Amphibians are animals that include all living tetrapods (four-legged vertebrates) that lay eggs, are ectothermic (body heat is regulated by the external environment), and spend part of their time on land. Amphibians are able to breathe through their skin. There are around 6,200 described, living species of amphibians.
Amphibians are able to breathe through their skin. Water is also absorbed through an amphibian's skin making drinking unnecessary. Even in areas where open or running water is scarce, an amphibian's skin can absorb moisture from damp soil.
Amphibians display a startling variety of color which results from different combinations of pigments within their skins. These patterns of coloration are usually designed to provide some form of defense from predators.
In order to reproduce, most amphibians are bound to fresh water. A few tolerate brackish water, but there are no true seawater amphibians.
After the female frog lays her eggs in water, the eggs hatch and the larvae, otherwise known as tadpoles or polliwogs, breathe with exterior gills. They then begin to transform gradually into the adult's appearance. This process is called metamorphosis. After metamorphosis, the animals leave the water and become terrestrial adults.
People frequently find a small lizard-like creature in their garages, basements, or window wells. Often they are told these are venomous Gila Monsters. These creatures are not Gila Monsters, or even reptiles. They are the common amphibians called Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum). Like all amphibians, they require moisture on their skin to stay alive and often seek dark wet places like a basement window well in hot, dry weather.
South Dakota is home to an intriguing variety of amphibians. Follow the link to find pictures and descriptions of several amphibian species native to our region.