PRS Field Guide | Amphibians

The word amphibian comes from the Greek words “amphi” meaning double and “bios” meaning life – double life! – referring to the fact that they spend at least part of their lives in water and part on land. Amphibians are a class of ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates (have backbones) that include frogs, toads, and salamanders. These animals are all born with gills that allow them to breathe in water, though many go through a metamorphosis into adult forms that breathe air with their lungs and skin. Amphibians need water to keep their skin moist, which also makes them especially sensitive to pollution. We have several species of amphibians living in the Port Royal Sound watershed, especially around freshwater ponds and wetlands.