Amphibians (Amphibia) are a cluster of variable vertebrates, including groups such as frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. They are one of the oldest groups of terrestrial vertebrates, with the first amphibians appearing in the Devonian period, about 370 million years ago.
Printable amphibian frog coloring book
Printable amphibian coloring book for kids
Happy frog for children to color
Amphibians - interesting facts and information
- Characteristics: Amphibians are ectothermic, meaning that their body temperature depends on their environment. They have smooth, moist skin that is capable of exchanging gases with the environment, allowing them to breathe through their skin. However, some amphibians have lungs that are used to breathe air.
- Life cycle: Amphibians are known for their unique life cycle. Most amphibians go through a process of metamorphosis, starting from a larval stage (such as a tadpole) that lives in an aquatic environment, to an adult animal that can live on land.
- Distribution and habitat: Amphibians are widespread throughout the world, except in the most extreme climates, such as Antarctica. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from tropical forests to mountains, deserts and the Arctic.
- Diet: Most amphibians are carnivorous, eating a diet consisting mainly of invertebrates such as insects and snails. Some larger amphibian species may eat small rodents, birds and even other amphibians.
- Threats: Amphibians are one of the animal groups that are suffering the most from climate change, habitat loss, disease, pollution and invasive species. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), amphibians are the vertebrate group with the largest number of species threatened with extinction.
Amphibians play a key role in ecosystems around the world, serving as predators for many species of invertebrates and as food for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles. They are also important to humans as a source of scientific research and indicators of environmental health.
