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Amphibians - frogs, toads, and salamanders - on the other hand, have moist skin, which allows water and air to pass in and out, and no claws on their toes. The word "amphibian" originates from two Greek words, "amphi" meaning "both" and "bios" meaning "life". Thus, the term "living a double life" is used in reference to amphibians. Nearly all amphibians go through a larval stage, during the first part of their life, which is usually lived in water, (such as the tadpole of the frog), before they change into their adult form, and live on land. Among the changes amphibians go through in the larval stage which results in the young animal taking on the appearance of an adult includes the replacement of gills by other respiratory organs, such as the lungs; the formation of eyelids; and in toads and frogs, the tail disappears. Wet weather is the best time to spot amphibians. Reptiles: Crocodilians There are two native crocodilians in the U.S. - the American Alligator and the American Crocodile, neither of which are native to Kentucky. Reptiles: Lizards Lizards generally have long slender bodies tapering into a narrow pointed tail, which breaks off easily under the slightest pressure. Legless, or worm lizards resemble snakes, but have moveable eyelids and moist skin. Skinks are lizards and so are iguanas. Kentucky's climate limits the availability of proper habitats for most members of the lizard family. Only eight of the Earth's 4300 known species of lizards, live in Kentucky, five of which are skinks: Broadhead Skink, Coal Skink, Five-lined Skink, Ground Skink; and the Southeastern Five-lined Skink. Kentucky is home to one known type of legless lizard, the Eastern Slender Glass Lizard; one iguana, the Northern Fence Lizard; and one teiid lizard, the Six-lined Racerunner. On the other hand, salamanders, amphibian look-a-likes of the reptilian lizards, are more abundant in the Bluegrass State with 33 species, of the approximately 380 known on the planet, taking up residence here. Other amphibians in the state include species of toads and frogs. (SEE BELOW.) Reptiles: Snakes Snakes are a close relative of the lizards, but have no legs or eyelids. Different species of snakes are adapted to most every habitat on the planet and live on every continent except Antarctica. Kentucky has over 30 known native snake species. Our only poisonous snakes - the copperhead, the cottonmouth and the rattlesnake - are all pit vipers. Pit vipers are distinguished by the "pits" on each side of the snake's head between the eye and nostril. Learn to identify the poisonous snakes in your area and avoid them whenever possible. A bite from one of these venomous snakes is rare and seldom fatal. However, the bites can cause a human to become seriously ill. The UK College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service maintains a web site containing photographs and information on all species found in the state. Visit their site, Kentucky Snakes, for help in identifying native species. Reptiles: Turtles Turtles are reptiles with a protective shell. They are slow to mature and can live to be over a hundred years old. Found on every continent except Australia, there are over 250 turtle species known on the planet. In the United States we use the term "tortoise" to refer to land turtles and you sometimes, (mistakenly), here the Eastern Box Turtle referred to as a terrapin. Terrapins are web-footed turtles that thrive in freshwater environments. One common in the U.S. is the diamond-backed terrapin, which does indeed resemble the Eastern Box Turtle. Box turtles are dry-land inhabitants with a hinged lower shell that closes tightly when the turtle is disturbed. In Kentucky, there are 15 known species of turtles, including the Eastern Box Turtle, pictured at the top of this page. Amphibians: Salamanders According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are 33 known species of salamanders in the state. Newts and mudpuppies, (or waterdogs, as they are called in Kentucky), are salamanders. Salamanders must have dampness and moisture to survive and are likely to be found near a water source. Amphibians: Frogs and Toads True frogs have smooth skins and long legs for leaping. Their close relatives, the toads, have warty rough skins and shorter hind legs for hopping. Both are found on land and in water. Toads, however, can survive far from a water source. The Bullfrog, found throughout Kentucky is our largest true frog in the United States. Found around ponds in the Southeast, but as of yet not recorded in Kentucky, the smallest frog in the United States is the Little Grass Frog, which is commonly mistaken for a young frog of another species. At maturity, the tiny creature is generally less than one inch long.
Smaller frogs found here in the Bluegrass State include the Spring Peeper, (pictured above), which is seldom seen and often heard from a distance in the springtime, as its name implies. Some folks say a chorus of Spring Peepers sounds like sleigh bells. The groups will gather near standing water in covered areas. The species is widespread in the central and eastern United States. Other small frogs common in Kentucky are our treefrogs, which have adhesive pads on their toes for clinging and climbing and can leap great distances in relation to their body size. Treefrogs are known to change their colors and patterns to blend in with their surroundings. Toads are distinguished from frogs by their rough skin. You will not get warts from touching a toad. However, their skin can secrete an irritant if handled which should be washed off immediately. A familiar toad found widely across our state is the American Toad. This slow hopping creature is found in a multitude of environments and is much treasured by gardeners for their voracious appetites for insects and worms. The Western Kentucky University Center for Biodiversity Studies maintains an excellent web site, "Frogs and Toads of Kentucky", which offers photographs, a range map and audio clips of the calls of Kentucky's frogs and toads. FUN FACT: A scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians is called a herpetologist. Reptiles and Amphibians - Puzzles and Games
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