Amphibians are a type of animal that can breathe both air and water, similar to fish and land animals. Common examples of amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and mudpuppies. These creatures are vertebrates, meaning they have backbones, just like humans.
Amphibians are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature adjusts to match their surroundings. They have tails, except for frogs and toads, and are hatched from eggs laid by their mothers in water. Once hatched, the young amphibians are called tadpoles or polliwogs, and breathe through gills like fish. As they mature, they develop the ability to breathe air as well.
Tadpoles have round heads and long tails, which they use to swim. When they become frogs or toads, they lose their tails, but other amphibians like salamanders, newts, and mudpuppies keep theirs. All amphibians have smooth skin without scales, feathers, or hair.
Salamanders, newts, and mudpuppies start out as tadpoles just like frogs and toads. Salamanders spend most of their time in the water, as their skin dries out quickly on land. Newts leave the water once they are fully grown and change color from orange to green.
What are Amphibians? 