2.  An amphibian is a vertebrate that is
ectothermic and spends its early life in
water and adult life on land.
 After beginning their lives in water, most
amphibians spend their adulthood on
land, returning to water to reproduce.

3.  The two groups of amphibians are
salamanders and toads/frogs.

4.  They lead “double lives”
 Fertilized eggs develop in water.
 Larvae wiggle out of the egg and begin
swimming.
 The larvae undergoes metamorphosis and
eventually turns into a frog or salamander.
 The larva of a frog/toad is called tadpole.

5.  The respiratory and circulatory system of
adult amphibians are adapted for life on
land. In addition, adult amphibians have
adaptations for obtaining food and
moving.

6.  Amphibian larvae use gills to obtain
oxygen from the water they live in.
 When they transform into an adult
amphibian they lose their gills and
develop lungs.

7.  A tadpole has a heart with two
chambers, like that of a fish.
 Adult amphibians have hearts with three
chambers. The two main parts of the
circulatory system are the atria and the
ventricle.

8.  Most tadpoles are herbivores. However,
most adult salamanders, toads and frogs
are carnivores that actively stalk and
ambush their prey.

9.  They have strong skeletons and muscular
limbs adapted for moving on land.
 Frogs and Toads have adapted legs for
leaping which requires powerful hind-leg
muscles and a skeleton to absorb the
shock of landing.
 Frogs and Toads also have adapted
webbed feet to help them swim through
water.

10.  Amphibian populations are decreasing.
This is due to the destruction of
amphibian habitats.