Thinking of frogs is not very attractive for most people, but there is no doubt that they are one of the most unique animals that can exist. The infinity of types of frogs with different colors, shapes and sizes will surprise you.
General characteristics
The frog is part of the group of amphibian animals, these specimens differ from others by undergoing a transformation in their development, which allows them to live both on land and in water. The Amphibian characteristics There are many, and in the case of frogs, when they are very small, they live in the water and as they grow they develop their legs, giving them the opportunity to continue their life cycle on land.
Normally, when we think of frogs we imagine them only green and small, although there are amphibians with these common characteristics, it turns out that there are thousands of frog species with different colors and sizes, they can even reach a length of 30 centimeters.
They are part of the group of anurans, that is, amphibians without tails together with toads. They stand out among so many animals for their agility and ability to move, as well as for their vast jumps, due to their long legs. These animals have an advantage over their predators, since their sharp ears allow them to know when to escape.
They are one of the most peaceful amphibians that exist with shiny skin, this is due to the numerous blood vessels it has and how permeable it can become. They easily adapt to environments, since they are cold-blooded so their temperature matches the environment.
How is your reproduction?
Frogs lay eggs, that is, they are oviparous animals, they are deposited in water or any wet area covered by mud. Females can lay 5.000 to 10.000 eggs, which are protected by a gelatinous mass.
They must follow their natural process underwater, after hatching they live as tadpoles with gills and a tail, thus helping to complete the respective metamorphosis to become adults.
How they feed?
Frogs are often thought to feed solely on insects, mostly flies and mosquitoes, which they catch with their long, slimy tongue. However, they consume a little of everything.
Their diet consists of vertebrate animals such as mice, lizards, fish and small frogs, even the eggs of other frogs expelling the newborns. Also, of invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms, spiders, slugs, earthworms, among other insects that they can find. They themselves feed on small aquatic and terrestrial specimens that their environment can provide.
Frogs are very observant and patient when capturing their prey, this allows them to make greater precision to devour in a matter of seconds.
How long do they live?
Determining the exact years of life is complex due to the number of types of frogs that can live around the world. Also, it depends a lot on whether they are in the wild or in captivity.
If it is free, its life span varies from 4 to 10 years, an influencing factor is the environmental conditions where it is found. On the other hand, when they are in captivity under regular permanent care they can reach 15 years and possibly a little more.
Types of frogs that we can have at home
They have become very popular in homes, as they are relatively easy to care for.
The tree frog
This type of frog is characterized by being surrounded by any type of vegetation, since, as its name indicates, they spend their time climbing trees. In addition, the species that we can find here have similar characteristics among them.
green tree frog
It is very famous as a household pet, because its good interaction with human beings makes it stand out from other frogs, since most of them easily hide from their owners. This species is native to Australia and New Guinea, its charismatic appearance makes it stand out.
In general, they are small, reaching a length of 10 cm, depending on the temperature and the place where their skin color acquires brown and green nuances. In addition, the color of his iris is black with a horizontal shape and the rest of the eye is gold.
These frogs manage to easily climb surfaces because their fingers are joined together by a membrane, thus giving each finger an oval shape. Their life time is relatively long due to captivity, thus being approximately 16 years and even a little more. Caution must be taken with its diet since it is characterized by having a voracious hunger, and by not exercising as it would in freedom, it is prone to being overweight, which is why it is also known by the name of chubby; their diet is mostly based on insects and arachnids.
red-eyed green frog
This species is outstanding for its striking red eyes with a vertical pupil, they come from South America starting from Mexico to Colombia. They have beautiful skin colors that vary between green, blue and yellow, giving them an exotic touch.
Like the green arboreal, its diet includes mostly insects, the females of this species are usually larger than the males, reaching 7 centimeters. It is advisable not to touch it much because its is a bit toxic, when they are free they can live from 3 to 5 years.
It is important that to have it at home, its space must be adapted in the best possible way, placing some stones, plants and trunks to be able to climb.
The aquatic frog
These types of frogs, as their name indicates, reside in humid areas such as ponds or rivers. Of class of aquatic animals is that greater species is obtained in the world, among them:
Bull frog
It is prominent in North America with an extension into Eurasia and various parts of the Americas in general. It is a large frog that can weigh up to 1 kg and a length of 46 cm, its colors are very opaque between brown and green, although yellow and white can be highlighted but very little.
Although they are easy to care for, their aggressive and territorial character does not make them so attractive, it is more common to find them in large aquariums, their diet includes small and large vertebrates such as earthworms, crustaceans, snakes and fish. Its life time is about 8 to 10 years.
african dwarf frog
Native to central Africa, mainly the Congo and Cameroon, they are very small, reaching 2 and a half inches in length. Its color varies from olive green to brown with some black spots.
They have an average lifespan of 5 to 20 years, since they do not have a tongue, they rely on their front legs to push their prey from the mouth to the throat and swallow. They hardly come out of the water, but you have to come to the surface from time to time because they don't have gills but lungs.
