Amphibians have always been highly favored as pets. The word amphibiosmeans “double life,” as these creatures are adapted for life both on land and in water. Adult amphibians will spend most of their time on land, only to return to water to reproduce. The offspring that result will, in turn, remain in their aqueous surroundings until maturity. Amphibians, like reptiles, are cold-blooded, meaning that their internal body temperatures fluctuate with environmental temperatures.
Over 2500 varieties of frogs and toads exist throughout the world. The class Amphibia includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Frogs and toads are tailless amphibians that possess long, strong hindlimbs. Those that dwell in trees also sport prominent suction disks on the digits of their toes to be used for climbing and clinging. Salamanders and newts, on the other hand, possess short, relatively weak legs that protrude almost perpendicular to their bodies. They also possess a long tail that assists them in their movements. Instead of walking or jumping like frogs, salamanders wiggle and slither toward their intended destinations.
Although the toad is considered a type of frog, they differ in a number of ways. Frogs possess bodies that are more streamlined and elongated than those of toads. The legs of frogs are elongated and ideal for leaping and swimming, whereas those of toads are shorter and used for walking and stalking prey. The skin of the frog is smooth and shiny, in contrast to the thick, dry, and knobby skin of the toad. When laying eggs, frogs will do so in clusters, while toads will lay their eggs in long chains. Finally, frogs come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, including black, various shades of green, and the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the tropical varieties. Most toads, on the other hand, sport a basic brown color or shades thereof, providing them with the optimum camouflage within their terrestrial surroundings.
Like frogs and toads, salamanders and newts come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Over 300 species exist worldwide. The major difference between the salamander and the newt (which is actually a type of salamander) is that the salamander prefers to dwell on land, returning to water only to breed. On the contrary, newts like to spend the majority of their time in aquatic settings. Realize, of course, that when speaking of any type of amphibian, there are always multiple exceptions to the rule.
The top two goals in the life of any amphibian are to (1) find food and (2) keep from drying out. Adult amphibians not only breathe through a set of lungs but also respire through their skin and mucous membranes. For this reason, the outer surfaces of most amphibians are coated with slimy mucus that allows them to retain the skin moisture necessary for proper oxygen exchange. Loss of surface moisture due to dehydration, low humidity, and/or high environmental temperatures can be deadly. This is why amphibians are primarily nocturnal creatures, seeking out food during the nighttime hours and retreating to cool, sheltered areas during the day.
Amphibians can be purchased from pet stores or gathered from their natural habitats. However, before doing the latter, familiarize yourself with local laws and ordinances regarding ownership of native amphibian species. If you accidentally grab hold of an endangered species, you could be faced with a stiff penalty. Remember also that if you purchase or obtain an amphibian that is not native to your region, under no circumstances should you release it back into the wild. Placing such an individual into a foreign habitat could lead to the spread of new diseases and parasites that could potentially wipe out your local ecosystem.
Over 2500 varieties of frogs and toads exist throughout the world. The class Amphibia includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Frogs and toads are tailless amphibians that possess long, strong hindlimbs. Those that dwell in trees also sport prominent suction disks on the digits of their toes to be used for climbing and clinging. Salamanders and newts, on the other hand, possess short, relatively weak legs that protrude almost perpendicular to their bodies. They also possess a long tail that assists them in their movements. Instead of walking or jumping like frogs, salamanders wiggle and slither toward their intended destinations.
Although the toad is considered a type of frog, they differ in a number of ways. Frogs possess bodies that are more streamlined and elongated than those of toads. The legs of frogs are elongated and ideal for leaping and swimming, whereas those of toads are shorter and used for walking and stalking prey. The skin of the frog is smooth and shiny, in contrast to the thick, dry, and knobby skin of the toad. When laying eggs, frogs will do so in clusters, while toads will lay their eggs in long chains. Finally, frogs come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, including black, various shades of green, and the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the tropical varieties. Most toads, on the other hand, sport a basic brown color or shades thereof, providing them with the optimum camouflage within their terrestrial surroundings.
Like frogs and toads, salamanders and newts come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Over 300 species exist worldwide. The major difference between the salamander and the newt (which is actually a type of salamander) is that the salamander prefers to dwell on land, returning to water only to breed. On the contrary, newts like to spend the majority of their time in aquatic settings. Realize, of course, that when speaking of any type of amphibian, there are always multiple exceptions to the rule.
The top two goals in the life of any amphibian are to (1) find food and (2) keep from drying out. Adult amphibians not only breathe through a set of lungs but also respire through their skin and mucous membranes. For this reason, the outer surfaces of most amphibians are coated with slimy mucus that allows them to retain the skin moisture necessary for proper oxygen exchange. Loss of surface moisture due to dehydration, low humidity, and/or high environmental temperatures can be deadly. This is why amphibians are primarily nocturnal creatures, seeking out food during the nighttime hours and retreating to cool, sheltered areas during the day.
Amphibians can be purchased from pet stores or gathered from their natural habitats. However, before doing the latter, familiarize yourself with local laws and ordinances regarding ownership of native amphibian species. If you accidentally grab hold of an endangered species, you could be faced with a stiff penalty. Remember also that if you purchase or obtain an amphibian that is not native to your region, under no circumstances should you release it back into the wild. Placing such an individual into a foreign habitat could lead to the spread of new diseases and parasites that could potentially wipe out your local ecosystem.
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