Amphibians are animals that require water to survive, so they have permeable skin and often lay their eggs in ponds and streams. But the desert climate of Arizona presents special challenges for these water-loving creatures – challenges that our local species have overcome in many marvelous ways. From poisonous skin to sticky toes to burrowing underground to beat the heat, Arizona amphibians have evolved many ways to survive. In this presentation, learn how to tell an amphibian from a reptile, what’s so special about amphibians in Arizona, and what challenges they face in a changing world.
Jessie Rack is an ecologist, naturalist, and environmental educator passionate about communicating how the world works. Jessie has a PhD in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut (for which she studied salamanders!) and diverse experiences in both formal and informal education.
