Amphibians

Amphibians have a good reason to be slimy! Scientists believe that Amphibians are the oldest order of vertebrates (animals with spines) to have adapted to life on land. While fish use gills to breathe underwater, amphibians use their skin to absorb oxygen and water. This is why a frog's skin needs to remain constantly moist --as some would put it "slimy". If it dries out, they suffocate!

Sadly, the same evolutionary advantage that allowed them to leave the water millions of years ago also makes them extra vulnerable to pesticides and other man-made pollutants that make their way into the water table. Not only are these amazing creatures are a crucial link in the food chain, eating millions of insects and, in turn, being eating by Herons, Egrets, Beavers, Muskrats, Mink and many others, they are also an indicator of environmental health! The same water they absorb through their skin runs through our faucets and vitalizes our crops. The danger they are in is largely our doing, and it's up to us to set things right.


Frog, Western Chorus	Frog, Green	Frog, Gray Tree

Frog, Leopard

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