Ugghh! Slimy frogs and warty toads... amphibians sure are gross. Here is a page all about them! What do you mean, "they don't deserve it!"
So what makes an amphibian?
To classify as an amphibian, you need to:
- Be born with gills - so you can breathe underwater
- Be cold-blooded
- When you get older, you can live on land
The Question...
Why are most amphibians slimy? Most are - frogs and toads would be much more likable if they didn't have this gooey texture. It's the focal reason that people hate them.
So why? Easy. Most amphibians don't have lungs, so they absorb oxygen through their skin. "But what does that have to do with slime?" I hear you cry. Well, slime is moist, right? And they can't absorb as well when it's dry, right? So if you put two and two together... the slime keeps the skin moist so they can breathe. |
Did you know...? A frog and toad's slime is made from...
...mucus.
|
So now we've got that sorted, we're gonna see some of these deadly amphibians...
Poison Dart frog
Look at all those colours on its skin! I mean, they're really LOUD! They're there, basically, as a DO NOT EAT ME sign.
And it probably expects every animal to follow this warning. Why? Because, when attacked, it releases are deadly toxin from their skin - lethal to most animals!
Scientists believe that the poison dart frog gains its poison by eating a specific arthropod - or some types of incests.
They think this because poison dart frogs in captivity never develop venom. Clever!
Not all are deadly - but the bright colours probably scare predators away! The most poisonous, it is believed, is the golden poison arrow frog - it's venom can kill lots of small animals and humans. The reason this frog has such a strange name is because the Emberá people (who live in Colombia) roast them over the fire, sweating the poison out of their skin. They use this poison for to tip their darts; all in the name of hunting.
And it probably expects every animal to follow this warning. Why? Because, when attacked, it releases are deadly toxin from their skin - lethal to most animals!
Scientists believe that the poison dart frog gains its poison by eating a specific arthropod - or some types of incests.
They think this because poison dart frogs in captivity never develop venom. Clever!
Not all are deadly - but the bright colours probably scare predators away! The most poisonous, it is believed, is the golden poison arrow frog - it's venom can kill lots of small animals and humans. The reason this frog has such a strange name is because the Emberá people (who live in Colombia) roast them over the fire, sweating the poison out of their skin. They use this poison for to tip their darts; all in the name of hunting.
Budgett's Frog
Yep - another frog! These are really fat, just take a look:
Uggh - that's enough to give us ScienceDorks nightmares! I mean, look at the size of it!
The way this animal catches its prey is: it hides in the water, with only it's eyes above the water. Then, it would strike, eating almost anything that fits in!
What a fat frog.
The way this animal catches its prey is: it hides in the water, with only it's eyes above the water. Then, it would strike, eating almost anything that fits in!
What a fat frog.
Spotted Salamander
Hmmm.... I wonder how it got its name?
These feisty creatures can reach up to a whooping 23cm long!
Woooooooaaah. Also, when threatened, it realises a toxin from their backs and tails, which puts most predators off.
So we've all learned a lesson: DON'T EAT ONE OF THESE!
These feisty creatures can reach up to a whooping 23cm long!
Woooooooaaah. Also, when threatened, it realises a toxin from their backs and tails, which puts most predators off.
So we've all learned a lesson: DON'T EAT ONE OF THESE!