Salamanders are generalist carnivores that feast on worms and a wide variety of bugs. These amphibians are not picky eaters and will eat almost any prey they can catch and fit into their mouths. Salamanders are ambush predators and are instinctively attracted to movement while hunting for food. For this reason, most salamanders do not … Read more
It’s common to encounter salamanders and other amphibians during the wet, warm season, but they seem to disappear during the winter. So how do these creatures survive the winter? Salamanders survive the winter by hibernating. Terrestrial salamanders hibernate in logs or underground burrows below the frost line. Many aquatic salamanders hibernate by burying themselves in … Read more
Many people know that most salamanders love to hang around in or near freshwater bodies, such as ponds, lakes, or streams. But have you ever wondered why salamanders need water? Salamanders need water to keep their skin moist, rehydrate, regulate their temperature, and reproduce. Salamanders are amphibians, which means they live part of their lives … Read more
Amphibians have unique skin compared to that of many other vertebrates. They use their skin to breathe, and also to ‘drink’ water. Many salamanders feel slimy because their skin is covered in a mucous coating, which helps them keep their skin moist, enabling them to efficiently breathe through their skin. The slime also creates an environment … Read more
Frogs are well known for their hops, and their ability to swim with great efficiency. But have you ever wondered just how fast frogs can move through their environments? In general, frogs can move at speeds of about 10 mph on land when hopping at full momentum. However, how fast frogs can move depends on … Read more
Frogs are well known for their hops, and their ability to leap impressive distances. But have you ever wondered how high frogs can jump? In general, most frogs can jump about 10 times their height, and 5 to 20 times their body length. However, some frogs can jump up to 50 times their length. Frogs … Read more
Salamanders are intriguing creatures that attract the curiosity of many people. However, there are also many misconceptions about them. Like all amphibians, salamanders have bones. Their internal skeletons are made up of many interconnected bones and cartilage. Salamanders’ bones are light and hollow, which helps them move efficiently on the ground and in the water. … Read more
Frogs are amphibians, which means they live part of their lives in water and part on land. They have adaptations that enable them to thrive in both environments. Frogs have webbed feet for swimming and propelling themselves through the water. When swimming, a frog will kick its hind legs in unison, generating a forward thrust … Read more
Frogs have skin composed of thin membranous tissue that is quite permeable to water and contains a large network of blood vessels. They use this skin to breathe, and also to absorb water to rehydrate. Salt can kill frogs by disrupting the water and ionic exchange across their permeable skin. This can lead to serious dehydration … Read more
Toads and other amphibians are most active in the warm spring and summer months. During hot periods in the summer, it’s common to see toads burrowing and burying themselves in the sand. Toads burrow in the summer to cool off from the hot temperatures. Sand is a poor thermal conductor, so a toad buried in … Read more