Characteristics of Amphibians

Among the well-known and rare “exotic animals”, we find amphibians. According to their classification as living beings, they are vertebrates and an amniotes; that is, without amnion (the liquid medium in which an embryo is formed as they have in mammals, birds and reptiles). These curious little animals have gill and lung breathing. When they are larvae, they breathe through the bronchi; then in their adult stage, they begin to develop pulmonary breathing.

Generally, they have four legs, which is why they are also known as tetrapod. They can regulate their body temperature through the ambient temperature of their environment or surroundings, as their body needs. They have a special and unique characteristic, which leads them to make a difference among other animal species: during their entire life cycle they undergo a transformation.

Said process of change, which is known as the famous metamorphosis, is a developmental process in which the animal undergoes intense structural and physiological changes. Furthermore, amphibians are also known as the oldest land animals and vertebrates in the entire world.

As a curious fact, according to the meaning of its name, the term AMPHIBIOUS means “double life”. Therefore, it is interesting to know that they have this double life, since in their adult stage they live on land, while in their larval stage they develop and live in the water. These little animals can live both on the aquatic surface and on land, without any difficulty.

Characteristics of amphibians

• Amphibians are part of the Amphibian.
• They have four legs, with four toes on the upper extremities and five toes on the lower ones.
• They lack hairs, feathers, or scales.
• They have bare skin, which allows them to absorb oxygen and water through their pores.
• They have gill, lung and skin respiration.
• Since they are vertebrates, they have an internal skeleton.
• Their reproduction is through eggs, which is why they are called oviparous.
• Regarding their reproduction, they can present internal and external fertilization, depending on the case of the species.
• They undergo a state of metamorphosis as part of their development.
• They have an adjustment or coupling system in their body temperature. That is, they can be regulated according to the temperature of the environment in which they are found.
• They have large and protruding eyes, which ensure a very good vision.
• They have few teeth.
• Most of them have a variation in colors on their skin, a kind of camouflage that they use to hide and confuse their predators.
• There is a huge variety of amphibian species, exceeding the number of 6000. Despite this, the population of these animals has decreased significantly, due to many influencing factors in their habitat, such as pollution, climate change and the destruction of their habitat. Habitat.

Instructions

Reproduction by species

Amphibians have separate sexes, that is, they are dioeciously, and in many cases they have sexual disformism. In addition, they present internal fertilization, but also external fertilization, without forgetting that the vast majority are oviparous. As for their reproductive system, females have two ovaries and in the case of males, two testicles.

During internal fertilization, they do not have the medium that helps the transport of spermatozoa; in other words, they don’t have ovulatory organs like humans. The males simply excrete the sperm, while the females introduce them into themselves, in order to fertilize themselves.

In their reproduction stage, a large number of them usually gather, generally in seasonal periods that favor rain and humidity. In most of them, it is the males who go in search of females, emitting attractive sounds, to seduce them and be able to mate with them.  Their reproductive cycle is distributed in three parts: the phase as an egg, the phase as a larva and the phase from which they undergo metamorphosis.

Amphibians can reproduce in a variety of ways, and in a variety of species, since some are oviparous and others are ovoviviparous and some are even viviparous. There is something very unique that differentiates the eggs of amphibians from those of reptiles or birds; this is that these other eggs generally do not present dehydration problems.

However, amphibian eggs need to be deposited in fresh water, with the exception of certain cases that can be deposited on land, since being prone to dehydration, they need water. Despite this, amphibian eggs have a layer with a gelatinous substance in the form of membranes that protect them.

Pest control

Amphibians are of utmost importance for the control of the proliferation of pests  throughout the world. However, while they can be a very unusual pet, they can help you rid your environment of pests that might invade your space.

Within the range of amphibians, the much appreciated little frogs and the famous toads exceed the highest index of virtues in terms of pest control, because they feed primarily on flies and mosquitoes.

Having frogs and toads in your garden will help you reduce the rate of pests that in one way or harm your environment and that of your family. These little friends are commonly known as “biological pest controllers.”

Remember that by effectively controlling pests you can prevent the transmission of different diseases, viruses and infections that are spread by flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes. Furthermore, we already know that the greatest driver of viruses and other diseases is the mosquito.

According to the approval of several researchers and some studies carried out, amphibians play an essential role in pest control. For the most part, these little animals are very important in crop production, as they keep away or reduce the proliferation of pests that can affect the development or life of what you are growing.

There is great importance in the existence of amphibians in most crops. However, even in the city or any social environment they are necessary as part of the ecosystem, since they are responsible for eliminating the proliferation of pests that harm the health of humanity.

Therefore, many institutions have already considered it of great importance to establish reproductive sites for some types of amphibians, so that they can develop and comply with the biological cycle that corresponds to them, thus regulating the high rate of pests.

On the other hand, although we know that insecticides are an effective and fast method, it is difficult and very expensive to eliminate or reduce pests in some plantations or crops.  However, the technological and natural idea that we present is more effective, more natural and less costly.

Amphibians can fulfill the role of natural insecticides, in a more ecological and economic way. No risks to your health and that of your loved ones.

What do you need:

To learn more about amphibians, you need to know how to differentiate a reptile from an amphibian and how oviparous animals reproduce.

Tips

Studying the productive use of amphibians in pest control, we can affirm that the adoption of amphibians is not only to keep them as pets, but also to improve the environmental conditions of the environment where you live. For this reason, having a unique, economical, little-care and striking pet is an excellent alternative for you.

Likewise, it is extremely important to know specifically the characteristics and biological cycles of each amphibian, so that you can choose the ideal pet for you according to your rhythm of life.

You’ll need to know your pets unique needs, such as how sensitive toads, frogs, or salamanders are to changes in temperature. To do this, we present below some useful tips when choosing an amphibian as a pet.

1. First of all, you should inform yourself and learn about the characteristics and survival needs of amphibians in general, and then choose the one that best suits your lifestyle.
2. You must establish an adequate space, healthy and with a cool temperature; that it has good sunlight and present it with a space with water and soil, since they develop in both.
3. You must establish an adequate diet for your pet, according to its species.
4. After buying or acquiring your exotic and unique pet, you must follow an animal doctor who has some specialty in the area of ​​amphibians.
5. We know that every child is curious, especially if they are small; therefore, you must take into account that amphibians may not be safe for children, since some of them, feeling threatened or invading their environment, can produce toxic substances;  releasing them into the environment as a defense system and others can bite.
6. In addition, they have a terrible bacterium in their feces called salmonella, which produces infectious diseases that can even cause the death of young children.
7. Therefore, we highly recommend that you keep your pet clean, as well as your house and the entire environment where it moves or the surface where you place it.
8. At the time of caressing or holding it, immediately after you must wash your hands to avoid contagion or the spread of diseases.
9. Finally, you should not be intimidated by the spread of diseases; with proper cleaning habits you will be able to enjoy your exotic pet without any problem.