Amphibians
how to recognise certain animals in your environment;
the structural traits and importance of fish;
which traits make it possible for fish to live in the water.
to name the structural traits of amphibians;
to differentiate between the characteristics that allow amphibians to survive on land and in water;
to recognise certain amphibians;
to describe the importance of amphibians in the environment.
How are amphibians different?
AmphibiansAmphibians are an animal which lives both on land and in water. They have two pairs of limbs, which make it possible for them to move around on land and in water. Certain amphibians rarely leave the water, others live on land in thick vegetation or on trees and only return to the water during reproduction. Amphibians' skin is covered in mucus, which reduces resistance in the water and on land and prevents them from drying out. The fingers of their limbs have a tight membrane, which makes it easier for them to swim. Their shellless eggs, called spawnspawn, are laid in water. From the eggs, larvae called tadpolestadpoles hatch. They develop in the water and breathe using gills.
Adult amphibians are predators. They feed on insects and other tiny invertebrates; some of them are even able to hunt mice. They themselves are food for many aquatic animals (for example predatory fish) and land animals (birds, snakes and certain mammals). Among amphibians, newts and the spotted salamander, who are equipped with tails, are counted, along with the tailless frogs, common toads, fire‑bellied toads, and tree frogs.
The necessity for amphibians to migrate to water every year to breed causes them to come out into the roads en masse and die under the wheels of cars. To save amphibians, it is possible to put up special fences, which make it impossible for them to get on to the asphalt, and take the amphibians to the other side. A partial solution is to build special passages under the roads.
Amphibians are very sensitive to large changes in their environment. The mass extinction of amphibians in the environment around us is proof of unfavourable changes in natural conditions.
Which amphibians live in Poland?
Currently, only 18 species of amphibian occur in Poland. Because, for example, small ponds in which they can breed have been filled in and due to environmental pollution, there are less and less of them. This is why all species of amphibian are under protection in Poland.
Among tailed amphibians, the most common in the country are newts. This is a small animal which lives in overgrown ponds and lakes. With the end of the summer, they come out onto land and hide in damp places. They usually hunt at night. From autumn, they search for a winter hideout, most commonly burying themselves in the ground. Certain specimens winter at the bottom of reservoirs, buried in the mud.
The spotted salamander lives completely differently. It is a land animal, encountered in the South of Poland in damp leafy forests. Their fertilised eggs develop inside the females' bodies. When the larvae hatch, the female carries them straight to a slow flowing stream or puddle. Adult salamanders can't swim very well, and sink in fast flowing or deep water.
Frogs in Poland are divided into green and brown. Green frogs, for example, the pool frog, spend most of their time in water. Brown frogs, for example, the common frog, are happy to come out onto land, and mainly return to the water during the mating season.
Toads are amphibians which live on land. They defend themselves against predators with the help of venom, which is produced in glands in their skin. They feed on insects, but they are even able to hunt rodents, for example mice. Fire‑bellied toads are somewhat similar to small common toads, but they have vividly coloured bellies: yellow and black or orange and black. These colours are a warning, because fire‑bellied toads have glands in their skin which produce venom.
The tree frog is a small green amphibian, which is similar to the common frog, and spends most of its life on trees and other plants. It has discs on its fingers, which help it to climb trees. It hunts for insects there, which it often collects from leaves. It also eats beetles and spiders.
Many amphibians have glands in their skin which create venom to ward off predators. It is not a danger to human life, but it can painfully burn the skin. Therefore, it is best not to pick up amphibians, and if we want to move them to a safe place, it is best to use gloves.
Identify the characteristics that make it possible for amphibians to live in water.
- The fingers on their limbs have a tight membrane.
- Eyes covered with eyelids.
- Two strong pairs of limbs.
- A skin covered in mucus.
Decide if the statements about the environment and way of life of amphibians in Poland are true or false.
| True | False | |
| The spadefoot toad spends the majority of its life in trees. | □ | □ |
| Certain amphibians spend winter on land, others in the water. | □ | □ |
| All amphibians lay spawn in water. | □ | □ |
| The salamander mainly lives on land. | □ | □ |
Summary
Amphibians are an organism that live on both earth and land, they live in damp environments or in the vicinity of water.
18 species of amphibian live in Poland.
Collect information (for example, from your parents, teachers or from publications), on which amphibians occur in your area. Present them on a poster. If there are no amphibians, try to present possible reasons for their absence.
Keywords
amphibians, frog, spawn, tadpole
Glossary
kijanka – larwalna postać płaza żyjąca w środowisku wodnym i oddychająca skrzelami
skrzek – zapłodnione jaja płazów; zwykle zlepione galaretowatą substancją w pakiety lub sznury
płazy – zwierzęta o cienkiej, wilgotnej skórze, żyjące na lądzie, a rozmnażające się w wodzie; należą do nich m.in. żaby i ropuchy