Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates, like reptiles, but require a moist environment to survive. Amphibian fossils were first discovered 419 million years ago during the Devonian period. Amphibians are distinguished by their permeable skin, which they use for breathing, absorbing water, and protection through the generation of poison in their skin glands. Amphibians lay eggs, which then go through the process of metamorphosis: the eggs hatch into limbless larvae, which are water hosted creatures that swim, that then transform into limbed adults that live primarily on land and breathe air. An important ecological indicator, due to their especially restrictive habitat requirements, amphibians are the first to die off when their environment is disturbed; this is why over half of all frog species are facing extinction.

What is the difference between amphibians and reptiles?

The difference between amphibians and reptiles is that reptiles are born with a set of lungs while amphibians are born with gills that help them breathe underwater and then grow lungs and legs later on. Also, reptiles have scales while in comparison amphibians have thin and smooth skin.

How do amphibians breathe?

Generally, amphibians breathe through their lungs as well as their skin. The skin of amphibians has to stay wet so amphibians can absorb the oxygen to effectively secrete mucous to keep their skin moist. If the skin of amphibians gets too dry, they cannot breathe and will die.

What habitats are most common for amphibians?

The most common habitats for amphibians are meadows, springs, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, bogs, and marshes. Amphibians can also be found in swamps, vernal ponds, and farmland. Amphibians have adapted to be able to live almost anywhere and exhibit it through characteristics in their body and behaviors.

