Amphibians
CITE
We have made every effort to follow citation style rules, but there may be some minor differences. If in doubt, please refer to the appropriate citation style manual.
Amphibians A-Z. (2022). In Q-files Encyclopedia, Life, Amphibians. Retrieved from
https://www.q-files.com/life/amphibians/amphibians-a-z
"Amphibians A-Z." Life, Amphibians, Q-files Encyclopedia, 10 Feb. 2022.
https://www.q-files.com/life/amphibians/amphibians-a-z.
Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Amphibians A-Z 2022. Life, Amphibians. Retrieved 19 March 2024, from
https://www.q-files.com/life/amphibians/amphibians-a-z
Life, Amphibians, s.v. "Amphibians A-Z," accessed March 19, 2024.
https://www.q-files.com/life/amphibians/amphibians-a-z
Amphibians A-Z
Axolotl An aquatic salamander from Mexico. As an adult it retains many larval features, such as its feathery gills.
Caecilian A long, snake-like amphibian with no limbs. Caecilians have small, almost sightless, eyes and live underground in tropical regions.
Congo eel A North American salamander with a long thin body and four tiny, useless legs. It lives at the bottom of streams, feeding on frogs, fish and snakes.
Darwin’s frog A small South American frog with a pointed snout. It stores its eggs in a sac of skin in its throat until they mature and jump out as miniature adults.
Fire-bellied toad An Asian toad with a brightly coloured belly. If threatened, it twists to show its belly as a warning that it tastes bad. This action, called the unken reflex, is also used by some salamanders.
Fire salamander A European salamander with black and yellow markings. It lives in cool forests or mountainous regions.
Gills The breathing organs of water creatures. As water passes in through the mouth and out over the gills, oxygen is filtered out by blood vessels. Amphibian larvae have feathery or flap-like gills.
Japanese giant salamander One of the world’s largest amphibians. It can grow to lengths of up to 1.5 metres (5 feet). It lives in streams where water supports the great weight of its body. The Japanese giant salamander snaps up fish and worms with its large, gaping mouth.
Larva The young of an animal before it goes through metamorphosis. Larvae look very different to adults of the same species. For example, the larvae of many amphibians have gills or tails, which are lost when they become adults.
Metamorphosis The process whereby some animals change their bodies and behaviour between the young (larval) and adult states of their life.
Mole salamander A thick-bodied, colourful North American salamander with colourful markings. Adults live in burrows, returning to the water only to lay their eggs.
Mudpuppy An aquatic North American salamander that keeps its gills as an adult. Mudpuppies are also known as waterdogs because adults have a “barking” call.
Newt A type of salamander with a long, flattened tail. Many species of newts are brightly coloured to warn that they are toxic.
Olm A large, aquatic salamander that lives in European caves. An olm has pale skin, blind eyes and feathery external gills.
Poison dart frog A frog from the rainforests of Central and South America that secretes a powerful poison. This is used by rainforest people to coat the tips of their darts and arrows for hunting.
Salamander An amphibian with a long body and tail. Some salamanders are fully aquatic, while others live on land and return to the water only to lay their eggs.
Siren An aquatic salamander with small front legs and no back legs.
Vocal sac An inflatable bag of skin that male frogs use to amplify their calls. Calls are used to attract mates or ward off rivals.
Consultant: Chris Jarvis