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Where in the world are amphibians absent?
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amphibian
Banded fire salamander (Salamandra terrestris).
Amphibians are widely distributed across the globe, but they are absent in the following areas:
- Antarctica: The continent is too cold to support amphibian life.1
- Extremely xeric (dry) deserts: While some specialized frogs have evolved structural modifications to survive dry periods by burrowing or secreting protective cocoons, they are generally absent from extremely arid environments.12
- Remote oceanic islands: Many remote islands lack amphibian populations because these animals are unable to cross the barriers created by salt water.13
While amphibians are absent from these specific regions, they are highly diverse in humid tropical environments and can even be found in regions north of the Arctic Circle.13