Amphibian World When attacked, Salamanders release a milky toxic chemical from their skin.

Many brightly coloured tropical amphibians are coloured in this way to warn predators that they are poisonous.

* Amphibians are divided into three groups of animals comprising over 4,000 species worldwide. These groups are: newts & salamanders, frogs & toads and the worm-like caecilians.

* People who study amphibians are called herpetologists.

* The Goliath frog (Rana goliath) is the biggest frog in the world and has a body that is 30cm long.

* The legs of the edible frog (Rana esculenta) are a popular food source in some European countries.

* A frog's skin is smooth and moist, whereas a toad's skin is dry and rough.

* South Africa has one of the most varied frog populations in the world, with more than 50 of its 106 species found nowhere else.

* In 1935, cane toads were brought to Australia from South America. Farmers hoped they would eat the beetles which were killing their sugar cane. The huge, poisonous toads spread fast and they are now a threat to native frogs, reptiles and small mammals.

Male frogs & toads grip females in a hug known as amplexus during the breeding season.

Tree frogs have disks or adhesive pads on the toes of their feet to help them climb into the tree canopy.

* Australian Desert Frogs can absorb so much water after a rainstorm that Aborigines catch them during the dry season to drink their water store.

* During the breeding season, male newts perform impressive aquabatics to attract the attention of females. The male great crested newt fans and whips his colourful wavy tail at the female as part of his courtship dance.

* The Indian green frog (Rana hexadactyla) is the only known leaf-eating frog in the world, with plants accounting for about 80% of its diet.

* The skin of a salamander is thin and delicate and it must always be moist because a salamander breathes through it. A salamander's eyes are sensitive to intense light, so it's not surprising that they are found hiding under large rocks, decaying logs or deep underground during the day.

* Toads lay eggs in strings of jelly, newts lay them singly and frogs lay them in clumps of jelly.

* The eyes and nose of frogs and toads are on top of their heads so they can breathe and see when most of their body is under the water.

* Frogs lay up to 4,000 eggs at one time. The jelly around the eggs helps to keep them warm when the temperature of the pond water around them is cold.