LIFE AS A FROG By Lucia Cursio What

LIFE AS A FROG By Lucia Cursio

What is a Frog § Frogs belong to the zoological class known as Amphibia. § Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates. § What sets amphibians apart from reptiles is that they do not have scales and they generally return to water to breed. § Frogs and toads belong to a type called Salientia. § There about 3, 900 species of tailless amphibians.

Frog Features § Frogs have two bulging eyes that also comes in different shapes and colors. § Frogs have long and sticky tongues. § They have smooth or slimy skin. § Frogs have special ears that are connected to their lungs.

More Frog Features § Strong, long, webbed hind feet and long powerful jumping legs. § Frogs can leap 20 x their body length. § Frogs have a very short backbone. § Frogs come in every color of the rainbow.

Frog Skin § Frogs drink and breathe through their skin by absorbing the moisture they need. Frogs get oxygen from their lungs, but also from water. § Frogs can suffocate from lack of moisture. § The skin of a frog secretes a mucus that aids in keeping their bodies moist. § Frogs shed their skin weekly by stretching themselves out of their old skin. They pull the skin off over their heads and then eat it.

Life Cycle of a Frog Mating § In an embrace called amplexus, the male frog will climb on the back of a female and wrap his arms around her waist. § Mating usually occurs in the water and can last several days

Fertilization to Tadpole § Male frogs fertilize the eggs as they are laid. § It takes about 6 -12 days for the eggs to hatch. § The tadpole emerges with poorly developed gills, a mouth, and a tail. § After 7 -10 days they will go from the floating weeds to feed on the algae. § After 4 weeks, gills disappear & skin is formed. § In 6 -9 weeks, tiny legs appear, the head is more distinct, the body gets longer, and arms appear. § After 9 weeks, the tadpole looks like a small frog.

Frog Enemies § Frogs are victims to many types of predators. § Snakes, lizards, birds, and small animals like hedgehogs feed on frogs. § In the water, frogs are eaten by diving birds, sharp toothed fish, and swimming mammals like the water shrew. § Pollution, however, is the largest enemy that frogs face.

Singing Frogs § Frogs have sacs or vocal pouches that allow them to sing. § Some frogs can make noises without a sac. § Some species of frogs, only males sing. § This photo is of a singing Squirrel Treefrog. The sac is stretched like a balloon.