31 Frog Facts: Weird and Strange Things You Shouldn't Miss

Martha Martins
Oct 12, 2023 By Martha Martins
Originally Published on Mar 11, 2022
A Green Frog with its mouth open.
Age: 3-18
Read time: 6.8 Min

There's a reason why frogs are one of the most popular animals on Earth.

They're strange, weird, and oddly cute and they can do some pretty incredible things! Frogs are incredibly adaptable creatures and can thrive in a variety of different environments.

They mainly eat insects, but they will also consume other small animals or even plants on occasion. Frogs drink water by absorbing it through the skin and swallowing it through their eyes. As frogs demand a lot of water, you'll need to ensure sure they have constant access to water. They'll also require a spot to hide and relax, as well as some live vegetation or insects to consume. They're pretty low-maintenance, don't take up a lot of room, and are simple to clean. Frogs don't really bite humans unless they are in danger.

Frogs can hear a wide range of sounds, from the ultrasonic frequencies that bats use to navigate in the dark to the low rumbles of elephants. They are particularly sensitive to noises in the 20-100 Hz range, which is why they sometimes croak when there's a thunderstorm. The males of some species will actually sing to the females in order to woo them, and many frogs will perform elaborate courtship rituals. Once a pair has mated, the female will lay her eggs and then leave them to hatch on their own. They can be found in a wide range of environments in so many different parts of the world.

Evolution

The evolution and origin of frog species are explained below.

Salamanders and caecilians are far more strongly related to one another than frogs, according to a 2005 genetic phylogeny based on rDNA research, and the three families separated in the Paleozoic or early Mesozoic before the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, and shortly after their split from lobe-finned fishes.

This may explain why there are so few amphibian remains from before the two groups split off. Another molecular phylogenetic analysis from roughly the same time revealed that lissamphibians first appeared around 330 million years ago.

Neobatrachians, salamanders, and caecilians all appeared to have originated in Africa, India, East Asia, and tropical Pangaea, respectively.

Types Of Frog

There are many types of frogs. Some of the important varieties are discussed below.

The Amazon milk frog is a colorful species with overlapping stripes and spots of bright colors as well as light grey to slimy blue skin.

The tomato frog, which is red and fat, resembles a large, ripe tomato.

The goliath frog (Conraua goliath) is the world's biggest frog, measuring between 6.5-12.5 in (16-32 cm) long and weighing between 1-7 lb (0.4-3 kg).

On the other hand, the patterned burrowing frog in Australia habitually aestivates throughout the hot, dry season, living for nine or 10 months without food or water. It crawls underground and wraps itself within a protective cocoon made by its shed skin.

During the winter, the wood frog, whose range stretches to the Arctic Circle, hides in the earth. Regardless of the fact that the bulk of its body remains during this period, it maintains a high glucose content in its vital organs, which shields it from injury.

Boreal Chorus Frog on leaf.

Morphology And Physiology

Frogs are associated with fertility, vitality, change, purity, wealth, and good fortune. Their morphology is different than other animals.

Toxic poisons and dazzling colors are used by frogs to warn predators.

Frogs are carnivores, and their diet consists mostly of insects. However, they will also eat other small animals, such as lizards and snakes.

Some frog species have even been known to eat mice or birds!

Frogs have a very strong digestive system that allows them to digest food quickly, which is why they can eat things that would kill most other animals.

The common species of frogs are unique in the animal kingdom because they are able to mate with either sex.

This allows them to reproduce in a variety of ways, and it also makes them very adaptable. Frogs can lay eggs, give birth to live young, or even clone themselves!

When it comes to mating, frogs are quite unique in that both males and females participate in the process.

The male frogs will usually clasp onto the female with his front legs, and he will then release his sperm while she releases her eggs.

The eggs are deposited into the stream after fertilization, where the eggs hatch and grow into new frogs.

Frogs are capable of vocalizing in a number of different ways, and each species has its own unique call. These calls can be used to communicate with other frogs, attract mates, or scare away predators.

Some frogs go into torpor and stay dormant for months when they are exposed to harsh circumstances.

Many frog species hibernate in the winter in colder climates.

Frogs have small teeth that can puncture slimy skin. Frogs breathe through their skin which allows them to stay underwater for extended periods of time and also makes them very resistant to drought.

Frogs don't have as good hearing as other animals, yet they can still hear some sounds.

Frogs aren't known for their intelligence, but they can detect the difference between various humans and pets.

Frogs are mostly nocturnal animals, which means they like to hunt and move at night.

The average longevity of a pet frog is five years, however, some can survive up to 10 years.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of a frog is split into three stages: egg, larva, and adult.

The frog goes through these phases as it develops, a technique known as metamorphosis.

Two hormones, prolactin, and thyroxine, regulate the transition from egg to larva to adult during metamorphosis.

Many species deposit their eggs among the flora in calm water, where the embryos can grow safely. The female frog deposits a large number of eggs in heaps that cluster together to form spawn. By releasing sperm, the male fertilizes the eggs wherever the female has put them.

Tadpoles are frog larvae with a mouth, simple gills, and a long tail. The tadpole moves relatively little during the first week or two after it hatches.

The gills and tail of tadpoles are totally absorbed into the body at around 12 weeks of age, indicating that the frog has entered the adult stage of its life span.

Now it is ready to leave the water and return to the land, where it will complete the life cycle.

FAQs

What are three facts about frogs?

Three important frog facts include that when frogs mate, the male has vocal cords that usually make croaking sounds and that they grab onto the female's back, and hang on for dear life!

Frogs are able to breathe via their skin, allowing them to stay submerged for extended periods of time. This also makes them resistant to drought.

The sound of each species of frog is distinct, and some frog cries may be recognized nearly a mile away.

How to take care of a frog?

Frogs require a lot of moisture, so you'll need to make sure they have access to water at all times. They also need a place to hide and rest, and you should provide them with some live plants or insects to eat.

What to feed a frog?

Most frogs can be fed a variety of insects (cockroaches, crickets, mealworms, earthworms, fruit flies, and mosquito larvae), and larger frogs can be fed frozen and defrosted pinky mice on rare occasions.

What does a frog symbolize?

Fertility, potential, change, purity, wealth, and good luck are all symbols and meanings associated with frogs.

What is a frog's life cycle?

Eggs, tadpoles, tadpoles with legs, froglets, and adult frogs are all stages of the life cycle.

Why is the frog a good pet?

They're relatively low-maintenance, they don't require a lot of space, and they're easy to keep clean.

Do frogs bite?

Frogs do not bite people unless they feel threatened.

Do pet frogs make noise at night?

Frogs are generally nocturnal animals, meaning that they prefer to hunt and move around at night.

How long do pet frogs live?

Pet frogs typically have a lifespan of around five years, but some can live for up to 10 years.

Do frogs recognize their owners?

Frogs are not typically considered to be very intelligent animals, but they can distinguish between different people and pets.

Can frogs hear you?

Frogs can't hear as well as other animals, but they can still distinguish some sounds.

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Written by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

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