Amphibians

Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates whose body temperature depends on the external environment. With the arrival of cold weather, they go into hibernation: slowing down their metabolism and "falling asleep" until spring arrives.

They lower their body activities to the point of almost not perceiving their heartbeat anymore, and "sleep" waiting for the arrival of spring. With the first rains of late February to March, some species "awaken", while others will do so in the following months depending on the altitude where they live.

They are divided into two major categories: anurans (tailless: for example toads, frogs, newts) or urodeles (tailed: including newts and salamanders).

Amphibian literally means "double life". Indeed, members of this class are born in water and remain there until, after a series of transformations called metamorphosis, they become adults suited to live on land. However, every year they return to water to reproduce.

Metamorphosis

The life cycle of amphibians consists of three stages: egg, larva, and adult.

Metamorphosis is the radical transformation that determines the transition from the larval stage to the adult stage.

In the case of toads and frogs, eggs are laid in water in masses (frogs) or strings (toads). Upon hatching, the larvae (tadpoles) have a roundish appearance, a long tail, and gills for breathing and surviving in water. Gradually, the hind legs appear first, followed by the forelegs, the tail disappears, and the gills are replaced by lungs. At this point, the amphibian emerges from the water and also changes its diet: from herbivorous to carnivorous.

In the Cozie Alps Parks, there are frogs, toads, salamanders, newts

The common frog (Rana temporaria) is typical of mountain environments.

The agile frog (Rana dalmatina) is the only frog species present in the Natural Park of the Avigliana Lakes.

The common toad (Bufo bufo), as well as the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), can be found from the plains to the middle mountains.

The Lanza salamander (Salamandra lanzai), completely black, is an endemic species of the Cozie Alps, where it occupies very fragmented areas.

Newts and salamanders are less common species.

The toad is not the male of the frog!

How to recognize amphibians?

Toads have a squat body, dry skin covered with warty excrescences that can secrete toxic substances for defense. The female is larger than the male and can reach lengths of 15/18 cm.

The snout is short and flattened, the eyes are orange with a horizontal pupil. The hind legs are relatively short, more suitable for walking than jumping.

The frog is smaller than the toad (normally less than 10 cm). The female is always larger than the male. The body is slender, and the long legs allow it to move with quick leaps. The skin is smooth and must always remain moist.

Where do toads and frogs live?

The toad is a terrestrial species, occupying a wide variety of environments, even dry ones, and only depends on water for reproduction. In the autumn, it seeks refuge in the forest and hibernates.

The agile frog lives in humid woodland environments, even far from water.

The common frog is a terrestrial species (alpine meadows, woods, shrubs, and moist meadows); it goes to water only for reproduction and sometimes for hibernation.

All of them have predominantly nocturnal habits.

Spring Migration and Reproduction

In the Natural Park of the Avigliana Lakes, there is a lot of excitement in spring!

Between early February and late March, toads, frogs, and salamanders move from hibernation areas to wetlands for reproduction. During this period, they are very vulnerable.

Importance for the environment and conservation

Amphibians are essential animals for the ecosystem. They mainly feed on invertebrates and small vertebrates, making them very beneficial to agriculture. They are significant consumers of insects that are annoying to humans, like mosquitoes, and are crucial for maintaining ecological balance, as well as playing an important role as bioindicators of environmental quality: they are very delicate species sensitive to pollution.

The conservation of amphibians is increasingly threatened by various factors: climate change with long periods of drought, reduction and fragmentation of the wetland habitats in which they live and reproduce, mortality due to vehicular traffic.

What to do if you encounter amphibians?

- Avoid handling amphibians. If you must, make sure your hands are wet and clean: their skin is extremely delicate!
- If you find amphibians in your garden, create a small pond and leave an uncultivated vegetation area around it.
- When driving on a road, if you encounter frogs, toads, or salamanders, SLOW DOWN and AVOID them!
- If you find dead frogs during a mountain hike, REPORT IT! Climate change, viruses, and bacteria pose a threat to all amphibians, and in recent years, there have been cases of common frog die-offs in the lakes of various alpine regions. Monitoring is essential!

Click to open the brochure Amphibians: instructions for use

Why is the capture of amphibians prohibited? Reasons for a ban Amphibians: protection and management