LOTS OF SNAKES AND AMPHIBIANS SKIN
Permeable skin is not the only way that amphibians breathe. The skin must remain moist for this process to work. Permeable skin allows amphibians to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide (in other words, respire) through their skin. Many tadpoles (the fully aquatic larval form of frogs and toads) eat mostly plants.Īmphibians’ skin is permeable, which means it is not a solid barrier between the environment and the insides of their bodies. Some larger species eat small vertebrates, including fish, other amphibians, and small birds. Typically, amphibians eat insects and other small invertebrates. Because ectothermic animals do not expend energy to regulate their body temperatures, they eat less often than endotherms, and are less likely to be seen foraging.Īmphibians include salamanders, frogs, and toads. Salamanders dwell under logs, leaves, and rocks. Many snakes, such as the eastern hognose snake ( Figure 2), box turtles, and toads are well camouflaged and blend easily into the colors of the forest floor. Frogs such as the American bullfrog ( Figure 1) spend much time in the water, where they quickly submerge when startled. Other herps aestivate (a behavior like hibernation) during hot, dry times when moving around might cause them to overheat.Įven when temperatures are favorable, reptiles and amphibians often remain hidden from view. Some hibernate during cold weather, which drastically slows down their body processes, and remain dormant and hidden until temperatures rise. Conversely, a reptile or amphibian might slip into a shady pond to cool down.Īlthough basking turtles and lizards are fairly common sights, certain behaviors of ectotherms can make herps more difficult to find.
For example, some of the more easily seen herps are pond turtles basking on logs and lizards sunning on fence posts or porch railings to raise their body temperatures. Instead, ectotherms use behavior and the environment to regulate their body heat. Ectotherms (commonly called “cold-blooded animals”) do not rely on their metabolism or other bodily processes (such as sweating and shivering) to maintain a constant body temperature.
Unlike mammals and birds, many herps (along with fish) are ectotherms. Why combine reptiles and amphibians in the same group? It’s because they share some common characteristics. This name comes from the word herpetology, which is the scientific study of reptiles and amphibians. Scientists combine amphibians and reptiles in a group called herpetofauna, or herps for short. The Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles Skip to The Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles
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