What Are the Functions of Hind Legs of Frogs? | Animals - mom.me What Are the Functions of Hind Legs of Frogs? Tree frogs use their hind legs for gripping and jumping. NA/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images While not exactly the kind of pet you want to cuddle with, frogs can provide entertainment while their habitats add a peaceful element to your room. There are more than 5,400 species of frogs around the world, and the hind legs often serve different purposes depending on where a frog species lives. Jumping When you see a frog, you likely think of its amazing ability to jump. Although not all species are good jumpers, some can jump eight times their body lengths in a single hop. Most frog species use their hind legs as jump propulsion in some way, regardless if they live on land, in the water or in trees. Swimming Water-based frog species have special hind feet with webbing between the toes. They use their hind legs mostly to propel themselves through the water while swimming, using their front legs to steer. Swimming fast means escaping from predators and catching more prey, and those long, muscular hind legs are key to the frog's success.

These frogs also jump when on land, but not usually as far as land-based species. Their jumps are more like little hops that keep them moving but without impressing your friends. Digging Some frog species like to burrow underground, and many have hind legs designed for just that purpose. Their toes end in tubercles, which are claw-like and help them grab and move dirt. Many of these burrowing species have short hind legs that don't allow much hopping -- they walk or crawl instead of jump to get around. Climbing Tree frogs have an outstanding ability to climb vertical surfaces -- their toes, including their hind toes, have sticky pads that grip the surfaces of trees to keep the frogs high and safe. They use their hind legs mainly for vertical climbing power, although most of these species are also good jumpers. One type of frog, the Costa Rican flying tree frog, has large webbing between its sticky toes. This frog can leap from one tree to another, spreading out his toes so the webbing can catch the wind and act like a parachute to keep the frog aloft. Frogs and Toads God Made it All Perfect Dandy Designs Books WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TOAD AND A FROG?

Actually, all toads are frogs. They are both known to scientists as anurans, which comes from two Greek words meaning “without a tail.” However, we usually use the name “toad” for the ones that are dry and warty with shorter back legs and “frog” for the ones that are moist and smooth with webbed feet, but there are exceptions to that rule. Toads in North America are from a family of frogs called Bufonidae. They are dry and warty and somewhat laid-back, often walking rather than leaping or jumping. Of the more than 5,400 species of frogs in the world only a little more than 100 species live in the United States. There are that many different species living in just a small area of some rain forests! WHERE FROGS LIVE Frogs don't migrate. Instead they hibernate to escape from the cold or they estivate to escape from the heat or dryness. Frogs are most abundant around bodies of water with many of them living at the water's edge. However, some varieties of frogs live totally in the water, and some live in fast moving water and even waterfalls.

Many species live in the tropical rain forests where it is moist all of the time. A smaller number live in grasslands, on mountains, and even in deserts. Frogs that live in areas that are dry for part of the year burrow into the ground and go into a dormant state called estivation or “summer sleep.” They stay there hidden from the heat of the sun and from predators until the rain comes when they emerge in large numbers until the dry conditions return. Some desert frogs can attach themselves to plants and turn white and hard as a rock during the dry season. When rain comes, they absorb water, wake from their sleep, and hop away. Since frogs are cold-blooded their bodies need the warmth of the sun in order to function. Frogs that live in cold climates hibernate in the winter by burying themselves in leaf litter or mud and wait for the warmth to return. The dancing frog lives in waterfalls. Because waterfalls are so noisy they can't attract a mate by singing, these frogs dance by alternately stretching their legs and wiggling their toes. Frogs that live in the mountains often have dark colors so they can absorb more heat from the sun.

The dark color also protects them from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Frogs are wonderfully designed to live in a wide variety of habitats. The European and Asian Common Toad (bufo bufo) has been found at elevations over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) in the Himalaya Mountains and at 1,115 feet (340 m) below ground in a coal mine. Frogs may live for several years, and generally the larger frogs have longer lifespans. A FROG'S BODY Where a frog or toad lives is reflected in the design of its body. The ones with long back legs can jump great distances while the ones with shorter legs either hop short distances or walk. Some of them have powerful legs for digging or burrowing into the ground. Some even have special shovels attached to their legs like the spadefoot toads. Most burrow with their rear legs, but some who borrow head first have pointed noses. Frogs who live in the water have webbed feet to help with swimming and those who live mostly on land do not.

Frogs who live in trees or fast-moving water have sticky pads on their toes so they can cling to the trees or rocks. Some of the frogs with four webbed feet use their feet like parachutes to glide down from the trees. Frogs that swim in water are often long and streamlined with pointed snouts, while those that spend their life on land and in dry areas are short and rotund. The round shape gives less surface area for reduced water loss. It makes them poor swimmers, but they don't have to swim much anyway. Frogs and toads all have lungs for breathing, but they also breathe through their skin. Frogs with damp skin depend more on skin breathing (cutaneous respiration) because the skin has to be moist for oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through. Of course, those skin breathing frogs are also the ones who spend the most time in the water. Desert frogs have dry skin so that they won't loose moisture, and they have larger lungs because they cannot breathe through their skin. Clever design to fit the environment is the key to the amazing frogs. A FROG'S EYES Some people have said that frogs have the most beautiful eyes of any animal.

They come in a variety of colors from red, orange, and yellow to metallic copper, silver, bronze, and gold. In most frogs and toads the pupil is horizontal, but many are vertical. However, some varieties of frogs have pupils that are round, triangular, heart-shaped, hourglass-shaped, and diamond-shaped. The eyes are mounted high on the sides of the head to give visibility to the front, sides, and even partially to the rear and all while the frog is mostly under water. The frog's eyes can even be lowered into the roof of the mouth to help in swallowing large food items. Frogs that are singing will abruptly stop when they see an intruder entering their area. This makes it hard to find that noisy frog. At night frogs are attracted to lights, perhaps because insects are attracted to lights and frogs love to eat insects. SOME PEOPLE LIKE FROGS - AND SOME DON'T Many frogs have large, bulging eyes and the appearance of a grin. This may make them easier to like than some creatures, such as lizards or snakes for example. Also lizards and snakes may be more hostile to people than frogs, who usually just react to people by trying to hop away.

