Amphibians must live near water because they need moisture on their skin and must return to water to breed. They catch prey using their tongues and mouths, crushing food with their jaws before swallowing whole without teeth. Their semi-permeable skin allows water and gases to pass through but not solids, so they die if their skin dries out or they absorb toxic chemicals in water. Due to their skin traits, amphibians indicate the health of wetland environments.

1. AmphibiansAmphibians
EatingEating
By Mr. “Frogs are Cool” ChapmanBy Mr. “Frogs are Cool” Chapman

2. AmphibiansAmphibians
 Amphibians have never been able to
completely leave the water (or at least
moist environments).
 1. They must return to the water to breed
 2. They have to keep their skin moist.

3. TonguesTongues
 Tongues of amphibian vary considerably.Tongues of amphibian vary considerably.
 Some amphibian have no tongues.Some amphibian have no tongues.
 Ex. CaeciliansEx. Caecilians
 Some amphibians have a very longSome amphibians have a very long
tongue with sticky tips.tongue with sticky tips.
 Ex. Most toadsEx. Most toads
 Amphibian tongues in betweenAmphibian tongues in between

8. Amphibian FeedingAmphibian Feeding
 Amphibians catch prey by using?Amphibians catch prey by using?
 Their tongueTheir tongue
 MouthMouth

11. FeedingFeeding
 Amphibians catch prey by using?Amphibians catch prey by using?
 Their tongueTheir tongue
 MouthMouth
 Once in there mouth, amphibians crushOnce in there mouth, amphibians crush
their prey with their jaws and swallow ittheir prey with their jaws and swallow it
whole.whole.
 Most Amphibians do not have teethMost Amphibians do not have teeth

12. FeedingFeeding
 How do amphibians push the food downHow do amphibians push the food down
their throat?their throat?
 Amphibians use their eyes to push theAmphibians use their eyes to push the
food down their throat.food down their throat.

16. Where They LiveWhere They Live
 Amphibians are mostly found?Amphibians are mostly found?
 Wetlands, swamps, or in moist areas.Wetlands, swamps, or in moist areas.
 Why do amphibians have to stay moist?Why do amphibians have to stay moist?
 If their skin dries up they will die.If their skin dries up they will die.

17. SkinSkin
 Amphibians skin is considered to beAmphibians skin is considered to be
semi-permeable.semi-permeable.
 Semi-permeable means liquids andSemi-permeable means liquids and
gases can pass through their skin, butgases can pass through their skin, but
not solids.not solids.
 If amphibians are in a dry environment,If amphibians are in a dry environment,
there is nothing to stop water fromthere is nothing to stop water from
moving out of their body.moving out of their body.

19. SkinSkin
 But what happens when they are in waterBut what happens when they are in water
that has toxic chemicals in it?that has toxic chemicals in it?
 The toxins get absorbed into their bodyThe toxins get absorbed into their body
with the water and they die.with the water and they die.
 Amphibians are considered to beAmphibians are considered to be
Bio-IndicatorsBio-Indicators

20. Bio-IndicatorsBio-Indicators
 Bio-IndicatorBio-Indicator – is an organism that– is an organism that
indicates whether or not an area isindicates whether or not an area is
healthy.healthy.
 Amphibians are widely used to figure outAmphibians are widely used to figure out
how healthy wetlands are.how healthy wetlands are.
 Example: If a pond has lots of frogs, youExample: If a pond has lots of frogs, you
would know the water is clean and free ofwould know the water is clean and free of
toxins.toxins.

21. Reproduction MethodsReproduction Methods
 OviparousOviparous – egg layers– egg layers
 ViviparousViviparous – live birth– live birth
 OvoviviparousOvoviviparous – eggs hatch in side– eggs hatch in side
mother and the young live in her untilmother and the young live in her until
maturity.maturity.