Amphibians

Frogs have existed for 190 million years. Over time, frogs have managed to adapt to live in ponds but also venture out of the water onto grasslands and into trees to survive. Their remarkable…

The flatwoods salamander is indigenous to the Southeastern United States, and is an endangered species. Like many salamanders, the flatwoods salamander begins its life in ponds or marshy areas, living…

Many creatures commonly called eels are not actually eels. These include electric eels, which are fish; rubber eels, which are amphibians; and spiny eels, slimy eels, swamp eels and eel catfish. Only…

Some wild varieties of the axolotl display dark green coloring with brown or red spots. Typically 6 to 9 inches long, the axolotl's color varies from albino to solid black. Native to Mexico, it is…

Minnesota has a wide range of natural habitats including plenty of wetlands that are suitable for a variety of frog species. The state is home to two main groups, true and tree frogs. True frogs are…

Salamanders are amphibians in the scientific order caudata. Worldwide, 358 different known species exist that range greatly in size and appearance. Salamanders differ from other amphibians such as…

The mudpuppy, also known as the waterdog, is a fully aquatic variety of salamander. It is one of the largest salamander species and also one of the few that makes vocalized noises. The squeaks made by…

Reptiles are some of the world's longest living creatures. Despite the total extinction of thousands of species of life throughout history, reptiles have consistently escaped death. Today, they live…

Reptiles are a diverse group of animals found on every continent except Antarctica. All reptiles are exothermic (cold-blooded) and have scales covering their bodies. The physiology and feeding habits…

Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa, with the largest populations in Liberia. Pygmy hippos look much like a miniature version of the common hippo, yet have distinctive differences. Compared with…

Mudpuppies, also known as "water dogs," are salamanders that spend their entire lives in water. They can be found at the bottom of lake and river bottoms in the American Midwest and Eastern states.…

The pygmy hippo is the smaller cousin of the massive African hippopotamus. It grows to almost 6 feet in length and weighs between 352 and 605 lbs. It has a small home range in West Africa that…

The family Hippopotamidae has only two living species. Both species are large mammals that spend a lot of time in or near water sources. Hippos are members of the Artiodactyla order of animals which…

A hippopotamus is a large, semi-aquatic, herbivorous mammal that is generally found in sub-Saharan Africa. Hippos are known for their excellent swimming skills and can hold their breath for nearly…

Monitors are medium to large carnivorous lizards found mainly in southern Asia and Australia and, like all other lizards, they are reptiles. They are active lizards that typically lash out their tails…

Many know that mammals (including humans) grow hair, differentiating them from other types in the animal world. External variations in skin type provide a good starting point. However, several other…

Many different types of frogs appeal to reptile keepers, who may want to create a community tank with several different species. Each has its own care, habitat and feeding requirements, but some frogs…

If you step outside in the late evening in any rural part of the United States, you can expect to hear a cacophony of the sounds of life. Two particular sounds that are common throughout much of North…

Determining the sex of a frog is not always easy. A frog's color does not always help you tell if it is a male or a female. In some species, the male's thumbs are bigger, while in other species, the…

Swamps are wetland areas that are natural habitats for several animal and plant species. A common swamp area includes several bodies of water, woody and aquatic vegetation and uniquely adapted…

Many different species are in danger of becoming extinct forever if preventative measures are not taken. While endangered and threatened animal species are often the first that come to mind, many…

Anglers in the eastern United States, Ontario and Quebec sometimes tell tales of pulling giant amphibians into their boats. These stories aren't exactly far-fetched. Though quite common animals,…

Terrestrial animals such as mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles breathe with lungs. All organisms require energy for any work that they do, and this energy is generated by respiration, which…

Whether you're moving or simply giving your pet a new home, transporting a reptile can be a risky operation. Reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning that their body temperatures are dependent on their…

Because of their similar lifestyles and secretive habits, reptiles and amphibians are often grouped together. Actually, these two distinct groups are only distantly related. If you know what to look…

