Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates that can survive both land and water. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, from deserts to tropical rainforests.
Amphibians reproduce in the spring and lay their jelly-covered eggs (spawn) in still fresh water, often among water plants. The young, known as tadpoles, are aquatic with feathery external gills but soon develop lungs and legs through metamorphosis and leave the water.
Golden toad
The golden toad is an amphibian species unique to Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest. This fossorial species spends most of its year underground, emerging for a brief breeding season from April through June each year.
This species breeds rapidly in temporary pools of water, especially those created by tree roots. Males outnumber females by an 8:1 ratio and compete fiercely for a limited number of mates.
Once a couple forms an intimate bond, the male clasps her tightly between his forearms until they mate. Following successful mating, the female deposits approximately 200 eggs into the water and they hatch two months later.
Green tree frog
The green tree frog is a common sight in wetlands across the southern half of America. This summer breeder can be found in marshes, swamps, ponds and lakes throughout this region.
A medium-sized frog, the wood frog, has long legs, large digits and sticky toe pads. It may have a light cream or green belly with white, yellow or iridescent stripes along its sides.
They make excellent pets for terrariums and can be fed crickets, other insects and small mice. Although they make popular terrarium pets, it is best to handle them rarely.
Green tree frogs are easily identified by their loud nasal call, “quenk, quenk, queenk,” which they repeat up to 75 times per minute. Males congregate at breeding sites and use this call to attract females.
Oacian
The Oacian is the largest salamander in North America and commonly referred to as a “mud devil,” “devil dog,” or “ground puppy.”
The Eastern Oacian is the heaviest and most powerful salamander in its range, weighing up to 2 pounds (1.8 kg). It can be found from southern New York to northern Georgia as well as parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee North Carolina South Carolina Alabama Mississippi Arkansas Missouri and even Oklahoma and Kansas.
Its habitat consists of rocky streams and self-excavated shelters. Its flattened head, body, short legs and paddle-shaped tail help it maintain its position in fast moving water.
Red-eyed tree frog
Red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal amphibians that inhabit rainforests and lowlands in tropical countries from Mexico to Central America as well as northern South America.
Tree frogs are nocturnal hunters that prey on a variety of prey items, such as flies, crickets, grasshoppers, moths and other insects. Their vibrant colors help them blend in with foliage while hiding them from predators during the day.
They have evolved to flash their bright red eyes and orange webbed feet when threatened or see a predator approaching, an adaptation known as startle coloration which helps them survive.
Endemic tailed caecilian
The Heliobatis rostratus, an amphibian species native to Sri Lanka’s tropical region, is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It resembles a giant earthworm and its habitat has been altered due to human activities.
This species of frog has a hard, thick skull which helps it burrow underground. Additionally, its special set of temporary teeth are used for preying on their mother’s skin without harming her.
They can become carnivorous as adults, feeding on earthworms, ants and termites. Furthermore, these predators act as soil ecosystem engineers by ingestion of detritus which helps improve soil conditions.