Have you ever heard of poison dart frogs, cane toads, fire salamanders, or newts? These cool creatures are all part of a group called amphibians. There are about 8,400 different kinds of amphibians, and most of them are frogs—over 7,400 species!
The name “amphibian” comes from a Greek word that means “double life.” This is because amphibians start their lives in water and later move to live on land. Isn’t that amazing? Amphibians lay their eggs in water, and when the eggs hatch, the young ones are called larvae. For frogs, these larvae are known as tadpoles, and for salamanders, they are called efts.
When amphibian larvae are young, they live in water and breathe using gills, just like fish. As they grow, they go through a big change called metamorphosis. During this time, their bodies transform: their tails get shorter, they grow legs, and their gills turn into lungs so they can breathe air. Once they become adults, many amphibians move to land but might return to water to lay eggs.
Amphibians are cold-blooded, which means they can’t keep their body warm by themselves. They need the sun to warm them up. In the winter, when it’s too cold, some amphibians hibernate. This means they rest at the bottom of lakes or in mud until it gets warmer.
Before we finish, here’s a funny joke for you: What kind of music do frogs like best? Hip hop!
Thanks for learning about amphibians with us! Remember to keep exploring and discovering new things about the amazing animals around us.
Amphibian Observation Walk: Take a walk in a nearby park or garden with an adult and try to spot any amphibians. Look for frogs, toads, or salamanders. Observe their habitat and note where you find them. Are they near water or on land? Draw a picture of the amphibian you see and describe its surroundings. Discuss with your adult companion why you think the amphibian chose that spot.
Metamorphosis Craft: Create a simple craft to show the metamorphosis of a frog. Use colored paper, scissors, and glue to make the stages: egg, tadpole, and adult frog. Arrange them in order on a piece of cardboard. As you work, think about how each stage is different and what changes happen. Share your craft with a friend or family member and explain the metamorphosis process.
Temperature Experiment: Amphibians are cold-blooded, so they rely on the sun to warm up. Try a simple experiment to understand this. Take two small bowls of water. Place one in a sunny spot and the other in a shady area. After an hour, feel the temperature of the water in each bowl. Which one is warmer? Discuss how this might affect where an amphibian chooses to rest during the day.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] Poison dart frogs, cane toads, fire salamanders, and newts are classified together as amphibians. There are about 8,400 species of amphibians, of which more than 7,400 are frogs.
So, how do amphibians get their name? The word “amphibian” comes from the Greek word “amphibious,” which means “double life.” This is because amphibians live the first part of their lives in water and the later part on land. Amphibian eggs are usually laid in water, and the young that hatch from the eggs are called larvae. Frog larvae are called tadpoles, while salamander larvae are called eft.
Amphibian larvae live in water and have gills to take in the oxygen they need. As the larvae grow, their bodies change form through a process called metamorphosis. Their tails get shorter, they develop hind legs and forelegs, and their gills develop into lungs, allowing them to take in oxygen from the air.
As adults, many amphibians move from water onto land and may return to water to reproduce. Amphibians are cold-blooded or ectothermic, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature. Instead, they rely on the warmth of the sun to heat their bodies. In colder months, some amphibians hibernate either at the bottom of lakes or in mud as they wait for warmer weather.
A quick joke before I go: What kind of music do frogs like best? Hip hop!
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