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More About Frogs ...
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A frog is a fresh-water amphibian of the family Ranidae, in the Order Anura. They are closely related to toads. The Ranidae are sometimes called the "true frogs" since a few members of other families also have common names including the word "frog.".
In many parts of the world the frog population has declined drastically over the last few decades. Pollutants are one cause for this decline but other culprits include climatic changes, parasitic infestation, introduction of non-indigenous predators/competitors, infectious diseases, and urban encroachment.
The life cycle of a frog involves several stages. A female frog lays her eggs in a shallow pond or creek, where they will be sheltered from the current and from predators. The eggs, known as frogspawn hatch into tadpoles. The tadpole stage develops gradually into an adolescent froglet, resembling an adult but retaining a vestigial tail. Finally the froglet develops into an adult frog. Typically, tadpoles are herbivores, feeding mostly on algae, whereas juvenile and adult frogs are rather voracious carnivores. Furthermore, The red-legged frogs normally reproduce from November to early April because during these months, the water is about six or seven degrees Celsius. Under these cool conditions, embryonic survival is ensured. Amplexus is the process wherein the male grasps the female while she lays her eggs. At the same time, he fertilizes them with a fluid containing sperm. The eggs are about 2.0 to 2.8 millimetres in diameter and are dark brown. After about six to fourteen days, the eggs hatch between July and September into brown tadpoles that are about three inches long. The tadpoles then progress to lose their tails, grow legs, and change into a juvenile form with adult characteristics.
Frogs eat insects such as mosquitoes and small animals such as minnows. Their sticky tongues are effective in catching fast-moving preys. They hunt mostly at night.
Frogs are a diverse group with some 4800 species. Most spend their lives in or near a source of water (water frogs), although tree frogs live in moist environments that are not actually aquatic. The requirement for water becomes most acute for egg and tadpole stages of the frog, yet here again some species are able to utilize temporary pools and water collected in the axils of plants.
The most familiar frogs are the Bullfrog, the Edible frog, the Leopard frogs, Spring Peepers, and the Green Frogs.
Frogs range in size from less than 50mm to 300mm in Conraua goliath, which is the largest known frog. All frogs have horizontal pupils, smooth skin and long legs with webbing between their toes. This family has a bicornuated tongue that is attached in front: They also have a tympanum on each side of their head, which is involved in sound production. Most frogs have deep, booming calls, or croaks, with some being onomatopoeically represented by the word "ribbet" or "ribbit."
Many species of frog secrete toxins from their skin when under threat. These toxins deter predatory animals from eating them, and some are extremely poisonous to humans. The natives of the Amazon area extract curare from the poison arrow frog.
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Taxonmony
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Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
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Source: Wikipedia Read more about Frogs
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INFO LINKS
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North American Wood Frog
Exploratorium
'The North American wood frog belongs to a small group of animals that are freeze tolerant". Article on freeze tolerance in this species of frog Read More
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Frog
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Fun facts about frogs for kids Read More
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frog
Frog Land
Tons of information about frogs. Good site for kids Read More
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Poison Dart Frog
National Zoo
Poison Dart Frog fact sheet Read More
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Tree Frogs, White Tree Frog
The Living Schoolbook - The Cyberzoo project
"The White's tree frog is a very bright green. It has shiny wax-like skin". General information, niche, habitat, zoo observation, food web, etc. Read More
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Leopard Frog
The Longpoint schoolhouse
"The fully webbed feet of the leopard frog are adapted for an aquatic existence". Read More
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Poison Dart Frog
Sedgwick County Zoo
Poison Dart Frog fact sheet Read More
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Poison Dart Frog
Rainforest Conservation Fund
Brief Narrative and pictures of Poison Dart Frog Read More
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Glass Frog
Rainforest Conservation Fund
Brief categorized information and pictures of Glass Frog. "The poison arrow frog has special skin, it secrets poisons which can kill other animals". Read More
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Chubby Frog
Animals Of The Rainforest
"names for the Chubby Frog are Asian bullfrog, Rice frog, Asian Painted frog, and Bubble frog". Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Coqui
Animals Of The Rainforest
Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Darwin's Frog
Animals Of The Rainforest
"This frog was discovered and named after Charles Darwin". Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Glass Frog
Animals Of The Rainforest
Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Mantella
Animals Of The Rainforest
Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Pac Man Frog
Animals Of The Rainforest
Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Animals Of The Rainforest
Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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Bullfrog
Desert USA
Bullfrog: Brief description and pictures Read More
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Tree Frogs, Blue Mountains Tree Frog
Unique Australian Animals
Categorized information on Blue Mountains Tree Frog including description, habitat, feeding, etc. Has nice pictures, too. Read More
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Green and Gold Frog
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Green and Gold Frog. Threatened species. "The beautifully patterned green and gold frog is the only Tasmanian species listed as vulnerable". Read More
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Moss Froglet
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Moss Froglet Read More
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Tree Frog, Brown Tree Frog
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Brown Tree Frog. "The brown tree frog (Litoria ewingi) is an agile climber, aided by the well-developed climbing discs on its fingers and toes". Read More
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Common Froglet
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Common Froglet Read More
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Spotted Marsh Frog
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Spotted Marsh Frog Read More
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Striped Marsh Frog
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Striped Marsh Frog Read More
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Tasmanian Froglet
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Tasmanian Froglet Read More
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Tasmanian Tree Frog
Tasmania - Dept. of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment
Brief description of Tasmanian Tree Frog Read More
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Frogs
Frog Land
Difference between Frogs and Toads. Kid friendly site Read More
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Upland Chorus Frog
Wind Cave National Park
Fact Sheet Read More
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Northern Leopard Frog
Wind Cave National Park
Fact Sheet Read More
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Barking Treefrog
The University of Georgia
Fact Sheet Read More
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Bullfrog
The University of Georgia
Fact Sheet Read More
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Pine Barrens Treefrog
The University of Georgia
Fact Sheet Read More
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Tree Frog
Animal Tracks of Humboldt County
Natural History of Pacific Tree Frog, Identifying Pacific Tree Frog tracks. Read More
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Bull Frog
The Longpoint schoolhouse
Brief description. They have deep booming songs". Read More
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Panama Golden Frog
Houston Zoo
About Panama Golden Frog Read More
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Rio Grande Leopard Frog
Houston Zoo
About Rio Grande Leopard Frog Read More
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