However, poison dart frogs can be deadly to anyone who touches them, and not everyone likes even the most undeadly of the frogs. People often complain about the “noise” of their chorus at certain times of year, and Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish scientist who gave us the system of scientific naming of animals and the term “amphibian,” called frogs “foul and loathsome.” MORE INTERSTING STUFF ABOUT FROGS Frogs can range in size from almost 15 inches (37 cm) long weighing 8 pounds (3.66 kg) to as small as less than half an inch (1 cm). Kermit the Frog said, "It's not easy being green," but not all frogs are green. Frogs can be very colorful or they may be dull brown, gray, or green, designed to blend with their environment. The brightest colored frogs are the poisonous ones, which may be bright red, orange, yellow, or blue. They don't need to hide for their protection and the bright colors warn predators to stay away. The skin of a single Golden Poison Dart Frog (phyllobates terribilis) contains enough poison to kill 10 people.

Fortunately most deadly poisonous frogs live in jungles where there are few people, but most frogs have at least some poison. Even common toads have parotoid glands just behind their eyes that secrete toxins that help to deter enemies. EVEN MORE INTERESTING (AND GROSS) STUFF ABOUT FROGS Periodically frogs shed their skin as snakes and lizards do. However, frogs don't leave their old skin lying around like the snakes and lizards. They eat it! The process usually starts with a stretching movement and humping of the back. The skin splits and the frog uses its legs to pull the skin into its mouth where it gulps the skin down and the process is complete in a few minutes. The animal has a fresh, shiny new skin without plastic surgery. FROG VOICES Frogs make a chorus of a thousand different sounds, both pleasing and irritating. However, the “ribbit” sound which is often associated with frogs comes only from one American species, the Pacific Tree Frog. Hollywood filmmakers have recorded that sound and used it for frog background sounds in movies set all over the world in places where that frog never lived.

Other frogs produce bonks, yelps, grunts, and chirps that are far to numerous to mention here. These sounds are mostly from the males and they are created by vocal sacs that are made to resonate by pumping air over the vocal cords. HOW FROGS GET AROUND Some species of frogs prefer to walk or run, but most hop or even leap, up to as much as more than 30 times their own body length! Many frogs with sticky toe pads are excellent climbers. Tree frogs can even climb up a smooth surface like glass. They have even been seen hanging from a tree branch by one toe. Some frogs like the Indian Water Frog (Rana cyanophylctis) can even run across the surface of the water. FROG REPRODUCTION Frogs lay large numbers of eggs, usually in the water. The eggs hatch into a larva called tadpoles or pollywogs. which have a tail but no legs, have gills like a fish, and can swim freely. After a few days the tadpoles grow legs, loose their tails, emerge from the water, and look like smaller versions of their parents. WHAT FROGS EAT Every animal gets hungry. So what do frogs eat?

While they are tadpoles they usually are vegetarians, eating algae and bacteria. All adult frogs and toads are carnivorous, meaning that they eat other animals. Frogs can't chew their food, so they have to swallow it whole. Most frogs have tiny teeth in the upper and lower jaw (lower jaw only in toads) but the teeth are used only to keep the prey from getting away. Frogs can eat insects, spiders, worms, slugs, and snails. They catch their prey with a long, sticky tongue. The tongue is attached at the front of the frog's mouth and the frog can quickly throw it forward to catch insects in flight. Their tongue may be up to a third of the length of the frog's body. They usually don't go after their prey. They sit quietly and wait for their meal to arrive. Larger frogs may eat mice or rats, lizards, snakes, small birds, and even other frogs and toads. Frogs who live in the water may also eat larvae and small fish. WE NEED FROGS Frogs are our friends. They eat tons of harmful insects every year. The are vital to the food chain and an important part of the web of life.

Frogs depend on water for reproducing, eating, and even to some extent for breathing. Frogs don't drink, but they absorb water through their skin. Pollution in the water threatens the life of frogs and many frogs around the world are being threatened with extinction. Chemical runoff from roadways and pesticides in the soil, draining of swamps and wetlands, and the cutting of rain forests all threaten our friends the frogs. God gave us a beautiful, well designed world, with a delicate balance of life. We need to do everything we can to be good stewards of this wonderful gift. Frogs need our protection. Copyright © (2010)-(2016) John N. Clayton, DOES GOD EXIST? Written and Designed by Roland Earnst Why do most species have five digits on their hands and feet? - Scientific American Scientific American Why do most species have five digits on their hands and feet? Share on Facebook Advertisement | Report Ad Michael Coates, associate professor in the department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago and co-editor of Evolution & Development, explains.

The condition of having no more than five fingers or toes--in this context, 'most species' means a subgroup of jawed vertebrates--probably evolved before the evolutionary divergence of amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders and caecilians) and amniotes (birds, mammals, and reptiles in the loosest sense of the term). This event dates to approximately 340 million years ago in the Lower Carboniferous Period. Prior to this split, there is evidence of tetrapods from about 360 million years ago having limbs bearing arrays of six, seven and eight digits. Reduction from these polydactylous patterns to the more familiar arrangements of five or fewer digits accompanied the evolution of sophisticated wrist and ankle joints--both in terms of the number of bones present and the complex articulations among the constituent parts. Early evolutionary experiments in hexa- or octodactyly (that is, creatures having six or eight digits) were associated with rather simple limb skeletons, much like those present in the flippers of modern whales and dolphins. This might provide a functional clue about one of the reasons for digit number reduction, which is related to the functional demands of simple "walking" limbs.

Unlike paddles, such limbs have to provide purchase on a range of substrates, provide the platform for an efficient push-off and allow some rotation relative to the lower and upper limb bones as the rest of the body travels onward. In the very few instances of secondarily evolved polydactylous limbs from the fossil record, the phenomenon is associated with aquatic taxa. The classic instance of this is in the paddles of ichthyosaurs, extinct fishlike marine reptiles that lived more than 65 million years ago. Is there really any good evidence that five, rather than, say, four or six, digits was biomechanically preferable for the common ancestor of modern tetrapods? The answer has to be "No," in part because a whole range of tetrapods have reduced their numbers of digits further still. In addition, we lack any six-digit examples to investigate. This leads to the second part of the answer, which is to note that although digit numbers can be reduced, they very rarely increase. In a general sense this trait reflects the developmental-evolutionary rule that it is easier to lose something than it is to regain it.

