What is a Frog?
Frogs are tailless amphibians belonging to the order Anura. They are known for their bulging eyes, powerful back legs for jumping, and slimy or smooth skin. While most people use the terms "frog" and "toad" interchangeably, toads are actually a sub-category of frogs, typically characterized by drier, wartier skin.
Key Characteristics
Metamorphosis: Frogs begin life as aquatic tadpoles with gills before transforming into air-breathing adults. Permeable Skin: They breathe and drink water through their skin, making them highly sensitive to their environment. Global Presence: From tropical rainforests to frozen tundras, frogs live on every continent except Antarctica.
| Fun Frog Facts | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Gold Medalist: Some frogs can leap over 20 times their own body length. | No Water Needed? A group of frogs is called an army. | Hibernation: Certain wood frogs can survive being frozen solid during winter and "thaw out" in the spring. |
Conservation Status
Many frog species are currently considered indicator species, meaning their health reflects the health of the entire ecosystem. Due to habitat loss and climate change, nearly one-third of the world’s amphibian species are threatened with extinction.