Читать книгу Popular Amphibians - Philippe De Vosjoli - Страница 9

CHAPTER 4

WATER

If you plan to keep amphibians, water quality is one of the most important aspects of care. The ability to absorb water and a variety of water-soluble substances through their skin makes amphibians particularly sensitive to water quality and water-dissolved toxins. Larval forms, in particular, have especially fine epithelial (outer surface) skin, making them extremely sensitive to water chemistry and dissolved substances.

For example, water with high levels of chlorine destroys the fine gills of small amphibian larvae, damages their skin, and often kills them. Toxins such as ammonia, nitrites, cleaning compounds, and disinfectants pass through the skin and kill both adults and larval amphibians. High levels of dissolved gasses also penetrate the skin of tadpoles or larval salamanders and can lead to the formation of gas bubbles in their bodies that can kill them. Thousands of amphibians die annually because of improper or poor water conditions.

As you can see, the importance of water quality cannot be overemphasized. If you consistently have problems keeping amphibians alive, check the water quality first.

Aerosols and Pesticide Strips

Certain amphibians die when exposed to chemicals in aerosol forms, including cleaning compounds and hair sprays. Insecticidal pest strips (used by reptile keepers for treating mites) affect amphibians, and, when used in close quarters, might kill frogs and salamanders.

Detecting Water Problems

Amphibians in life-threatening water conditions show clear behaviors that things are not right. Life-threatening conditions include water that is too warm, too acidic, too hard, or too high in ammonia, nitrites, or toxins. The most obvious sign of distress is the animal’s frantic struggle to escape the life-threatening environment. Many amphibians in life-threatening water swim at the surface of the aquarium and attempt to access a land area. You also might see spastic twitching, leg extensions, and panicked darting or swimming. If you see these signs, immediately remove your amphibians and replace the water (not from the same source).