Amphibians Guides
Browse through our curated Amphibians Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Amphibians. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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.67”-1.02” | 1.7-2.6 cm
.83”-1.34” | 2.1-3.4 cm
2”-3” | 5.1-7.6 cm
.05-.07 oz | 1.5-2 g
8-15 years
African Dwarf Frog
2.600
3.400
7.600
0.002
15.00
36800
GUIDE
3D
African Dwarf Frog
.31”-.55” | .8-1.4 cm
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
2.75”-4.72” | 7-12 cm
.05-.23 oz | 1.4-6.4 g
15-30 years
Alpine Newt
1.400
1.200
12.000
0.006
30.00
3200
GUIDE
3D
Alpine Newt
1.65”-2.56” | 4.2-6.5 cm
1.14”-1.85” | 2.9-4.7 cm
2.5”-4” | 6.4-10.2 cm
.14-.18 oz | 4-5 g
5-10 years
Amazon Milk Frog
6.500
4.700
10.200
0.005
10.00
18400
GUIDE
3D
Amazon Milk Frog
2.24”-3.9” | 5.7-9.9 cm
1.69”-2.87” | 4.3-7.3 cm
3.5”-6” | 8.9-15.2 cm
1-1.8 lb | .45-.82 kg
7-16 years
American Bullfrog
9.900
7.300
15.200
0.820
16.00
19700
GUIDE
3D
American Bullfrog
.98”-1.73” | 2.5-4.4 cm
.67”-1.18” | 1.7-3 cm
1.5”-2.5” | 3.8-6.4 cm
.28-.32 oz | 8-9 g
10-20 years
Blue Poison Dart Frog
4.400
3.000
6.400
0.009
20.00
9500
GUIDE
3D
Blue Poison Dart Frog
.51”-.83” | 1.3-2.1 cm
.47”-.79” | 1.2-2 cm
4.72”-7.87” | 12-20 cm
.21-.39 oz | 6-11 g
15-30 years
California Newt
2.100
2.000
20.000
0.011
30.00
2700
GUIDE
3D
California Newt
.79”-1.25” | 2-3.2 cm
.98”-1.57” | 2.5-4 cm
7.87”-13” | 20-33 cm
4-5.5 lb | 1.8-2.5 kg
10-30 years
Common Mudpuppy
3.200
4.000
33.000
0.003
30.00
2350
GUIDE
3D
Common Mudpuppy
1.97”-3.27” | 5-8.3 cm
1.73”-2.87” | 4.4-7.3 cm
3”-5” | 7.6-12.7 cm
.7-2.8 oz | 20-79 g
10-40 years
Common Toad
8.300
7.300
12.700
0.079
40.00
19400
GUIDE
3D
Common Toad
.87”-1.42” | 2.2-3.6 cm
1.57”-2.75” | 4-7 cm
9.45”-15.75” | 24-40 cm
4-6 lb | 1.8-2.7 kg
12-30 years
Eastern Hellbender
3.600
7.000
40.000
0.003
30.00
2050
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Hellbender
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
.24”-.39” | .6-1 cm
2.36”-3.94” | 6-10 cm
.18-.39 oz | 5-11 g
12-15 years
Eastern Newt
1.200
1.000
10.000
0.011
15.00
6000
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Newt
.39”-.59” | 10-15 mm (Diameter)
.39”-.59” | 10-15 mm (Diameter)
13.8”-15.75” | 35-40 cm
11-20 years
Gaboon Caecilian
1.500
1.500
40.000
20.00
30
GUIDE
3D
Gaboon Caecilian
1.3”-1.65” | 3.3-4.2 cm
.79”-1.02” | 2-2.6 cm
1.75”-2.2” | 4.4-5.6 cm
.5-1 oz | 14-28 g
10-20 years
Golden Poison Frog
4.200
2.600
5.600
0.028
20.00
13800
GUIDE
3D
Golden Poison Frog
4.13”-7.91” | 10.5-20.1 cm
4.69”-8.82” | 11.9-22.4 cm
6.7”-12.6” | 17-32 cm
7-7.4 lb | 3.2-3.4 kg
15-21 years
Goliath Frog
20.100
22.400
32.000
3.400
21.00
25200
GUIDE
3D
Goliath Frog
.51”-.83” | 1.3-2.1 cm
.43”-.71” | 1.1-1.8 cm
4.33”-7.09” | 11-18 cm
.12-.18 oz | 3.5-5 g
6-20 years
Jefferson Salamander
2.100
1.800
18.000
0.005
20.00
2200
GUIDE
3D
Jefferson Salamander
.59”-1.18” | 15-30 mm (Diameter)
.59”-1.18” | 15-30 mm (Diameter)
