and completely reorganizes its skeleton, muscles, and parts of the nervous system.

• Digestive system is rebuilt to handle a carnivorous diet.

Amphibians

• Salamanders

• Frogs

Salamanders

• More than 300 species

• Long body• Four walking limbs• tail

Frogs

• Over 3000 species• Largest group of living amphibians

Adult Frogs

• Tailless bodies• Long, muscular hind limbs• Webbed feet• Exposed eardrums• Bulging eyes

Adult Frogs

• Bodies adapted for jumping– Elongated bones in their hips, legs and feet

for increased speed and power– Hind legs have fused bones that absorb the

shock of landing

Toads

• One family of frogs• Rougher, bumpier

skin• Shorter legs- not

good jumpers• Glands make toxins

that protect them from predators – also in tropical frogs

Frogs

• Live in every environment on Earth except at the poles and the driest deserts.