Frogs and Toads Characteristics

Characteristics

• Amphibians, belonging to the order Anura
• Typically have a moist, smooth skin
• Long, jumping legs and webbed feet
• No tail in adult stage (apart from a few species)
• Carnivorous, feeding on insects, worms, and other invertebrates

Habitat and Distribution

• Found in a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial environments
• Inhabit ponds, lakes, rivers, forests, and grasslands
• Distributed across the globe, except Antarctica
• Most species are found in tropical and subtropical regions

Life Cycle

• Eggs are laid in water, hatch into larvae (tadpoles)
• Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis, developing into adult frogs
• Adult frogs reproduce, starting the cycle again

Defense Mechanisms

• Camouflage and hiding to avoid predators
• Toxic secretions from skin to deter predators
• Some species can play dead (thanatosis) or release a foul odor

Communication

• Use vocalizations (croaks, chirps, etc.) to communicate
• Visual signals, such as postures and color changes, also used
• Some species use seismic signals, vibrating the ground to communicate

Conservation Status

• Many species are threatened or endangered due to habitat destruction, pollution, and disease
• Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease, has devastated frog populations worldwide
• Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and captive breeding, are underway to protect frog populations

Characteristics of Frogs

• Belong to the order Anura
• Have moist, smooth skin
• Characterized by long, jumping legs and webbed feet
• Adults have no tail, except for a few species

Habitat and Distribution

• Found in a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial environments
• Inhabit ponds, lakes, rivers, forests, and grasslands
• Distributed across the globe, except Antarctica
• Majority of species are found in tropical and subtropical regions

Life Cycle

• Eggs are laid in water, which hatch into larvae (tadpoles)
• Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis, developing into adult frogs
• Adult frogs reproduce, starting the cycle again

Defense Mechanisms

• Use camouflage and hiding to avoid predators
• Have toxic secretions from skin to deter predators
• Some species can play dead (thanatosis) or release a foul odor

Communication

• Use vocalizations (croaks, chirps, etc.) to communicate
• Visual signals, such as postures and color changes, are also used
• Some species use seismic signals, vibrating the ground to communicate

Conservation Status

• Many species are threatened or endangered due to habitat destruction, pollution, and disease
• Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease, has devastated frog populations worldwide
• Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and captive breeding, are underway to protect frog populations

Learn about the physical characteristics, habitat, and distribution of frogs and toads, from their smooth skin to their carnivorous diet.