Even so, given the immensity of evolutionary time and the extraordinary variety of vertebrate bodies, the striking absence of truly six-digit limbs in today's fauna highlights some sort of constraint. Moles' paws and pandas' thumbs are classic instances in which strangely re-modeled wrist bones serve as sixth digits and represent rather baroque solutions to the apparently straightforward task of growing an extra finger. Patterns of six (or more) digits can be achieved by laboratory-based developmental manipulations, some of which concern changes in gene activity that probably reflect transformations involved in the fin-to-limb evolutionary transition. Here might lie another part of the reason for the prevalence of five: pleiotropy, or the multiple effects of genes upon more than one physical characteristic. For instance, Hand-Foot-Genital syndrome is a rare condition in which, as the name implies, the genito-urinary tract and the limbs are malformed. Crucially, the genes responsible are within the set of those involved in digit number and patterning. Therefore, although this tells us nothing directly about the significance of digit number, it indicates something important about developmental stability: the mechanisms involved in patterning the tips of our limbs include those involved in our reproductive success.

Thus, tweak at your peril.� CGEE: FAQ's Species: Strawberry Poison Dart Frog 3. What is the life cycle of a frog or toad (anuran)? (Graphic courtesy of "myschoolonline.com") Breeding: In the spring when breeding starts, the male anurans will be the first to come to breeding ponds. Here they use their specialized calls to atract female mates. The male anuran will climb on top of the female's back and clasp the female around her "waist" in what is called amplexus, and the eggs are fertilized in the water as she lays them. Eggs: The number of eggs that are layed and the length of time that it takes for them to hatch varies upon species. For example, Bullfrog tadpoles take two to three years to metamorphose (grow into adult frogs). The average length is between 6 to 21 days after fertilization. Tadpoles: consist of gills, a mouth and a tail. Immediately after hatching, they will usually stick themselves to weeds or grasses in the water. After about seven to ten days, the tadpoles will start swimming around and feeding on algae.

After about six to nine weeks, the tadpoles start to absorb their tails and grow legs and arms. Now the tadpoles will eat plants and dead insects floating on the water. Froglet: By approximately twelve weeks, the tadpole has a tiny tail stub and will soon leave the water. Frog: Between twelve to sixteen weeks, the froglet totally absorbs its stubby tail and leaves the water becoming an adult frog. And the cycle begins again in the spring. 4. Will frogs and toads breed with other species? Not successfully. Some males are nonselective of mates and will mount other males, which will give a warning noise for the other to release its grasp. 5. How long do frogs and toads live? Depending on the species, between 2 to 40 years! The average age for a frog or toad is about 4 to 15 years. 6. Do frogs and toads sleep? Frogs and toads will sit very still with their eyes closed. The assumption is that they are asleep, but it is not clear how long they sleep per day. 7. Is it true that frogs and toads hibernate in the winter? Yes.

During Minnesota winters the frogs and toads become dormant, hibernating either in the aquatic vegetation of lakes and ponds, under the water, or under leaf litter on the ground. For example, the Northern Leopard Frog and the Mink Frog will spend the winter swimming slowly under the ice, in the water of lakes, ponds and streams. The Wood Frog and the Spring Peeper can withstand partial freezing of body fluids buried under leaf little on the woodland floor. There are a lot of interesting facts about hibernating frogs that can be found in Mattison's Frogs and Toads of the World, and in Duellman and Trueb's Biology of Amphibians. Most state amphibian and reptile books have a section on hibernation. 8. How do frogs and toads choose their breeding ponds? Do they always return to the same place where they were born? There are several theories on how frogs and toads choose their breeding ponds: 1. They return to the closest pond regardless of whether or not they originated from that pond. Although it is hard to keep track of individual frogs and toads, we can observe the numbers and the diversity of the amphibian populations in the ponds every year. 2.

There a chemical clues left by other frogs and toads, especially the adults. 3. The light reflection varies from pond to pond. The frogs and toads may be selecting the different reflective qualities. 4. The frogs and toads may remember the way they left the pond. To learn more about this phenomenon, check out Biology of Amphibians by Duellman and Trueb. 9. How do tree frogs reproduce? The method of reproduction is different depending on what species of tree frog you are talking about. For example, there is an Asian tree frog that lays its eggs in a foam nest on a tree branch hanging over water. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, and when it rains the outside of the nest softens, and the tadpoles drop directly into the water and then continue their metamorphosis. The Gray Tree Frog (the largest tree frog found in Minnesota) breeds and lay its eggs in ponds. At the beginning of the breeding season (mid-May), the males sit in the trees between 10 and 30 feet up and call for the females. This will last through June when the breeding season is over.

When the females are ready to lay their eggs, the frogs will climb down from the trees and travel to the ponds. The males will climb up on the females' backs and grab them around their waist in what is called amplexus. The males will aid in the egg laying by squeezing the eggs out of the female. As the females lay their eggs in the water, the males fertilize them externally. Female Gray Tree Frogs will lay up to 2,000 eggs. The tadpoles transform in about eight to ten weeks into young frogs. The young frogs will leave the pond to join the adults in late July or early August, feeding in shrubs and trees. They eat many insects, but favor beetles and caterpillars. To learn more about reproduction in anurans, check out The Fascinating World of Frogs and Toads by Marice Julivert. 10. How long have amphibians been around? Amphibians have been around for an estimated 350 million years. The earliest known frog appeared about 190 million years ago, during what is known as the late Jurassic period. 11. What are some predators of frogs and toads?

Frogs and toads have many predators including, fish, snakes and birds. AMPHIBIANS IN CAPTIVITY 1. How do I raise tadpoles and what do I feed them? If you have the tadpoles inside you will need to feed them until they go through metamorphosis. You can feed them prepared fish food or cooked greens, such as romaine lettuce. When the tadpoles turn into frogs, you can feed them live crickets, waxworms or earthworms. It is also necessary to provide the tadpoles with something they can climb onto to get out of the water when they go through metamorphosis. There is good information in Keeping and Breeding Amphibians by Chris Mattison. One problem you will run into is that if you are in a state like Minnesota you cannot release the frogs until next April or May. One thing you can try, it may not be completely successful is to put the tadpoles in a gallon jar of water ( no more than 5 per gallon) and place the jar in the back of the refrigerator so that they will "hibernate".

