Toads are amphibians, which means they spend part of their lives in water and part on land. During the breeding season, it is common to see hundreds of toads migrating to ponds where they can swim and lay their eggs. But can toads breathe underwater? Toads can breathe underwater via cutaneous respiration. Dissolved oxygen in … Read more
Have you ever encountered a dead frog and wondered why it was flipped over and lying upside down? This happens for a very interesting reason. Frogs do not die on their backs. Instead, often flip onto their backs due to the relaxation of their muscles. This relaxation, in addition to their rounded body shape, makes … Read more
Adult frogs are carnivores that aren’t very picky with what they eat. Their generalist diet means frogs can find food in the variety of habitats they live in – from rainforests to mountainous areas to dry regions. However, despite their diverse diets, frogs still sometimes find themselves in environments where food sources are scarce. So, … Read more
In the wet months of the year, it’s common to see frogs in or near ponds, and other water bodies puffing up their throats. But why do they do it? Frogs puff up and inflate their throat to croak. The part of the throat that gets inflated is known as a vocal sac. Depending on … Read more
Salamanders are the only amphibians that have tails in the adult stage of their life. Their slender bodies and four short legs, give them a somewhat lizard-like appearance. But have you ever wondered why salamanders have long tails, when other amphibians, such as frogs, don’t? Salamanders’ long tails serve many important functions. Salamanders use their … Read more
Salamanders are the only amphibians that have tails in the adult stage of their life. Like Lizards, salamanders can lose part of most of their tail, and subsequently regenerate it. But have you ever wondered why this happens? The main reason salamanders lose their tails is to defend themselves when they are grabbed by a … Read more
Garter snakes are among the most common snakes in North America. They are usually found in forest areas but can exploit many habitats. Although largely terrestrial, garter snakes occasionally climb low trees or shrubs for various reasons, such as hunting, basking in the sun, escaping predators, and avoiding dangers on the ground such as flooding. … Read more
Garter snakes are medium-sized snakes easily recognizable by the distinctive stripes running lengthwise along their scales. However, some individuals lack stripes. If a garter snake is threatened by a predator, it will release a foul-smelling, greasy fluid, called ‘musk’, from glands located near the base of the tail. This fluid not only smells bad but … Read more
Garter snakes are among the most common snakes in North America. They are usually found in forest areas but often wander into people’s backyards and even enter homes. Garter snakes enter houses mainly in search of food, water, or protection from the elements. Sometimes, they may enter a house purely by accident, especially if doors … Read more
Many snakes, particularly those that live close to water bodies, venture into the water for various reasons, such as to escape predators or to move across different areas of their habitat. Snakes are air-breathing reptiles, and if their lungs fill with water, they can drown. Although many snakes can hold their breath to dive underwater, … Read more