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm
10-14 years
Mexican Burrowing Caecilian
3.000
3.000
50.000
14.00
260
GUIDE
3D
Mexican Burrowing Caecilian
.94”-1.57” | 2.4-4 cm
1.06”-1.81” | 2.7-4.6 cm
1.8”-3” | 4.5-7.6 cm
.05-.07 oz | 1.5-2 g
5-6 years
Mink Frog
4.000
4.600
7.600
0.002
6.00
1210
GUIDE
3D
Mink Frog
.31”-.71” | .8-1.8 cm
.24”-.47” | .6-1.2 cm
2.36”-5.51” | 6-14 cm
.16-.46 oz | 4.5-13 g
10-15 years
Northern Dusky Salamander
1.800
1.200
14.000
0.013
15.00
650
GUIDE
3D
Northern Dusky Salamander
.98”-2.24” | 2.5-5.7 cm
.87”-2” | 2.2-5.1 cm
2”-4.5” | 5.1-11.4 cm
.75-1 oz | 21-28 g
3-9 years
Northern Leopard Frog
5.700
5.100
11.400
0.028
9.00
5090
GUIDE
3D
Northern Leopard Frog
.35”-.39” | .9-1 cm
.35”-.39” | .9-1 cm
9.06”-9.84” | 23-25 cm
.6-5.3 oz | 17-150 g
60-100 years
Olm | Proteus
1.000
1.000
25.000
0.150
100.00
52100
GUIDE
3D
Olm | Proteus
.8”-1.57” | 2-4 cm
.67”-1.34” | 1.7-3.4 cm
1.75”-3.5” | 4.4-8.9 cm
.09-.12 oz | 2.5-3.5 g
5-8 years
Pickerel Frog
4.000
3.400
8.900
0.004
8.00
5820
GUIDE
3D
Pickerel Frog
1.22”-1.77” | 3.1-4.5 cm
.91”-1.5” | 2.3-3.8 cm
2”-3” | 5.1-7.6 cm
.2-.5 oz | 2.8-14 g
4-12 years
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
4.500
3.800
7.600
0.014
12.00
34300
GUIDE
3D
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
.47”-.79” | 12-20 mm (Diameter)
.47”-.79” | 12-20 mm (Diameter)
11”-17.7” | 28-45 cm
1-2 years
Ringed Caecilian
2.000
2.000
45.000
2.00
450
GUIDE
3D
Ringed Caecilian
.79”-.98” | 20-25 mm (Diameter)
.79”-.98” | 20-25 mm (Diameter)
18.1”-22” | 46-56 cm
4-5 years
Rubber Eel
2.500
2.500
56.000
5.00
2300
GUIDE
3D
Rubber Eel
.43”-.59” | 1.1-1.5 cm
.35”-.55” | .9-1.4 cm
4.72”-6.69” | 12-17 cm
.13-.15 oz | 3.6-4.2 g
6-20 years
Slimy Salamander
1.500
1.400
17.000
0.004
20.00
1250
GUIDE
3D
Slimy Salamander
.71”-1.18” | 1.8-3 cm
.59”-.98” | 1.5-2.5 cm
5.91”-9.84” | 15-25 cm
.4-.6 oz | 11-17 g
20-30 years
Spotted Salamander
3.000
2.500
25.000
0.017
30.00
12900
GUIDE
3D
Spotted Salamander
.51”-.87” | 1.3-2.2 cm
.43”-.71” | 1.1-1.8 cm
.8”-1.3” | 2-3.3 cm
.1-.2 oz | 2.8-5.7 g
2-3 years
Spring Peeper
2.200
1.800
3.300
0.006
3.00
9050
GUIDE
3D
Spring Peeper
.12”-.31” | 3-8 mm (Diameter)
.12”-.31” | 3-8 mm (Diameter)
5.9”-14.6” | 15-37 cm
1-2 years
Taita African Caecilian
0.800
0.800
37.000
2.00
150
GUIDE
3D
Taita African Caecilian
.31”-.47” | 8-12 mm (Diameter)
.31”-.47” | 8-12 mm (Diameter)
39.4”-59” | 1-1.5 m
10-13 years
Thompson's Caecilian
1.200
1.200
150.000
13.00
180
GUIDE
3D
Thompson's Caecilian
.71”-.91” | 1.8-2.3 cm
.79”-1.1” | 2-2.8 cm
5.91”-7.87” | 15-20 cm
2.1-4.6 oz | 60-130 g
14-25 years
Tiger Salamander
2.300
2.800
20.000
0.130
25.00
23700
GUIDE
3D
Tiger Salamander
.71”-1.42” | 1.8-3.6 cm
.55”-1.14” | 1.4-2.9 cm
1.4”-2.8” | 3.6-7.1 cm
.3-.5 oz | 8.5-14 g
3-5 years
Wood Frog
3.600
2.900
7.100
0.014
5.00
16150
GUIDE
3D
Wood Frog
Alpine Newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Alpine Newt compared to other salamanders

The alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, is a newt species that is native to continental Europe; it’s been introduced to Great Britain and New Zealand. They are dark gray to blue on the back and sides with an orange belly and throat, and the female alpine newts are duller in color. They reside mainly in forested land habitats, and the adults will migrate to puddles, ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water for breeding. Both the larvae and adults consume invertebrates, and they fall prey to dragonfly larvae, large beetles, fish, snakes, birds, and mammals.

The Alpine Newt has an overall length between 2.75”-4.72” (7-12 cm), body width of .28”-.47” (.7-1.2 cm), body height of .31”-.55” (.8-1.4 cm), and weight between .05-.23 oz (1.4-6.4 g). The typical lifespan of the Alpine Newt is between 15-30 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Alpine Newt
The alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, is a newt species that is native to continental Europe; it’s been introduced to Great Britain and New Zealand. They are dark gray to blue on the back and sides with an orange belly and throat, and the female alpine newts are duller in color.

The Alpine Newt has an overall length between 2.75”-4.72” (7-12 cm), body width of .28”-.47” (.7-1.2 cm), body height of .31”-.55” (.8-1.4 cm), and weight between .05-.23 oz (1.4-6.4 g). The typical lifespan of the Alpine Newt is between 15-30 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Alpine Newt
Alpine Newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris)
Height:
.31”-.55” | .8-1.4 cm
Width:
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
Length:
2.75”-4.72” | 7-12 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.05-.23 oz | 1.4-6.4 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Ichthyosaura alpestris
Lifespan
15-30 years

Drawings include:

Alpine Newt top view, side

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Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Mink Frog to other frogs

The mink frog, Lithobathes septentrionalis, is a small frog species that is native to the United States and Canada. Its name references their scent, which reportedly smells like a mink.  Physically they have a green dorsum with darker green and brown blotching; their belly is cream, yellow, or white. The mink frog lives in predominantly aquatic areas among vegetation in ponds, swamps, and streams in wooded areas. As tadpoles they eat mostly algae and decaying plant matter, and as they age they feed on spiders, snails, beetles, and other invertebrates.

The Mink Frog has an overall length between 1.8”-3” (4.5-7.6 cm), body width of 1.06”-1.81” (2.7-4.6 cm), sitting height of roughly .94”-1.57” (2.4-4 cm), and weight between .05-.07 oz (1.5-2 g). The typical lifespan of the Mink Frog is between 5-6 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Mink Frog in various poses
The mink frog, Lithobathes septentrionalis, is a small frog species that is native to the United States and Canada. Its name references their scent, which reportedly smells like a mink. Physically they have a green dorsum with darker green and brown blotching; their belly is cream, yellow, or white.

The Mink Frog has an overall length between 1.8”-3” (4.5-7.6 cm), body width of 1.06”-1.81” (2.7-4.6 cm), sitting height of roughly .94”-1.57” (2.4-4 cm), and weight between .05-.07 oz (1.5-2 g). The typical lifespan of the Mink Frog is between 5-6 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Mink Frog in various poses
Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis)
Height:
.94”-1.57” | 2.4-4 cm
Width:
1.06”-1.81” | 2.7-4.6 cm
Length:
1.8”-3” | 4.5-7.6 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.05-.07 oz | 1.5-2 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Lithobates septentrionalis
Lifespan
5-6 years

Drawings include:

Mink Frog side elevation, front, plan

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Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Scale illustration of an average Eastern Newt compared to other salamander species

The eastern newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, is a common newt in eastern North America; they are also common aquarium pets, either collected from the wild or sold commercially. They reside in small lakes, ponds, streams, or nearby wet forests. Their production of tetrodotoxin makes the species inedible to predatory fish and crayfish. Eastern newts have three stages of life, the aquatic larva or tadpole, the red eft or terrestrial juvenile states, and the aquatic adult. In their juvenile phase, they are bright orange and land-dwelling and eventually turn a dull olive green, with a dull yellow belly in the adult stage.

The Eastern Newt has an overall length between 2.36”-3.94” (6-10 cm), body width of .24”-.39” (.6-1 cm), body height of .28”-.47” (.7-1.2 cm), and weight between .18-.39 oz (5-11 g). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Newt is between 12-15 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Eastern Newt
The eastern newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, is a common newt in eastern North America; they are also common aquarium pets, either collected from the wild or sold commercially. They reside in small lakes, ponds, streams, or nearby wet forests.