If you are in a state where the ponds have not frozen for the winter you can try to release them in the spring/summer. For additional information click here . 2. What kind of habitat do I provide for my frog or toad? You should always try to simulate your frog or toad's natural outdoor habitat. In general, your vivarium should include: 1) enough room for the frog or toad to move/hop/crawl about, 2) pebbles or turf on the bottom of the vivarium, 3) a dish of unchlorinated water for the frog or toad to sit in, 4) a hollow log, sticks, or rocks that provide a hiding place, and 5) an ample food supply, such as crickets. **You can buy crickets and de-chlorination drops at your local petstore. Check out Frogland for more information about pet frog care. (Photo of Gray Treefrog, courtesy of Don, KY.) 3. I have a small pond in my backyard that is about 16 inches deep and there is not much room on the bottom for hiding. In preparation for the winter, I have taken my fish out of the pond and brought them indoors.

It is starting to get pretty cold at night and I still have frogs and toads hanging around my pond. What should I do with the frogs and toads? Should I take them indoors for the winter? If I need to bring them in, what should I provide them to ensure their survival until the spring when I can let them go? A pond that is 16 inches deep is shallow enough that it will freeze over in the winter. Many frogs will over-winter in the mud and vegetation on the bottom of lakes and ponds that do not freeze over. Normally the frogs and toads start their winter hibernation in October. Watch what the frogs and toads do as the weather gets colder and the lakes start to freeze. If the weather starts getting colder and the frogs and toads are still hanging around your pond, you may want to either transport them to a nearby lake or pond that does not feeze through, or take the frogs and toads indoors for the winter. (For instructions on setting up an indoor vivarium, see question 2. under Amphibians in Captivity.) 4. How do I handle frogs? Use extreme caution when holding frogs.

It is best to grasp their shoulder blades (or scapulae) with your thumb and forefinger. Be careful not to squeeze their abdominal area. Touch frogs only with wet hands that have been cleaned of all sunscreens or insect repellants, which can kill frogs, tadpoles, or eggs. THE ANATOMY OF FROGS AND TOADS For pictures of the anatomy and physiology of frogs check out these fantastic web sites! Frog Morphology & Physiology Tutorials 1. Can frogs hear? Yes. Frogs hear using big round ears on the sides of their head. What you can see is called the tympanum. It is the outside covering that protects the external ear opening. 2. How do frogs and toads breathe? Most frogs and toads breathe (and take in moisture) through their skin through a process called cutaneous gas exchange, but they also have lungs with which they breathe. 3. How do frogs and toads call? They squeeze their lungs with their nostrils and mouth shut. Air flows over their vocal chords and into their vocal sacs located on their throat, which then blow up like balloons. There are some frogs that can make noises without vocal sacs. 4.

How do I tell the sex of my frog or toad? Sexing frogs depends on the species. There are a number of tropical species that are dimorphic in regards to color, with the males being more colorful than females. In Minnesota, Bullfrogs and Green Frog males have larger eardrums than females. In some species males will have enlarged thumbs. Most good field guides will provide descriptions of the differences. Under certain conditions, some frogs can change their sex! Check it out: 5. What is the function of a frog's skin? The function of frog skin is to regulate moisture and fluid transfer. This is why frogs live near lakes, ponds, and streams. This is also why it is not good to hold a frog for too long. Your dry hands will cause the frog's skin to become dry. 6. Do frogs and toads change color? There are a number of frogs and toads that can change color, depending on the temperature or substrate. In the US the best known example is the Gray Tree Frogs which regularly change from bright green to gray. For more information check Mattison's Frogs and Toads of the World. 7. Do frogs and toads have teeth?

Yes, one of the few characteristics that the three living orders of amphibians (frogs, toads, etc) share is 'jointed' or 'hinged' teeth. 8. How long is a frog's tongue and how fast is it? The frog's digestive system starts in the mouth with its tongue. For the most part, frog tongues are attached near the back of the jaw and folded on the base of the mouth with the tip of the tongue pointing back toward its throat. Their tongues can be flipped out very rapidly and accurately in order to catch an insect or other tasty treat (mucus glands in the mouth produce a sticky substance that helps to catch prey) ( ). 9. How does frogs' blood and human blood compare? Check out the following site to find out: 10. Can some frogs really clean out their stomach with their legs? Yes, there are some species of frogs that are able to throw up their entire stomach and wipe it off with their legs. The frogs will do this when they eat something toxic. For more information on this, check out the following site: 11. How do frogs and toads deal with water loss? Different species of frogs and toads have different ways of reducing water loss.

Most frogs and toads live in habitats that provide access to some sort of water body. The frogs and toads will then spend time in the water 'replenishing' any water they have lost. However, there are some frogs and toads that have unique methods of dealing with water loss. For example, the Water-holding Frog from South Australia lives in the desert and spends most if its time underground. Because the desert is very dry, the frog seals itself in a water-proof cocoon it makes from laters of shed skin. Click here for more information . Another frog that has a unique way of reducing water loss if the the Giant Waxy Treefrog. This species lives high in the rainforest canopy where humidity levels may get relatively low. To reduce water loss, this species produces a waxy substance that it spreads over its skin. lay eggs in long chains a group of toads is called a KNOT of toads 2. How do I tell the difference between a young Bullfrog and a young Green Frog? Juvenile Green Frogs and Bullfrogs should be easily separated by the presence or lack of dorsolateral folds (which are folds of skin, not bony ridges).

The dorsolateral folds are the raised lines on a frog's back. They are present inGreen frogs, but not in Bullfrogs. In addition, female Bullfrogs and Green frogs will have a small tympanum (eardrum) compared to the males. Bullfrog tadpoles regularly take two years before metamorphosis. In some areas it can be three years. Bullfrogs will not breed without calling, but juvenile frogs will disperse from adjacent ponds or rivers. Bullfrogs and Green Frogs will not interbreed. 3. How do I tell the difference between the Gray Tree Frog and the Cope's Gray Tree Frog? The physical characteristics of the Gray Tree Frog and the Cope's Gray Tree Frog are very similar, so the best way to distinguish between the two is by their calls. The Gray Tree Frog has a musical, birdlike call and the Cope's Gray Tree Frog has a fast, metallic buzzlike trill. 4. What is the largest frog in the world? The largest frog is the Goliath Frog of Cameroon in Africa, and is found near swiftly flowing rivers and in dense rain forests. They look like giant bullfrogs.

