Description

Download the requirements for the Amphibian honor by clicking on the download link above.

Amphibians

1. What are the characteristics of amphibians?
2. Name the two main orders of amphibia and tell how to distinguish between them.
3. Distinguish between toads and frogs.
4. How do amphibians protect themselves?
5. Make a list of amphibians that should be found in your locality. Identify five and tell where you found them. OR Collect pictures or sketch five different amphibianswhich you can identify and tell where they are found.
6. Describe the life history of some amphibian.
7. Explain the economic value of amphibians.
8. Where do toads spend the winter or dry season?
9. Identify two species of frogs by their sound or imitate the sounds of two different species of frogs.
10. How do frogs and toads sing? What makes the noise so loud?
11. Do one of the following:

1. Observe a toad in your yard or neighborhood to find out.
   (1)Where and when it sleeps,
   (2)When it leaves its home for food,
   (3)How fast it can travel,
   (4)How far it can jump, and as many other interesting things as youcan find out about it, and write an essay covering the details requested inthe first section of this question.
   
2. Hatch some amphibian eggs and watch them through their growth cycle andwrite an essay covering the details.

Skill Level 1
Original Honor 1945

Amphibians, Advanced

1.Have the Amphibians Honor

Note: Must have completed all requirements for the Amphibians Honor prior to working on this next level.

2.Design and carry out a study project based on natural or captive observation of a selected amphibian(s) and write a paper on the conclusions arrived at during the study. The parameters of the study should involve a minimum of 25 hours of actual observation time and no more than a maximum total duration of one season. Intentional harm/death of the study target is not permitted.

Note: Most amphibian species have had very little research carried out on them. It is afield wide open for study of even some of the simplest elements. For example, verylittle data exists on the seasonal activities of frogs and the climatic factors that influence them. When does chorusing begin and stop, when does it reach its highest volume, what are the atmospheric conditions and variations associated with these? What are the dates for egg laying, hatching, transformation? What are the growthrates, age of sexual maturity, average and maximum longevity, duration of breedingbehavior, courtship behavior, rate of dispersal, location of brumation or estivationsites? Little is known about homing ability, territorial maintenance, interaction dur-ing breeding and non-breeding times, and many other issues. It is indeed a field wide open to the curious and fascinated.

Skill Level 3
Original Honor 2001

Nature
General Conference
2001 Edition