Chytridiomycosis is a disease that affects amphibians that is caused by chytrid fungi. This is a very deadly, infectious disease that has wiped out populations of amphibians on various continents. It…

Sexing frogs can be a difficult task due to the fact that most differences in gender vary according to the frog species. You can use a frog's colors, size and special body features to determine if a…

Queensland has the largest number of species of reptiles of any Australian state. To keep most lizards, turtles or nonvenomous snakes as pets in Queensland, you must apply and be approved for a…

According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, there are 29 families of frog species in the order Anura. Anura is the scientific name that represents frogs and toads, and out of these 29, ten…

By nature, both humans and animals are capable of developing cancer, which is marked by abnormal cell growth that is destructive within the body. Both reptiles and amphibians are capable of developing…

Reptiles are usually found in warmer parts of the world, from prairies to rain forests and deserts to swamps. The only continent in which they don't live is Antarctica. Snakes, lizards, turtles,…

Amphibians and reptiles are two types of animals that are often confused. Amphibians start their lives in water and eventually are able to live and breathe both on land and in water. Reptiles,…

What is commonly known as the electric eel is actually not an eel but a freshwater species related to the carp or catfish family. According the National Geographic Society, the eel uses a low level of…

Turtles are indeed reptiles and highly successful ones at that. Turtles are categorized under the class Reptilia, and are further classified under the order Testuidines, which includes turtles and…

Classification is an important part of daily life. It is the means through which we make sense of the world around us. In the animal kingdom, two creatures that seem indistinguishable at first glance…

A mudpuppy, also called a waterdog in some parts of the United States, is actually a large salamander. Mudpuppies, in the scientific class of amphibians and the scientific order with salamanders and…

There are three categories of amphibians: frogs and toads, salamanders and caecilians. They are cold-blooded vertebrates, many of which are nocturnal and hunt their prey under the cover of darkness.…

Amphibians relate to reptiles because they're both ectotherms. This means that they're both cold-blooded animals. Some amphibians include salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. They spend a part of…

Amphibians are typically small animals that bear a distinct resemblance to reptiles in that they have leathery skin, are cold-blooded, and even have similar shapes, with newts and salamanders looking…

The Mexican walking fish, or axolotl, is one of the most bizarre creatures. And there's a lot more than just its appearance that's strange, not the least of which is its ability to regrow limbs.

Changing environments have lead to many formerly plentiful amphibians and reptiles to see dwindling populations. Many of the endangered reptiles and amphibians are now protected, so they cannot be…

As the destruction of the ecosystem continues and the size of habitats decrease, more and more lives of animals are put at risk, especially reptiles and amphibians. ScienceDaily.com says that because…

Both frogs and toads are members of the order Anura, so all toads are frogs. But true frogs and true toads have their own specific families, species and characteristics.

Caecilians are amphibians that superficially resemble earthworms or snakes. Discover facts about caecilians with information from a published biologist in this free video on amphibians.

Colorado river toads, also called the Sonora desert toad, have relatively smooth skin outside of the warts on their back legs. Discover facts about Colorado river toads with information from a…

Cane toads, also known as marine toads, are tropical and prefer to live near semi-permanent bodies of water. Discover facts about cane toads with information from a published biologist in this free…

Amphibians are animals that have descended from fish, but they are set apart by their smooth, moist skin, their poorly developed lungs and the fact that they are ectotherms. Learn about the…

Most people have come in contact with frogs at one time or another whether they're on the table in biology class or frozen in the ice near a pond. Other times these fascinating creatures don't get the…

When it comes to pet ownership, reptile owners are a different breed. Choosing the cool and slithery takes a special person. Frogs are among the most unique and popular reptilian pets today. In order…

The frog and toad are both amphibians and spend part of their time in water and part on land. Over 3,000 species of both animals exist with about 80 found in the US. Both amphibians make that…