Its body can be more than a foot long, and its entire length with the legs extended can be more than two and a half feet long. Goliath Frogs have been known to weigh more than seven pounds! 5. What is the smallest frog in the world? "A new frog discovered in Cuba by scientists funded by the National Science Foundation is the smallest in the Northern Hemisphere, and is tied for the world record with the smallest frog in the Southern Hemisphere...The one-centimeter-long frog also is the smallest of the tetrapods, a grouping that includes all animals with backbones except fishes...Scientists S. Blair Hedges of Penn State and his Cuban colleagues discovered the tiny orange-striped black frog living under leaf litter and among the roots of ferns in a humid rainforest on the western slope of Cuba's Monte Iberia. Hedges and Cuban scientist Alberto Estrada gave the frog the scientific name Eleutherodactylus iberia . Those two words are more than three times longer than the frog itself." 6. What is the smallest frog in North America?

The smallest frog in North America is the Little Grass Frog (Pseudacris / Limnaoedus ocularis), which ranges in length from 7/16 to 5/8 inches. Frogs - an Introduction. Biology article by D G Mackean Frogs - an Introduction For illustrations to accompany this article see Amphibia, an Introduction The frogs are some of the few remaining members of the amphibia, a group which flourished 250 million years ago. Other present-day members of the group are the toads, newts and salamanders. The amphibia are adapted, in general, to moving, feeding and breathing on land as well as in fresh water. At certain times of their life history or at particular seasons, however, they show a dependence on, or preference for one or the other. External features The frog is poikilothermic i.e. its body temperature varies with that of its surroundings. It has a loose-fitting moist skin. Its eyes protrude in such a way that they are above water when the rest of the body is immersed. The eyes have movable lids but, in addition, the whole eyeball can be withdrawn farther into the head by muscles.

This can be seen to happen sometimes when the frog is swallowing. Its nostrils are situated so that air can be breathed while the frog is swimming at the surface; they can also be closed. Behind the eyes are circular ear-drums. Sounds in the air or water set these thin membranes vibrating, the vibration being transmitted by a small bone to a sensory region which sends nervous impulses to the brain. Locomotion The frog's powerful hind legs are adapted for both swimming and leaping. The strong extensor muscles of the thigh contract, extending the limb and thrusting the foot against the ground or against the water. The thrust is transmitted through the body of the frog by the pelvic girdle and the spine so that the whole animal is pushed forward. In the water the webbed hind feet provide a greater surface area for pushing backwards on the water. The smaller fore-limbs help to steer when the frog is swimming and absorb the shock of landing after a jump on land. On moving from water to land or over rough ground the frog will crawl rather than leap. Breathing The frog's skin is smooth and moist, fairly thin, and well supplied with blood vessels which branch into a fine network of thin-walled capillaries.

Oxygen from the air or water, dissolves in the film of moisture over the skin, diffuses through the skin, through the walls of the blood capillaries and into the blood. Here it combines with the red pigment, haemoglobin, and is carried away in the circulation, back to the heart and then round the rest of the body. Excess carbon dioxide is eliminated from the blood in a similar way, diffusing out of the blood vessels, through the skin and into the atmosphere. The skin is effective for breathing on land or in water and is in use continuously. When the frog is inactive the skin absorbs enough oxygen to meet its needs. During and after activity it may breathe air into its lungs by gulping movements of the floor of its mouth. The lungs can be used only when the frog is on land or swimming at the surface. The nostrils have valves which prevent the entry of water and control the flow of air into the lungs. Unlike the mammals, amphibia and reptiles do not make regular and rhythmic breathing movements but gulp air into their lungs spasmodically as the need arises. Air is forced into the lungs by raising the floor of the mouth.

The lungs lie in the body cavity and, unlike those of mammals, are not separated from the other organs by a diaphragm. The lungs can be inflated to many times their relaxed size, so apparently inflating the entire frog. The moist lining of the large mouth is also a respiratory surface. Like the skin, it is in constant use, except when submerged, but the movements of the mouth-floor can be used to exchange the air in it. Feeding Adult frogs are carnivorous, feeding on worms, beetles, flies and other insects. Worms and beetles may simply be picked up by the mouth but flying insects can be caught on the wing. On occasions the frog will leap towards the insect and trap it in its wide, gaping mouth; on other occasions its tongue is used. The tongue is attached to the front of the mouth and can be rapidly extended by muscles. It is shot out in a half circle, and the insect is trapped by the sticky saliva covering the surface. Insects can be picked off the ground or vegetation in a similar way. The prey is swallowed whole but there are rows of tiny, closely set teeth in the upper jaw and in the roof of the mouth which prevent the prey escaping.

In swallowing, the eyes are often pulled farther into the head and press down on the prey. Skin and colour The predominant colours in the common frog are green, yellow, brown and black, with whitish areas on the underside. The mottled patterning of these colours is thought to be of protective value in camouflaging the animal in its natural surroundings. The frog's colour can change to some extent, expansion or contraction of pigment cells in the skin making the frog darker or lighter. Such tones may correspond more closely to the frog's background in different circumstances and help to conceal it, but in many amphibia, temperature and humidity play a part in causing colour changes. The colour change operates through the sense organs and brain. A hormone from the pituitary gland circulates in the blood stream and has an effect on the pigment in certain cells. In the skin are mucous glands which make the slimy fluid that covers the body. The sliminess makes the frog difficult to catch and keeps the skin moist. In the toad, a special group of glands behind the eyes produces an unpleasant poisonous substance that may serve as protection against enemies.

Life Cycle (a) Fertilisation Nearly all amphibians must return to water to breed although some tropical species make a "pond" in a rolled up leaf or hollow tree, the "pond" being derived from liquefaction of the jelly round the eggs. In one species the female places the fertilised eggs in pouches on her back where they develop through all the tadpole stages into tiny but fully formed frogs. In this country in Spring, usually during March, male and female frogs move out of their winter quarters to the nearest pond. The females are usually larger, their bodies swollen with mature eggs, while the males have developed black, horny pads on their thumbs. These pads enable the male to grip the female behind the fore-limbs, and in this way the male may be carried about on the female's back, mostly in the water, for several days. When the female lays the eggs, the male produces a seminal fluid containing sperms. This pours on to the eggs as they leave the female's body, and the sperms fertilize the eggs. Fertilization occurs when the nuclei of the sperm and egg meet and join together or fuse.

