Page 67 - Amphibian

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is herpetology? What is
Qherpetoculture?

Herpetology is the scientific study of
Aamphibians and reptiles. The science of
breeding these animals in captivity is known
as herpetoculture.

What is the current number of
Qamphibian species?
As of 2005, there are more than 5,700
Arecorded species of amphibians.

What is the largest genus of frogs?
QHow many species belong to it?

Eleutherodactylus is the largest genus
Aof frogs. These are the greenhouse
frogs that live in the Caribbean tropics.
There are so many species hopping around A mountain yellow-legged frog, one of many endangered amphibians
that they outnumber the species counts
of any other genus of vertebrate animals. What parts of the world do What is being done to stop the
Currently there are more than 500 recorded Qamphibians live in? Qdecline in amphibian populations?
species, with more described each year.
Amphibians can be found almost A number of zoos across the globe
Aanywhere. Because they are adapted to Arun captive breeding programs to
What’s the difference between live both on land and in water, they often live help endangered species survive. These
Qa newt and a salamander? where these two habitats meet, in areas programs ensure that the amphibians
known as ecotones. Frogs and toads are the at risk of extinction are given sanctuary
All newts are salamanders, but not most widespread amphibians. Salamanders in the zoos to see them through the
Aall salamanders are newts. The word tend to live in the Northern Hemisphere, immediate crisis.
salamander describes an entire scientific while caecilians live in tropical South
order of amphibians that have tails as America, Africa, and Asia.
adults. This includes the animals
commonly known as newts and sirens. Record Breakers
Most of the animals in the salamander How long do amphibians
group look like a cross between a lizard Qlive?
and a frog, with Largest amphibian
smooth skin It is difficult to determine the The Japanese giant salamander can grow up to
and long, Anatural life span of frogs, but 5 feet (1.5 m) long from its nose to the tip of its tail.
lizardlike tails. in captivity many species of frogs
and toads live for up to 30 years.
Some species of salamanders Smallest amphibian
have been known to live for The Cuban poison dart frog measures less than
55 years in captivity. half an inch (1.2 cm) from snout to vent.

How many amphibians are Largest frog
Qendangered species? Why The Goliath frog’s body can reach nearly a foot
are their populations in decline? (30 cm) long.
Amphibians are now in decline all
Aover the world. More than Largest caecilian
200 species have experienced Caecilia thompsoni of South America can grow
Marbled newt population declines in recent years, up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long.
with more than 30 species becoming
What is the largest genus of extinct. There are several reasons why
Qsalamanders? Of caecilians? amphibian populations are Smallest salamander
threatened. These include habitat Thorius arboreus has a length of two-thirds
Bolitoglossa (web-footed salamanders) destruction by humans due to of an inch (1.7 cm).
Ais the largest genus of salamanders, industry and population growth, the
with over 160 species. They are found introduction of non-native species
mainly in Central and South America. which prey on, or compete with,
The largest genus of caecilians is Ichtyophis, native amphibians, and the increasing
with more than 30 species. These snakelike removal of amphibians from the wild
creatures live throughout much of to be sold as food, pets, or for medical
southeastern Asia, but you might never testing. Pesticides and other pollutants Goliath frog
know it, since they are highly elusive and are also adversely affecting the world’s
are very rarely seen. amphibian populations.

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