There are around 5,700 species of amphibians living on our planet today. But, what do you really know about them?
Well, we’ve got the 411 on these creatures. Read on to learn the top nature facts about amphibians.
1. They Live Near Water
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One of the things that set amphibians apart from other animals is that they need to live near water. That’s why amphibians have particular skin structures that is thinner and moister, so they can adapt to their environment.
Some amphibians, like frogs, can even breathe with their skin. Amphibians usually live in a freshwater environment.
2. They Can Make Great Pets
Depending on the species, some amphibians make for wonderful editions to your family. However, you do need to make sure that you know how to care for them properly. Frogs are one easy option if you’re looking for a pet that doesn’t require a lot of work.
For the inexperienced, it can be a lot of pressure to contend with taking care of an amphibian. So, do plenty of research. Only then can you look into your options when it comes to axolotl for sale, one of the popular options for your next new amphibian.
3. Amphibians Are Often Endangered
Unfortunately, amphibians often come up on the endangered species lists. In fact, fourteen percent of all amphibian species are listed as endangered. These include:
- Inyo Mountains salamander
- Cajamarca water frog
- Vestergaard’s forest toad
- Guangxi warty newt
- Omei lazy toad
- Natal diving frog
- Chile mountain false toad
But, it’s important to keep amphibians alive, since they’re such an important aspect of our ecosystem.
4. They Range in Sizes
Amphibians actually come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The smallest variety of amphibians is a variant of the microhylid frog, one that only resides in Papua New Guinea. It measures less than 8 millimeters long.
The largest amphibian is the Chinese large salamander. If living properly, this variety of salamander can grow to over five feet long. That’s around the size of a very short adult human.
5. They Freeze
Like bears, some amphibians have ways to hibernate during the cold winter months. They bury themselves into the ground to prevent themselves from freezing when temperatures drop.
That’s not the only way that amphibians are adaptable. Amphibians have ways to protect themselves from predators, too. Some amphibians have developed poisonous skin and coloration that warns potential predators away from attackers.
Many amphibians have two stages to their lives, one where they live solely in water and one where they begin to breathe air. That makes amphibians dramatically different than mammals, which slowly grow and change.
Facts About Amphibians: Learn More
While these facts about amphibians will get you started, there’s so much more to learn! So, keep reading about amphibians online.
Do you want to learn more about all the interesting animals out there? Scroll through some of our other helpful posts for all the information that you need.
