The term for animals that can thrive in both water and land is "amphibians." Amphibians are a diverse group of animals that include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. They typically have a life cycle that involves both aquatic and terrestrial stages. For example, many amphibians start their lives as eggs in water, hatch into larvae (such as tadpoles), and later metamorphose into adults that can live on land. Their skin is often permeable, which allows for gas exchange and absorption of water, making them sensitive to environmental changes and pollution.