Amphibians are very adaptable creatures and can be found in a wide variety of habitats throughout the world, except for the extreme polar regions, seas and oceans. They are at home at the bottoms of deep freshwater lakes, in the perpetual darkness of subterranean caves, under the baking sands of arid desert regions, in the canopy layers of the tallest rain forests, and on the snowy peaks of the world’s great mountain chains.
Lacking protective layers of scales, feathers or fur, these “fragile” creatures have evolved an intriguing range of physical and behavioral adaptations to diverse – and sometimes very harsh - environments. The vast majority of the world’s frogs, toads, salamanders and newts are tied to freshwater systems, at least for the first stages of their lives, but many species have found ways to survive even when water is in short supply or nearly absent. In addition, they have developed a range of physical defenses that keep them safe even when surrounded by hordes of persistent predators and competitors – including humans.
