Page 17 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Amphibians SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Eggs p.86
▸ ▸ Water pp.120–121
Amphibians are animals that spend their lives in and ▸ ▸ Invertebrates
around water. They hatch in water from eggs. As they p.139
grow they develop lungs that let them breathe on land. ▸ ▸ Metamorphosis

Amphibian skin must always be wet, so they stay close p.163
to water. There are three main groups of amphibian. ▸ ▸ Reptiles p.210
▸ ▸ Skin p.229

Newts and salamanders Caecilians
These long-tailed amphibians can Though they look Forever young
replace injured body parts by growing like worms, caecilians Axolotls are unusual,
new ones. An eye, leg, or tail takes (se-sill-yens) are amphibians. because they stay in water
just weeks to replace. They live underwater or in all their lives. They keep
their tadpole-like fins and
underground burrows on land. feathery gills even as
Bright yellow markings an adult.
warn attackers that the fire
salamander is poisonous.

Congo caecilian

Fire salamander
Large, bulging
eyes help toads Axolotl
and frogs to see
in all directions.
Frogs and toads Amphibians can
The most common group breathe through
their skin.
of amphibians includes
frogs and toads. Frogs are
usually wetter, smaller, and
smoother than toads.

Toads have dry, bumpy
skin, unlike frogs that
have wet, smooth skin. Green tree frog

Webbed feet on the
back legs help frogs
and toads to swim
in water.

Oriental fire-bellied toad
15

US_015_Amphibians.indd 15 16/05/2017 09:45