Communication
- Vocalizations: Many frogs, toads, and salamanders use specialized vocal sacs to produce a variety of sounds, including mating calls, territorial calls, and distress signals.
- Body movements: Some amphibians, such as tree frogs, use flashy body displays and movements to attract mates or warn off predators.
Mating
- Courtship rituals: Many amphibians engage in elaborate courtship rituals involving vocalizations, body movements, and chemical displays.
- Amplexus: During mating, male frogs and toads grip the female in a position called amplexus, enabling sperm transfer.
- External fertilization: Most amphibians fertilize their eggs externally, with the male releasing sperm onto the eggs laid by the female.
- Egg clutches: Females typically lay their eggs in clutches, often in water or moist environments.
Parental care
- Egg guarding: Some species of amphibians, such as poison dart frogs, guard their eggs from predators and keep them moist.
- Carrying eggs/young: Certain salamanders, such as the tiger salamander, carry their eggs on their backs or in their mouths.
Territorial behavior
- Calling sites: Male amphibians often defend specific calling sites, using vocalizations to repel other males and attract females.
- Territorial displays: Some amphibians use body movements and chemical signals to establish and defend their territories.
Hibernation
- Winter dormancy: Many amphibians hibernate during cold months, reducing their metabolic activity and burrowing underground or in crevices.
- Frozen hibernation: Some amphibians, such as the wood frog, can survive being frozen solid and thaw out in spring.
Torpor
- Aestivation: Some amphibians enter a state of torpor called aestivation during hot and dry weather, reducing their activity and metabolism.
- Nocturnal activity: Many amphibians are nocturnal, avoiding predators and harsh conditions by being active at night.
Camouflage and defense
- Cryptic coloration: Many amphibians rely on cryptic coloration to blend in with their surroundings and avoid detection by predators.
- Poisonous secretions: Some species, such as poison dart frogs, produce toxic secretions to deter predators.
- Reflexive behaviors: Amphibians may exhibit reflexive behaviors, such as freezing or leaping away, when threatened.