This means that amphibians do not hold their body temperature constant like mammals, but their internal temperature depends upon that of the surrounding environment. They have no unique structure, like the feathers of birds, which sets them apart from all other animals. This means that amphibians do not hold their body temperature constant like mammals, but their internal temperature depends upon that of the surrounding environment. Amphibians have soft, generally moist skin without scales. The eggs do not have shells and so must be laid in water or a damp environment to keep from drying out.
Amphibians go through a two-stage life cycle.
When an amphibian hatches it is in a gilled larval form. In frogs and toads this larva is called a tadpole. After a few weeks or months the larvae transform into the adult form of a frog or salamander, however it may still take a few years to become mature. Biologists divide amphibians into three major groups or Orders. This web site has been designed and is hosted by the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network Coordinating Office, Ecosystem Science Directorate, of Environment Canada.