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Reptiles and Amphibians - Amphibians

Frogs, toads and newts live between land and water. Explore what makes an amphibian, how they grow, and where they hide, then test your knowledge below.

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Fascinating Fact

Many amphibians hibernate or become inactive in cold weather, sheltering under logs, stones, or in deep mud at the bottom of ponds.

In this Specialist Nature topic, you will learn what amphibians are, how they differ from reptiles, and why moisture matters so much to them. You will also look at common life cycle stages, from eggs and tadpoles to adults, plus habitats, diet, and simple identification clues.

Key Terms

Amphibian: A cold-blooded vertebrate that usually starts life in water and later can live on land, such as frogs, toads and newts.
Metamorphosis: A big change in body form during growth, for example a tadpole developing legs and lungs.
Tadpole: The larval stage of a frog or toad that lives in water and swims with a tail before becoming an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the difference between reptiles and amphibians?

Amphibians usually have moist skin and many spend part of their life in water, often starting as larvae like tadpoles. Reptiles have dry, scaly skin and lay eggs or give birth on land.

Why do amphibians need damp places to live?

Many amphibians absorb water through their skin, so they can dry out quickly in hot or windy conditions. Damp habitats help them stay hydrated and support their breathing through skin and lungs.

How can you tell a frog from a toad?

Frogs often have smoother skin and longer legs for jumping, while toads tend to have drier, bumpier skin and shorter legs for walking. There are exceptions, so location and behaviour also help.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

The pupils of the yellow-bellied toad are what shape?

Photograph courtesy of Christian Fischer.

Club

Diamond

Heart

Spade

Order: Anura
Family: Bombinatoridae
Genus: Bombina
Species: B. variegata
The eardrums are not visible.
The overside has numerous warts with raised swirls.
It doesn't have a vocal bladder, therefore the male's mating call is a gentle sound.

2 .

Toads have a long association with European witchcraft as 'familiars'. What is a familiar?

Photograph courtesy of Bartosz Kosiorek

A witch's animal aiding in magic

A demon set out to destroy the world

The village storyteller

The village idiot

Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Bufo
Species: B. bufo
Widespread and common throughout Europe.
They have warty skin, usually green to brown.
They mainly hunt at night and can be spotted in wet weather.
Emit a toxic substance called bufagin in defence.

3 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Grand-Duc, Wikipedia

Marsh Frog

Edible Frog

Painted Frog

Pool Frog

Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Pelophylax
Species: P. lessonae × P. ridibundus
Naturalised in Britain.
Males have vocal sacs on the outside of their cheeks and extra skin patches on their feet, both of which are primarily for mating.
The legs are a culinary delicacy in France.

4 .

The Natterjack Toad is a main character in a children's book by Edward Eager. What is the book called?

Photograph courtesy of Piet Spaans

The Magic Garden

The Silent Garden

The Secret Garden

The Time Garden

Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Epidalea
Species: E. calamita
Native to Britain, although practically confined to coastal sites.
Has a tendency to run instead of hopping or walking.
Natterjacks males have a very loud and distinctive mating call.

The Natterjack is portrayed as a magical creature who understands the laws of magic and time and assists the children on their adventures

5 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Piet Spaans

Italian Crested Newt

Alpine Newt

Great Crested Newt

Palmate Newt

Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Triturus
Species: T. cristatus
Native to Great Britain.
Mating is achieved without direct contact.
The female lays 2-3 eggs per day until 200-300 eggs have been laid! This can take up to 5 months.

6 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Richard Bartz

European Tree Frog

Common Frog

American Bullfrog

Midwife Toad

Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Rana
Species: R. temporaria
Are known to be able to lighten and darken their skin in order to match their surroundings.
They have transparent horizontal pupils.
The mating season is short, just a week in March after which the frogs move back to their terrestrial habitat.

7 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Miaow Miaow

Red Salamander

Fire Salamander

Axolotl

Spotted Salamander

Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Salamandra
Species: S. salamandra
Can have a very long lifespan.
One lived for more than 50 years in a German natural history museum.
If grabbed by a predator, they can release heavy toxic skin secretions.

8 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Christian Fischer.

Palmate Newt

Alpine Newt

Great Crested Newt

Italian Crested Newt

Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Lissotriton
Species: L. helveticus
The smallest British amphibian.
Has strongly webbed back feet that males develop during the breeding season.
The tail has an orange central line passing along its length.

9 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Piet Spaans

Pool Frog

Painted Frog

Edible Frog

Marsh Frog

Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Pelophylax
Species: P. lessonae
In Britain, it was presumed extinct in the wild at the last remaining site by 1995.
A single individual known from this population survived in captivity until 1999.
An English Nature reintroduction project is underway in Breckland.

10 .

Can you identify this amphibian?

Photograph courtesy of Bogbumper

Alpine Newt

Palmate Newt

Fire Salamander

Smooth Newt

Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Lissotriton
Species: L. vulgaris
They have a paddle-like tail to increase the speed at which they swim.
Also, they have a pale throat with conspicuous spots.
When on land, their skin is velvety.
During courtship, the male vibrates his tail in front of the female in a distinctive way.

Author: Sarah Garratty

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