The eggs or sperms leave the body through an opening, the cloaca, just above the region where the hind legs join the body. Since the jelly, or albumen, round the eggs swells on contact with the water, fertilization would be impossible unless carried out at the moment the eggs leave the female's body. Thus, although fertilization is external, the pairing of frogs ensures that this happens. (b) Development 1. The jelly round the eggs in the familiar frog-spawn has several advantages. It sticks them together and prevents their being swept away or eaten. It protects them from mechanical injury, from drying up and, probably, from attacks by fungi and bacteria. 2. The egg itself is a small sphere of semi-liquid cytoplasm in a tough, black egg membrane. There is a nucleus, and the lower cytoplasm contains yolky granules that are the only food supply for the first weeks of development. Sufficient oxygen must be able to diffuse through the jelly and the egg to allow the vital processes to go on. 3. Shortly after fertilization, the time depending partly on the temperature, the nucleus of the egg divides into two smaller nuclei which separate.

The cytoplasm then divides to include each nucleus in a separate unit of cytoplasm so that there now appear two smaller cells, each with a nucleus. 4. A similar division takes place again in each cell but at right angles to the first division, making four smaller, roughly equal cells. 5. A third division takes place in the four cells, this time at right angles to the other two, round the "equator", forming eight cells of which the lower four are slightly larger than the upper four. 6. The cells continue to divide again and again until the "egg" becomes a hollow ball of tiny cells. The cells are very numerous and too small to be seen even with a hand lens. There is little increase in size during this division or cleavage but a great increase in the number of cells and nuclei. The egg has become an embryo, but to a casual observer it is still a spherical black ball and there is little evidence of the vigorous activity that has been going on. 7. All this happens in the first day or two. Later the sphere begins to elongate and develop a distinct head and tail. Meanwhile the cells are being organized internally to form the structures and organs of the tadpole.

The energy and raw materials for this process come from the yolk. 8. After about ten days the jelly immediately round the tadpole liquefies and the tadpole can be seen moving about inside. The liquefaction also makes it easier for the tadpole to wriggle out of the jelly and into the water. At this stage its mouth has not yet opened and it is still digesting and using the remains of the yolk in its intestine. It clings to waterweed or to the surface of its jelly by its mucous glands which produce a sticky secretion. The tadpole is quite black, and the rudimentary external gills are visible, but it breathes through its skin at this stage. Although the tadpoles are merely attached to, and not feeding on the waterweed, a good deal of spasmodic wriggling takes place in the clusters of tadpoles. 9. In two or three days the mouth has opened and the tadpoles can scrape the coatings of microscopic plants and other deposits from the surface of pondweeds using a pair of horny jaws and frilly lips. The three pairs of external, branched gills have developed and the blood can be seen circulating in them under the low power of a microscope.

These gill filaments are thin-walled and present a fairly large surface area to the water. Oxygen dissolved in the water passes through the filament walls and into the blood close to the surface. 10. After about three weeks the mucous glands ‘disappear’ and a distinct division into body and tail occurs, together with a rapid increase in size. Internal gills are formed, opening to the outside by a single hole, the spiracle, on the left side. The fold of skin enclosing the space outside the gills is called the operculum. By now the external gills have shrivelled and been reabsorbed into the body. In breathing, water is taken in through the mouth, passed over the internal gills, through the gill slits into the gill chamber formed by the operculum and, finally, out through the spiracle. As the water passes over the gill filaments, dissolved oxygen diffuses into the blood. 11. The tail elongates and develops a broad transparent web along its dorsal and ventral surfaces. Vigorous wriggling movements of the body and tail propel the tadpole through the water in a similar way to a fish but with less speed and precision.

A long, coiled intestine has developed and can be seen through the skin of the abdomen. The long intestine is adapted to the digestion of an exclusively vegetable diet. Eyes and nostrils are easily seen at this time. In this stage the tadpole grows considerably in size with little pronounced change in form for two or three weeks. 12. At two months from hatching, the tadpole comes to the surface frequently to gulp air into its lungs, which have begun to form. The hind-limb buds near the junction of the body and tail begin to grow and develop into perfect legs. The front legs also grow but do not yet appear because they are covered by the operculum; nevertheless they can be seen bulging beneath the skin in this region. The hind limbs are not yet used for locomotion but hang limply by the side of the body while the fish-like wriggling movements take place. The diet changes from vegetation, and the tadpoles nibble preferentially at dead animals or raw meat, at least in the aquarium, and associated with this is the shortening of the intestine and, later, the narrowing of the abdominal region. 13.

Metamorphosis At about three months, the front legs break through the operculum, the left leg appearing first by pushing through the spiracle while the right has to rupture the operculum. The tail shortens, being internally digested and absorbed, so providing a source of nutriment for the tadpole which has stopped feeding. The skin is shed, taking with it the larval lips and horny jaws, leaving a much wider mouth. Finally, the young frog climbs out of the pond on to the land, still with a tail stump, but using its legs for jumping and swimming. These changes take place within about four weeks. The young frogs remain in the damp vegetation and long grass in the vicinity of the pond, catching and eating small insects. In four years the frog will be old enough to breed. The times given for development are only approximate since the temperature of the pond-water can alter the rate of metamorphosis from days to weeks and vice versa. It is more reliable to refer to the phase of development, e.g. hind-leg stage or external-gill stage, rather than age in days. Habitat In early spring, during the breeding season, frogs-spend their time in ponds and lakes with a steady flow of water.

They are not usually found in swiftly running water. After egg-laying they are more likely to be encountered in damp vegetation than in water. They are unlikely to be found in any dry situation where their skins could lose water and dry up and so seriously impair their breathing. In winter they hibernate in the sense that they are dormant and do not feed. They lie up in the mud at the bottom of ponds, in damp moss or holes in the ground and their eyes, mouth and nostrils are closed. For illustrations to accompany this article see Characteristics of Amphibia, an Introduction Search this site Frogs - National Wildlife Federation Frogs by Kathy Kranking Frogs do some things that might seem strange to you. But that's just because you're not a frog! For frogs, these things are perfectly normal ways of surviving. There are almost 6,000 species of frogs, and they live all around the world except in Antarctica. Some kinds are smaller than lima beans while others are almost as big as footballs. Frogs' bodies are pretty different from yours. Take their legs, for example. They're packed with muscles that make some frogs amazing jumpers. One of the farthest-jumping frogs is the Australian rocket frog.

