The word amphibian
is from the Greek word "amphibios" meaning "double life". Most amphibians have an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage. All amphibians have backbones and are cold-blooded. Most have soft, moist skin and must live in moist areas or near bodies of water.
Listing of protected amphibians
Frogs and toads
) are tailless amphibians. They usually begin their lives in water as tadpoles. While frogs and toads have the same basic anatomy there are some general differences. Usually, frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs while toads have dry, warty skin and short legs. Toads can live in drier areas. Frogs and toads have excellent senses; while they cannot turn their heads, they have very good peripheral vision.
) are smooth-skinned, long-bodied, long-tailed amphibians that have no claws or ear openings. They have two or four legs. They require a damp environment because their skin, which is slimy, does not protect them against moisture loss. They can regenerate legs and tails and even retinas and optic nerves. They are nocturnal and feed on a wide variety of insects.
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