Frogs (of the Anura order) don’t have necks. However, they do have large eyes which allow them to look in most directions without turning their heads around like humans do. They also have long legs that let them hop and jump, and pads on their toes that let them climb. They can live in most habitats except for polar regions and very dry deserts.
The croak or ribbet that male frogs make is a mating call. All frog mating calls vary from frog to frog, but it’s the specific sound that attracts a female frog. After they decide to mate, the male frog typically takes care of the eggs. He will take the eggs to a wet place, either on his back, belly or sometimes in his mouth. Occasionally the female will take care of the eggs. In one instance, the female Australian gastric-brooding frog eats her eggs after they’re fertilized. She then stops eating other foods until the eggs develop in her stomach. Once they’re fully developed she vomits them up and continues eating insects.
When they hatch from their eggs, frogs start out as tadpoles in the water. They don’t have legs yet and they actually have gills, like fish. Eventually, they grow legs and lose their gills and are able to breathe air. Adult frogs have two main color patterns. Either they have bright colors that predators can see to warn them that the frogs are poisonous. Or they have greenish-brown tones to help camouflage them from other animals.
Fun Frog Facts
- Insect population would be out of control if it weren’t for frogs.
- African frogs can jump up to 14 feet in a single leap.
References
San Diego Zoo
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