It can leap about 50 times its own body length. That's like you being able to jump most of the way across a football field in a single bound! Frogs are amazing in lots of other ways, too. For one thing, they are incredible hunters. A frog's tongue is attached at the front of the mouth instead of at the back, as yours is. The tongue is covered in sticky stuff. To catch a meal, the frog flips its tongue out (photo 1) nabs the prey, then gobbles it up—all in less than a second! As the frog swallows, its eyeballs sink down into its head. That helps to push the food down its throat (photo 2). Frogs have lungs, but they can also take in oxygen through their skin. So when they're underwater, they don't have to come up to breathe. Some frogs have webbed feet to help with swimming. And sticky toe pads give treefrogs a non-slip grip on branches and leaves. DRESSED FOR SUCCESS Here's another thing that sounds freaky about frogs: Many kinds can make themselves disappear! It's not really so freaky, though. They do it with camouflage!

Some frogs blend in by matching the colors around them. This can make them invisible to predators as well as prey. But some go even further. They match the color and shape of their surroundings. Can you figure out how many of the "leaves" in the photo above left are actually leaf mimic toads? (Toads are a kind of frog.) Poison frogs, on the other hand, don't "dress" to blend in—they dress to stand out. The strawberry poison frog at top left is more than just pretty. Its colors are a warning to predators to steer clear because the frog is poisonous. A CHORUS OF CALLERS Do you like to blow bubbles? So do male frogs! But they don't use chewing gum. They have built-in bubbles! That might sound like another freaky thing, but it's actually a great way to help the frogs find mates. Here's why: When springtime comes, male frogs gather at ponds and sing to invite female frogs to mate with them. They also sing to tell other males to stay away from their part of the pond. Each kind of frog has its own song. When the males sing, they inflate their vocal sacs, making them look like big bubbles.

This helps make their voices sound louder. Check out the gladiator treefrog at top right. It has a "bubble chin." And the edible frog above right is blowing double bubbles! SAFE AND SOUND EGGS Frogs are amphibians, animals that live double lives. That doesn't mean they're spies! It means most of them spend the first part of their lives in the water as tadpoles and the second part living on land as frogs. Most kinds of frogs lay their eggs in a pond or other body of water, then leave forever. But some frogs have very different ways of doing things when it comes to their eggs. The male poison frog, for example, stays with his eggs and guards them from predators until they hatch (top left). A male midwife toad takes things a step further. He wraps strands of eggs around his legs! (above left) Then he "wears" them until the eggs hatch. African grey treefrogs do something pretty amazing. They make a nest of foam for their eggs. First the females squirt gooey stuff onto a branch that hangs over a pond. Then the males kick with their hind legs, whipping the goo into a frothy nest of tiny bubbles (top right).

The females lay their eggs inside the nest. Soon the outside of the bubble nest dries and hardens into a shell. That protects the eggs and keeps them moist. When the tadpoles begin hatching from the eggs, the nest begins to fall apart. Each tadpole wriggles its way through the foam. Then—plop!—it drops (small photo above) into the water below. A female pygmy marsupial frog does something with her eggs that might seem pretty strange to you. She tucks them into a special pouch under the skin on her back (above right). It's like she's wearing a built-in backpack! BYE-BYE, BABIES When it's time for a pygmy marsupial frog's babies to hatch, the female finds a plant called a bromeliad (bro-MEE-lee-ad). Rainwater often collects in the center of a bromeliad's leaves, making a pool. The mom backs into the pool, and the tadpoles wriggle out of the pouch and into their new "swimming pool" home (top photo). When the strawberry poison frog's eggs hatch, the mom moves the tadpoles to a bromeliad pool, as well.

One by one, each tadpole gets a "froggyback" ride! (bottom photo) The Darwin's frog does something that might seem the freakiest of all to you. When the eggs are almost ready to hatch, the dad gobbles them up! They land inside his vocal sac, where they hatch into tadpoles and grow into frogs. Then they hop out of their dad's mouth, ready to go! So now you know the truth: Though they're totally amazing and often surprising, there's really nothing freaky about frogs! All About Frogs for kids and teachers | kiddyhouse.com/Themes/frogs Other Themes What are frogs ? Frogs are a kind of small animal belonging to a group called vertebrates (animals with backbones) known as amphibians. This mean that they live part of their life in water and the other part of it on land. The word amphibian comes from 2 Greek words, "amphi" which means "both" and "bios" which means "life". Amphibians are cold-blooded animals. This mean that their body temperature is the same as the surrounding temperature. Their skin absorbs water into their body so they do not have to drink water to survive.

Examples of other amphibians are salamanders and caecillians. Frogs have strong hind legs to enable them leap forward at a great distance. The front legs or arms are short. They are used to prop the frog up when it sits. The Cricket frog (4cm or 1.5 inch long) can leap 40 times its length in one jump! How big is the biggest and how small is the smallest ? The largest frog is the giant or Goliath frog of West Central Africa. It can grow up to more than 1 ft long (30 cm). The largest frog in America is the Bullfrog . It can grow up to more than 6 inches long. The smallest frog in the Southern Hemisphere is the Brazilian Gold Frog (Brazilian Psyllophryne Didactyla) at 9.8 millimetres (approx. 3/8 of an inch). In the Northern Hemisphere, the smallest frog is the Monte Iberia Eleuth , discovered on a mountain in Cuba in 1996. They measure about 9.6 - 9.8 mm long.

Recently (2010), Scientists have discovered a frog the size of a pea on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. The adult males range in size from 10.6 - 12.8 millimetres, making them the smallest found in Asia, Africa or Europe. This newly discovered amphibian has been named Microhyla Nepenthicola . It is a name of a plant in Borneo on which it lives. Frogs are special. They can breathe by means of the lungs and also through their skin. This is because of the way their heart is formed. It has 3 chambers instead of the normal 4. Where do frogs live ? Frogs can be found almost anywhere except the Antartica. However, most species are found in tropical regions. More frogs are found in warmer countries. You can find frogs in water or near places that have water like ponds and streams. However, some frogs will never enter the water. They live mainly on land and go to the water only to mate. Then, there are some kinds that live in trees. These frogs have tiny sticky pads on their fingers and toes to help them cling to the tree trunk as they climb. Some frogs are burrowers.

Burrower frogs live on land and have short hind legs and cannot hop. Frogs that live in cold winter places, hibernate during this time. They hibernate either in burrows or burried in mud bottom of ponds. Frogs also have webbed feet for swimming. Some have suction disks on the tip of their toes to help them climb. The back feet of the Spade-Foot toad has a special hard spur to make it easier for burrowing. Some have large webs to assist them in gliding in the air, almost like flying. The spines on the males' front feet help them to grip on the female during mating. How does a frog catch an insect? The frog's diet consist mainly of insects, small animals like earthworms, minnows and spiders. Most frogs have a sticky tongue. To catch an insect, the frog flips out its tongue rapidly, get the insect and retracts its tongue. Frogs will swallow their prey in one piece because they only have teeth in the upper jaw. Doesn't do much for chewing ! Frogs hunt mostly at night. Make A Frog Mask to show the children how a frog catches its prey with its tongue. Print out the template.

