Fifth Grade
Worksheets
What Is an Amphibian?
Amphibian is one of the five main groups of vertebrate animals. Vertebrates are animals with backbones. Amphibians have a body covering of smooth, moist skin. Most amphibians live part of their lives in water and then live on land. Their name means "double life."
Most baby amphibians start their lives in water. They breathe with gills. Most adult amphibians live on land. They breathe with lungs. Some of them can take in air through their moist skin. Frogs and toads are amphibians. Salamanders and newts are, too. Another kind of amphibian is the caecilian. They look like worms or snakes. They have no legs. They spend their lives hidden under the ground. Many of them are found in South America.
Amphibians can't keep their bodies warm by themselves. They are called ectotherms. Some people call this "cold-blooded." They get cold when the air is cold. They get warmer when the air is warm. Reptiles and fish are ectotherms, too.
