DK - WOW! The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything

Although amphibians look a little like scaly reptiles, they

do not have waterproof skin, so cannot live in hot, dry

places where they might dry out. Most hide away by

day, and emerge only at night. They must also lay

their eggs in ponds and other wet places,

and many spend their early lives as

aquatic tadpoles.

Amphibians

(^6) POISON DART FROG
Tiny tree frogs of American tropical
forests are protected by powerful
poisons on their skin. Some are so
deadly that local people use them
to make poison darts.
Colourful lumps and
bumps ooze toxic
fluids for protection
from predators
Common frogs are able
to lighten or darken
their skins to blend in
with their surroundings
(^1) COMMON FROG
All amphibians eat live animals,
which they hunt by sight. The frog
on the left is leaping through the
air to catch a ladybird, which it
will snap up and swallow alive.
(^4) MIDWIFE TOAD
Most frogs and toads lay their eggs
in water, but the male midwife toad
wraps the strings of eggs around his
legs and looks after them until they
are ready to hatch.
Frog’s thin, moist
skin can absorb
oxygen directly
from the air
Big eyes help
poison dart frogs
see well in the
dark forest
Midwife
toad
Tin
ker^ v
ine^ frog
Mandarin
salam
ande
r
Po
iso
n^
da
rt
fr
og
Aus
tralian^ tree^ frog

M

ad

ag

as

ca

n^

to

m

ato

fr

ogs

Euro

pean^ common^ frogs

Caecilian

1

10

9

8

7

6

4

(^7) MANDARIN SALAMANDER
Salamanders and newts are rather
like frogs with long tails. Some,
like the Asian mandarin salamander,
have vividly coloured skin that
warns enemies that they are
poisonous to eat.
(^8) AUSTRALIAN TREE FROG
Tree frogs have suckers on the tips
of their toes so that they can cling
to wet foliage. Most tree frogs
only visit pools of water to breed.
(^9) TOMATO FROG
Many frogs and toads, like these
tomato frogs, defend themselves
by inflating their bodies with air
(^34) so that they are harder to eat.
034_035_Amphibians.indd 34 03/01/19 12:09 PM