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 are 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 20x 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.