S. Becker 2014 QUESTION QUESTION Can you get warts from a When you catch a toad, does toad? it pee on you? American Toad Fowler’s Toad QUESTION QUESTION If a salamander loses its tail, Can amphibians breathe can it re-grow? through their skin? Southern Two-lined Salamander Northern Dusky Salamander S. Becker 2014 ANSWER ANSWER FALSE FALSE It’s not really “pee”. Frogs and Warts on humans come from toads store extra water in a virus. Toads have “warts” their bodies so they can travel for protection. They are far from water sources. They actually glands that contain release the water when toxins to keep predators from frightened and need to hop eating them. Toads are safe away fast. to handle but not to eat! ANSWER ANSWER TRUE TRUE Amphibian skin is permeable, Amphibians have the amazing meaning that it’s not a solid ability to re-grow not only tails barrier to the environment. but also toes and even legs to They can absorb oxygen right some extent! Scientists are through their skin. Some studying amphibians to figure salamanders are so good at it out just how they do it! that they don’t even have lungs (or gills)! S. Becker 2014 QUESTION QUESTION Is an amphibian’s lifecycle Are there any differences made up of several stages? between amphibians and reptiles? Eastern Fence Lizard Barking Treefrog White-spotted Slimy Salamander QUESTION QUESTION Does North Carolina have Do amphibians use all kinds many different kinds of of “tricks” to keep from being amphibians? eaten? Eastern Newt (Red Eft phase) Spotted Salamander S. Becker 2014 ANSWER ANSWER TRUE TRUE Amphibian Reptile Most have 3 stages, aquatic egg Skin Smooth, wet Scaly No claws, and larval stages and a semi- Toes (if they Clawed sometimes have them!) toes terrestrial adult stage. (Some sticky pads have 2 or 4 stages though!) Jelly-like, laid in Leathery Eggs water or wet shell, laid places on land Babies & adults Life cycle Metamorphosis look a like Lungs, gills, or Respiration Lungs skin ANSWER ANSWER TRUE TRUE Amphibians are secretive N.C. has around 90 species animals spending much of of amphibians. That’s about their lives hiding under logs or 30% of the amphibian species rocks, in pools or rivers, in the U. S.! Almost 10% of treetops or rock crevices. global salamander diversity is Also, many amphibians have found in our S. Appalachian toxins in their skin for Mountains (many live no protection from being eaten. where else on Earth)! S. Becker 2014 QUESTION QUESTION Does North Carolina have a Do amphibians eat insects state amphibian? and worms? Pine Barrens Treefrog Marbled Salamander QUESTION QUESTION Are amphibians “cold- Is there a difference between blooded”? frogs and toads? Southern Leopard Frog S. Becker 2014 ANSWER ANSWER TRUE TRUE Most amphibians are Two actually! N.C.’s state frog completely carnivorous. They is the Pine Barrens Treefrog primarily feed on insects, and our state salamander is worms, many other the Marbled Salamander. invertebrates and even other amphibians! ANSWER ANSWER TRUE TRUE One main difference is the Actually, the correct term is length of their legs; toads “ectothermic”. have shorter legs and shorter “Ecto” = external hops as a result. Most toads “thermic” = temperature have warty skin but some The temperatures of their frogs do too! N. C. has only 6 surroundings affect their body toad species but 24 frogs! temperature. If they’re too hot they must move to a cooler place. .