Use a party blower for the tongue. Do you know that some frogs do not have a tongue? Find out more here - tongueless frogs How does the frog protect itself from the enemy ? The frog has enemies that will eat them. They are bats, heron, fish, racoons, turtles, snakes and even human beings. Human beings eat them and also destroy their natural habitat and prevent them from breeding. Different species of frogs have different kinds of protection. Some have poison glands in their skin, like a chemical warfare tactic !. The skin will secret and cover the body with the poison and this will deter the enemy from eating them. Some use colors to protect themselves. Some will be very brightly colored body (especially red and yellow) to warn enemies that it taste bad or are poisonous, so stay away! Example of this is the Poison Arrow Frog (Poison-dart) . The American Native Indians used their poison for their arrows . The Malaysian Leap Frog will show bright colors to confuse its enemy. Others will use their color as camouflage to blend into the environment to hide from their enemies. The Red-Eyed Tree Frog does this pretty well. Frogs also have buldging eyes.

This is to enable them to have a panoramic view (can view in all directions) and avoid the enemy. Some will try to fool the enemy by puffing themselves up with air to make it look too big to be swallowed. An example is the Tomato frog . Then there is this False-Eyed frog which hunches over to show its two false eye spots at the back. The spots also oozes out foul smelling liquid. The eye spots are to scare the enemy away and if that does not work, it hopes to deter the enemy from eating it by the foul smell. The Leopard Frog will play dead by keeping very still and holding its breathe to avoid being eaten. Some will give out a loud scream to startle the enemy to drop them. Some will urinate as it jumps away to give it a bad taste and also to cover their scent. Singing Frogs? The male frogs are the ones that sing. Different species sing different songs. Males are the ones that have the loud voice. Some females have voices too but they are softer. The males sing (grunts, croaks) to attract the females for mating.

Some frogs even have a vocal sac which fills with air and swells up to make the voice even louder, like an amplifier (refer to picture). Some males use their voice as a territorial call to warn other males of the same species that this is their territory. Mating Before frogs mate, their bodies go through some changes. These changes are caused by chemicals called hormones. They produce sex cells and changes in appearance of the frogs like having brighter colors. The chemical changes are brought on by changes in the environment - warmer weather, more hours of sunlight or more rainfall. Once the male frog attracts a female to mate. it will sit on the female's back and hold onto it - amplex position. As the eggs are released into the water, the male will release sperm over them to fertilize them and then they will leave. Some species do it in a different way though. The Darwin male frog will keep the eggs in their vocal pouch. The male Midwife toad will wind the eggs around their hind legs and carry them about until they hatch (see picture). Certain tropical frogs will lay their eggs among leaves or holes in trees where there are rain water. Some will attach their eggs under leaves which are hanging over water.

When the tadpoles hatch, they fall into the water. Example of this is the Red-Eyed Tree frog . There are some which will lay their eggs on land, under logs and dead leaves. There are even a stranger ones like the Gastric Brooding Frog which give birth to their young via their mouths! The male Surinam toad collects the eggs laid by the female and puts them on her back. Her skin swells up into a pocket-like thing and covers the eggs. Frogs that live in tropical and semi-tropical regions, breed during the rainy season. This is because tadpoles need water to survive. Others, breed in spring or early summer. Life Cycle of frogs The life cyle of a frog is very interesting. It changes from one form to another form in a process called, metamorphosis. Click here to find out more about the Life Cycle of a frog or download the picture for use in class. Why are frogs important ? Frogs are important to human beings. They are a source of food in some countries. They eat insects, some of which are serious pests. We use them for medical research to test for new drugs and students dissect them to learn about anatomy.

They are also part of the eco-system which means that whatever happens to them will affect other animals and even us in different ways. We are all connected in the web of life. The Frog Skeletons vs. Human Skeletons - How Frogs Work | HowStuffWorks The Frog Skeletons vs. Human Skeletons Photodisc/ Getty Images As anyone who has dissected one in biology class knows, a frog's internal organs look a lot like what you'd find inside a much larger animal. Just like mammals -- including people -- a frog's body has a heart and lungs as well as a stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and intestines. Even though frogs don't look much like people on the outside, their skeletons are similar to people's skeletons, especially when it comes to their limbs. Just like in a person's arms, in a frog's front legs are bones called the humerus, the radius and the ulna. However, a frog's radius and ulna are fused into one bone. The same is true for a frog's legs -- the femur supports its upper leg, and the bones of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula, are fused.

A frog has two scapulae, or shoulder blades, and clavicles, or collarbones, that are shaped a lot like the same bones in a person's body. Up Next The Ultimate Frogs and Warts Quiz A collection of small bones makes up a frog's digits, or its fingers and toes. Most of the time, a frog has five toes on its back legs and four toes on its front legs. The length and shape of the toes has a big impact on how the frog moves. Tree frogs have long, flexible toes that allow them to grasp stems and branches as they climb around. Aquatic frogs also have long toes -- the spaces between them are webbed so they can use their feet like flippers. Some frogs burrow into the soil in the summer or winter. Often, their feet are shorter and wider, like shovels or spades. But a frog's skeleton isn't so similar to a human's once you get past the extremities. Frogs have skulls but don't have necks, so they can't turn, lift or lower their heads like people can. A frog also doesn't have ribs. The rib-like structures you can see in the picture above are part of its spine.

A frog's pelvis can slide up and down its spine, which may help it jump. The vertebrae at the bottom end of the spine are fused into one bone called the urostyle. Read on to find out how frogs hear without ears and why their eyes are perched on top of their heads. Sticky Feet Some frogs use a wet or sticky substance on their feet to help them climb trees and cling to surfaces. In some species, this is a very thin layer of watery fluid that increases the friction between the frog's feet and the surface. In others, it's an adhesive. These frogs have textured feet -- the surface acts like series of microscopic canals that keep the adhesive flexible and prevent it from cracking as the frog moves.

Question: How many digits do frogs have on their back feet?
Answer: Five