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There are many types of amphibians in our forest and in Washington because they love the moist environment! Amphibian is the combination of two Greek words – “amphi” which means “double,” and “bios” which means “life.” So amphibian means “double life,” describing the life cycle of amphibians which live in water and land for different parts of their life. They are able to live in the park because we have several wetland areas and most remain somewhat moist throughout the year. Amphibians were the first land animals with backbones (vertebrates) and have been around for 350 million years!

Amphibians vs Reptiles:

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Both amphibians and reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they are dependent on outside conditions to regulate their body temperature. This is why many frogs hibernate. There are over 4,000 kinds of amphibians including frogs, salamanders, newts, toads, caecilians, and blindworms. There are over 10,000 types of reptiles including lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, alligators, and crocodiles.

Lifecycle of an amphibian

Amphibians go through incomplete metamorphosis which means that they don’t go through a “pupa” stage (like a butterfly), but gain new body parts as they grow.  The larva (youth) look different from the adults.

Most amphibians begin their life as egg masses laid in water, usually in ponds attached to different types of sticks or plants. When they hatch, they stay in the pond as they grow their tails and legs, then emerge from the water as adults. Some amphibians will stay in water or near water as adults.

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Body parts of a Northwestern salamander

Eyes: Salamanders have eyes on the side of their head.  This wide range of eyesight helps them to see predators better.  They can see above and underwater and have three eyelids to keep their eyes moist. 

Legs: Amphibians have no claws on their toes. 

Tail: Salamanders have tails their whole lives, unlike a frog whose tail grows back into their body as they age from larva to adult. 

Gills: Juvenile salamanders have feathery gills outside of their body until they develop lungs as an adult.  Some salamanders that remain in water as adults have these feathery gills their whole lives. 

Amphibians in Bridle Trails

Amphibians are tricky to spot!  They are adept at camouflage and stay in moist areas under leaves and logs.  They breed in the forested wetlands of the park and in the drainage ditch along the powerline.  If you do spot one, please do not touch them!  Their skin can be easily damaged since it is so thin and some are poisonous (to avoid being eaten).

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Northwestern Salamander

Mildly poisonous, makes a ticking sound when disturbed. Some remain in water as adults.

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Long-toed Salamander

If attacked, this salamander can drop its tail as a distraction (and is able to regrow it later).

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Rough-skinned Newt

When threatened, this newt will flip over to expose its orange belly. It is the most poisonous newt in Washington.

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Ensatina Salamander

Eggs are laid under logs instead of in water, and they skip the aquatic larvae stage.

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Western Red Backed Salamander

Eggs are laid underground or under rocks and logs instead of in water, they also skip the aquatic larvae stage.

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Pacific Chorus Frog

Can change color of skin as needed; common “ribbit” and chorus is loud and abundant during spring and summer evenings.

This is the most common amphibian spotted in the park.

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Northern Red-legged Frog

Very quiet voices and sometimes call underwater.

More information:

For more information on amphibians and reptiles in the Pacific Northwest, visit this Burke Museum webpage.

Download some coloring pages of salamander and frog life cycles.

Instead of their annual Amphibian Walk, IslandWood has created this Amorous Amphibians page.

Amphibian and reptile species found in the park here.

Photo credits: Gary Nafis, Jim Erckmann, Flickr (Seanin Og, Andrew DuBois), Wikimedia Commons (Connor Long), Portland Water District.