Amphibian and Reptile Facts

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Spotted salamander on tree bark
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Amphibian and Reptile Facts
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Amphibians
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  • Amphibians include salamanders, newts, toads, and frogs and spend at least part of their life cycle in water.
  • They are cold-blooded (or ectothermal), which means that they do not produce their own body heat like birds, people or other mammals.
  • They seek out cooler or warmer spots to regulate their temperatures.
  • Missouri has 43 species of amphibians, with an additional five subspecies or geographic races.
  • No amphibians in Missouri are venomous — they are harmless to people.
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Reptiles
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  • Reptiles evolved from salamander-like creatures about 315 million years ago.
  • Unlike amphibians, reptiles do not have to live part of their life in water.
  • Early reptiles were the first vertebrates to produce shelled eggs that protected their eggs from drying as they developed. This helps reptiles live in dry habitats where amphibians can not survive.
  • Missouri has 75 species and subspecies of reptiles: 17 different turtles, 11 different lizards, and 47 different species and subspecies of snakes.
  • Only five snake species are venomous to people. Most are shy and normally avoid people.