Frogs

Information about frogs:

Frogs are amphibians of the order Anura. Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed fingers or toes and large bulging eyes. Due to their large powerful legs, most frogs are able to make large, long leaps either to capture prey or avoid being eaten themselves. Frogs have permeable skin, which means it allows water and other liquids to be absorbed directly into their bodies.

There about 4,700 species of frogs identified on earth. These amphibians are usually aquatic or semi-aquatic, but are also comfortable on land and can be found in areas not close to water. Frogs typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, which hatch into tadpoles which develop in water. Frogs are predatory carnivores, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates and vertebrates – basically anything that can move and fit in their mouths might be eaten.

Frogs can be found in habitats ranging from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found near the equator in lush tropical rainforests. There are about 5,000 species of frog identified, with more being discovered every every year. However, the populations of several species are declining significantly, due in large part to climate change, habitat loss, pollution and a deadly fungus disease called chytridiomycosis.

Perhaps most importantly, frog are considered to be a key ‘indicator species’ and their presence, or absence, gives some indication as to the health of ay environment. Frogs figure heavily in literature and religion and many cultures consider frogs to be symbols of good luck.