The Eastern Newt has an overall length between 2.36”-3.94” (6-10 cm), body width of .24”-.39” (.6-1 cm), body height of .28”-.47” (.7-1.2 cm), and weight between .18-.39 oz (5-11 g). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Newt is between 12-15 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Eastern Newt
Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Height:
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
Width:
.24”-.39” | .6-1 cm
Length:
2.36”-3.94” | 6-10 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.18-.39 oz | 5-11 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Notophthalmus viridescens
Lifespan
12-15 years

Drawings include:

Eastern Newt top view, side

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Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath)
Scale illustration of an average Goliath Frog compared to other frog species

The goliath frog, Conraua goliath, is the largest living frog. They can be found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, but the population is decreasing due to habitat destruction and its desirability for food and the pet trade. Physically, they have fully webbed toes; their dorsal coloration is green sienna, and the abdomen and ventral part of the limbs are yellow and orange. As tadpoles, they are herbivorous and feed on one aquatic plant, Dicraela wamingil, but adult goliath frogs eat spiders, worms, insects, smaller frogs, crabs, baby turtles, and young snakes.

The Goliath Frog has an overall length between 6.7”-12.6” (17-32 cm), body width of 4.69”-8.82” (11.9-22.4 cm), sitting height of roughly 4.13”-7.91” (10.5-20.1 cm), and weight between 7-7.4 lb (3.2-3.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Goliath Frog is between 15-21 years.

Series of top and side view illustrations of the Goliath Frog
The goliath frog, Conraua goliath, is the largest living frog. They can be found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, but the population is decreasing due to habitat destruction and its desirability for food and the pet trade. Physically, their dorsal coloration is green sienna.

The Goliath Frog has an overall length between 6.7”-12.6” (17-32 cm), body width of 4.69”-8.82” (11.9-22.4 cm), sitting height of roughly 4.13”-7.91” (10.5-20.1 cm), and weight between 7-7.4 lb (3.2-3.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Goliath Frog is between 15-21 years.

Series of top and side view illustrations of the Goliath Frog
Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath)
Height:
4.13”-7.91” | 10.5-20.1 cm
Width:
4.69”-8.82” | 11.9-22.4 cm
Length:
6.7”-12.6” | 17-32 cm
Depth:
Weight:
7-7.4 lb | 3.2-3.4 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Conraua goliath
Lifespan
15-21 years

Drawings include:

Goliath Frog side elevation, front, plan

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American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Comparison drawing of the American Bullfrog compared to other frogs

The American Bullfrog, native to the southern and eastern parts of the United States, is determined as the largest frog in North America. It gets its name from its loud call, sharing similarity in sound to that of a roaring bull. This call is a way for the male bullfrog to defend the boundaries of its territory. The color of the bullfrog varies between green and olive to brown with a cream belly. Being amphibious, the bullfrog typically resides near bodies of still-water such as swamps and ponds, laying its eggs in the water with the tadpole stage lasting one to three years.

The American Bullfrog has an overall length between 3.5”-6” (8.9-15.2 cm), body width of 1.69”-2.87” (4.3-7.3 cm), sitting height of roughly 2.24”-3.9” (5.7-9.9 cm), and weight between 1-1.8 lb (.45-.82 kg). The typical lifespan of the American Bullfrog is between 7-16 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the American Bullfrog
The American Bullfrog, native to the southern and eastern parts of the United States, is determined as the largest frog in North America. It gets its name from its loud call, sharing similarity in sound to that of a roaring bull. This call is a way for the male bullfrog to defend their territory.

The American Bullfrog has an overall length between 3.5”-6” (8.9-15.2 cm), body width of 1.69”-2.87” (4.3-7.3 cm), sitting height of roughly 2.24”-3.9” (5.7-9.9 cm), and weight between 1-1.8 lb (.45-.82 kg). The typical lifespan of the American Bullfrog is between 7-16 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the American Bullfrog
American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Height:
2.24”-3.9” | 5.7-9.9 cm
Width:
1.69”-2.87” | 4.3-7.3 cm
Length:
3.5”-6” | 8.9-15.2 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1-1.8 lb | .45-.82 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Lithobates catesbeianus
Lifespan
7-16 years

Drawings include:

American Bullfrog side elevation, front, plan

Details & Downloads

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