Frog Anatomy and Physiology

Tympanic Membrane

• Located behind a frog's eye, the tympanic membrane acts as its eardrum.
• It transmits sound waves to the middle and inner ear, enabling hearing both in air and underwater.

Nictitating Membrane

• Frogs possess a third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane.
• This membrane serves multiple purposes: lubricating the eyes and providing protection, aiding survival in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Vocal Sacs

• Male frogs have vocal sacs that amplify their mating calls.
• These sacs play a crucial role in advertisement calls for attracting females during mating season.

Vomerine and Maxillary Teeth

• Vomerine teeth are essential for gripping prey, working in tandem with the tongue.
• These teeth focus on aiding in the capture and consumption of food.

Vestigial Thumb

• Male frogs have more muscular thumbs than females, reflecting differences in anatomy related to mating.
• The hindlegs feature webbed toes for swimming, alongside a rudimentary sixth digit which is vestigial.

Tongue Attachment

• The unique attachment of the frog's tongue allows for rapid extension and retraction, crucial for capturing prey.