The word amphibian means "double life," and in many cases, this is a very descriptive name for salamanders, frogs, and toads. With their complex life cycles involving dramatic examples of metamorphosis, amphibians are able to take advantage of two very different environmental zones: the aquatic and the terrestrial. Some specialized species have become adapted to just one of these realms, with some living in just terrestrial environments or just aquatic ones. All amphibians have a semipermeable skin that they use to breath, a feature that has made them susceptible to a host of issues, ranging from pollution to disease. In spite of such threats, amphibians are hugely important in maintaining the health and functions of ecosystems around the globe. Given this to be the case, it is of the upmost importance that we do everything in our power to protect these amazing animals. Click on the images below to see just a fraction of the diversity of amphibians that we share the world with.