Amphibian types
The word amphibian comes from the Greek word for “double-life,” referring to the fact that amphibians start life in water breathing through gills before maturing into lung-breathing land animals, although most never stray too far from water. The class Amphibia is composed of only 3 orders. The order Anura, a word that refers to tailless amphibians, includes frogs and toads ( see Table: Similarities and Differences Between Frogs and Toads). This is the largest order, with nearly 5000 species. The order Caudata, or amphibians with tails—salamanders, newts, and sirens—has about 500 species ( see Table: Some Common Salamanders and Newts). The Gymnophiona order is made up of caecilians: legless, tailless amphibians that spend most of their time burrowing. It has about 160 species.
Similarities and Differences Between Frogs and Toads
Similarities | Differences | |
|---|---|---|
__________________________________________________ | ||
Frogs | Toads | |
Both hatch from eggs | Lay eggs in clusters | Lay eggs in chains |
Young have gills | Teeth in upper jaw | Have no teeth |
Adults have lungs | Moist, smooth skin | Dry, lumpy skin |
Young live in water | Jump | Walk |
Bulging eyes | Eyes do not protrude | |
Some Common Salamanders and Newts
Type | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|
Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) | Western-central Canada south to Mexico and east and north to Long Island, New York; sandy soils; common as pets | Varies according to type; can be up to 12 inches (31 centimeters) |
Axolotl salamander (Ambystoma mexicanum) | Native to Xochimilco and Chalco lakes, Mexico City; strictly aquatic; common as pets | 8 to 11 inches (20 to 28 centimeters) |
Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) | Southern New England and west to parts of Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, and south to north Florida; variety of habitats | Up to 4.25 inches (11 centimeters) in length |
Redback salamander (Plethodon cinereus) | Canada, northern United States to Midwest; woodland | Small: 2.6 to 4.9 in (6.5 to 12.5 cm) |
Seal salamander (Desmognathus monticola) | Southwestern Pennsylvania to Georgia and Alabama; streams, ravines, and similar habitat | Size varies |
Blackbelly and shovelnose salamanders (Desmognathus quadramaculatus, D marmoratus) | Appalachia; springs and streams | Medium to large |
Two-lined and Junaluska salamanders (Eurycea bislineata, E junaluska) | Eastern half of North America | Small: up to 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) |
Eastern or red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) | Eastern half of North America, southern Canada, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida; watery areas | Varies |
California newt (Taricha torosa) | California, west coast of United States | Up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) |
Rough-skinned Oregon newt (Taricha granulosa) | Coastal Pacific northwest from southeast Alaska to San Francisco, California; aquatic or woodlands | 5 to 8.5 inches (13 to 22 centimeters) |
Fire-bellied newt (Cynops pyrrhogastea) | China and Japan; however, they are commonly bred and kept as pets | Varies; generally from 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) |
For More Information
Also see professional content regarding amphibians.
