Otters are members of the weasel family. There are 13 species throughout the world including the northern river otter, sea otter, Eurasian otter and the giant otter. more »
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Otters are members of the weasel family. There are 13 species throughout the world including the northern river otter, sea otter, Eurasian otter and the giant otter. more »
Oscars (also called velvet cichlids) can be hard fish to figure out, especially when their thoughts turn to mating. How can you tell if your Oscars are spawing or fighting? more »
Saltwater minnows, strangely enough, can also live in fresh water, and though many fish types are popularly known as saltwater minnows, in fact, only a small percentage of these are true saltwater minnows. Read on to learn the eating habits of saltwater minnows and to lean how to keep them as pets or use them as bait for fishing. more »
Frogs and toads are closely related types of amphibians. The major difference between these animals is their adaptation to different levels of moisture in their habitats. Whereas frogs largely dwell in or near water, toads have thick, leathery skin, usually brown in color, that allows them to retain more internal moisture and live... more »
One small niche of the Web has been used to exchange information about the care and sale of pets. Many pets can be ordered online, making the rare and exotic ordinary. This guide will explain the steps to buying an exotic frog via the Internet. more »
It takes knowledge and patience to maintain a proper environment for your underwater pets,...
Acrylic aquariums are great for housing aquatic living things such as fish, corals, seahorses...
Garden ornaments are a great way to add flair to your outdoor space. A few well-placed ornaments become unique conversation pieces in your garden.... more »
Talk about being the talk of the town—just try teaching your pet salamander some tricks! These fascinating members of the animal kingdom may... more »
Exotic pets are capable of bringing hours of enjoyment to their owners. They are fascinating to watch and fun to play with. The decision to adopt... more »
Owning a lynx is illegal in many states. Legally owning an exotic big cat requires diligence and dedication to not only the lynx but all your... more »
Some people think newts resemble wet dragons, which is probably part of their appeal. These long semi-aquatic amphibians with broad tails and... more »
| image Spea hammondii 1.jpg
| image_width 200px
| image_caption regnum [[Animalia
| phylum subphylum [[Vertebrata
| superclassis classis_authority [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus, 1758
| subdivision_ranks Subclasses and Orders
| subdivision
Order Temnospondyli - extinct
Subclass Lepospondyli - extinct
Subclass Lissamphibia
Order Anura
Order Caudata
Order Gymnophiona}}
Amphibians (class Amphibia), such as frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians, are ectothermic (or cold-blooded) animals that metamorphose from a juvenile water-breathing form, to an adult air-breathing form. Though amphibians typically have four limbs, the Caecilians are notable for being limbless. Unlike other land vertebrates (amniotes), amphibians lay eggs in water. Amphibians are superficially similar to reptiles.
Amphibians are ecological indicators, and in recent decades there has been a dramatic decline in amphibian populations around the globe. Many species are now threatened or extinct.
Amphibians evolved in the Devonian Period and were top predators in the Carboniferous and Permian Periods, but many lineages were wiped out during the Permian-Triassic extinction. One group, the metoposaurs, remained important predators during the Triassic, but as the world became drier during the Early Jurassic they died out, leaving a handful of relict temnospondyls like Koolasuchus and the modern orders of Lissamphibia.
Etymology
Amphibian is derived from the Ancient Greek term "amphíbios" which means both kinds of life, amphi meaning "both" and bio meaning life. The term was initially used for all kinds of combined natures. Eventually it was used to refer to animals that live both in the water and on land.
Evolutionary history
The first major groups of amphibians developed in the Devonian Period from fish similar to the modern coelacanth and lungfish which h read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibian
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