Amphibians

Question 1

What do all amphibians have in common?

Answer 1

• 4-legged vertebrate - tetrapods
• Do not have amniotic egg - amniotes
• ectothermic / heterothermic
• pedicellate teeth
• specialized respiration
• metamorphosis
• tied to water for reproduction

Question 2

What are some important characteristics of amphibian’s skin?

Answer 2

thin
smooth
moist
no scales
permeable
glands
periodically shed

Question 3

What does it mean that amphibians are anamniotes?

Answer 3

they lay eggs in water

Question 4

How does the three chambered heart work to direct blood to the body?

Answer 4

blood from the lungs will go directly to the brain

oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mixes int he heart and goes to the rest of the body

Question 5

what is amplexus?

Answer 5

the mating position of frogs and toads, in which the male clasps the female about the back and fertilized the eggs as she lays them

Question 6

What are some characteristics of an amphibian larva?

Answer 6

no eyelids

gills are on the side of the head and allow for breathing in water

Question 7

Some differences between frogs and toads

Answer 7

Frogs - smoother skin and longer legs in black

Toads - “warts” and four limbs are about the same length

Question 8

Some differences between salamanders and newts

Answer 8

Salamanders - long tails with moist skin, larger

Newts - rough skin and external gills, smaller

Question 9

What are the important considerations in housing of an amphibian?

Answer 9

thermal gradient
humidity
water pool
hiding places
vitamin and mineral supplement