African Clawed Frog
This South African anuran has become an invasive species in Chile and Spain. Its name comes from the three long and protruding nails that it has on its hind legs, which help it to hide from its predators in the mud. It has a dark brown color with touches of yellow and black, it reaches a length of 12 cm.
Their diet includes insects, worms and smaller fish. This amphibian can live long enough (15 to 20 years) if it is cared for correctly.
Cranwell's scorpion
These types of terrestrial frogs are typical of Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia. It is also known as chaco, horned toad or pacman frog because it eats everything that moves around it, this species has impressive agility.
It is very common to get it in homes, it has a tendency to grow quite large, weighing up to half of 1 kg and reaching 15 cm. In their natural environment they spend most of their time hidden or buried, their skin tones are dark between green and brown with these attributes they have the ability to mock their predators.
Because they devour without remorse, their lifespan is early, however, the main meals for the amphibian would be invertebrates such as cockroaches, crickets or beetles, as they grow they can be offered vertebrates according to their size.
fire bellied toad
Between frogs and toads there are some differences that we can see with the naked eye, but these amphibians belong to the same group of anurans.
The fire belly is very popular among amphibian lovers due to its striking color combination, they are native to China, Korea and Siberia. They have different sizes but it is common to find them of 5 cm, their diet is rich in invertebrates and they last 15 years of life.
Types of frogs that are poisonous
Although it is true, frogs are very peculiar animals that stand out for their bright colors, one could even say that they are a good representation of the exotic. However, these striking shades represent the level of toxicity that it may have, some of them are:
The Golden Frog
It is considered as the most toxic that exists in the world because only one of them will be enough to end the lives of 10 people if they touch it. It is a species that is in danger of extinction, but it can be found on the coast and in the humidity of the Colombian forests.
It has a characteristic bright yellow skin color, as it can vary with orange and mint. This diurnal amphibian feeds on ants, beetles, and some crickets.
The Blue Arrow Frog
Compared to other types of frogs, this species is difficult to find. However, on a walk south of Suriman it is possible to find it, as well as in areas close to water such as the coasts of Brazil.
It has a vibrant blue color with black spots, a length of 3 to 4 cm in length and an aggressive attitude. Herbivores are necessary in their diet to simplify toxicity, it is not considered as great a threat.
the harlequin frog
It is a therana from Costa Rica, although it has become extinct in the country, it is possible to find it inhabiting the Colombian Pacific. It is one of the most poisonous of the second with a red, yellow or orange skin color, these colors indicate its lethal level of toxicity.
strawberry poison frog
Belonging to the aforementioned country and Nicaragua, it is a terrestrial amphibian that produces a poison that is not at all deadly, but it does generate burning and swelling. This diurnal species is achieved in red and combinations with blue, the males of this species are distinguished by having a territorial character, over that of the female.
Madagascar Tomato Frog
Like the strawberry frog, its poison is not lethal, it only generates symptoms such as poisoning. This species was considered a collection at the time and today it is in danger of extinction, as its name indicates, they have a color similar to tomato red and can weigh 200 gr.
Are there differences between frogs and toads?
There are some differences that we can see with the naked eye and will help us identify if the anuran belongs to the frog or bufo genus.
- Frogs have hydrated skin, smooth or almost smooth in some cases and shiny, while toads have dry, scabrous skin accompanied by some warts.
- Toads have a broad figure with short limbs, they do not have as much agility to jump as they are characterized by being walkers. Instead, the frog has an athletic figure with long ends.
- Frogs live in environments close to water such as river banks, ponds or lakes, while toads are more terrestrial, preferring dry environments.
- These amphibians reproduce oviparously, the difference is that those of the bufo genus lay their eggs in a row and the frogs do so together.
What benefits do frogs provide?
Although it may not seem like it, what these types of frogs provide to the environment is surprising, since they turn out to be essential beings for ecosystems and the constant decline they are presenting due to external agents can generate a revealing impact.
Because frogs are to a greater degree consumers of insects, they perform the task of controlling different types of pests which in many cases are lethal to humans, as well as other animals. Also, these beloved amphibians have the possibility of transferring nutrients that the soil needs to strengthen itself depending on the activity that may be developing in it.
In addition, an interesting fact is that the presence of frogs or any amphibian from this group of anurans in spaces such as fields or forests is a powerful health indicator, since they are constantly exposed to dangerous pollutants by the areas they inhabit (terrestrial and aquatic). So their presence would signal that we are not in a polluted environment.
Other interesting species
There are some species that no matter how much they tell us, it is difficult for us to believe that they exist and frogs are no exception to this. Here are some of them:
long legged frog
Originally from Spain and Portugal, this species lives in rivers or streams located in the mountains, its extinction becomes greater and greater. It has a slender and small appearance, just as its name indicates, its hind limbs stand out for how long they are.
grass frog
It is very common in the continents of Asia and Europe, it is semi-aquatic as it only enters the water to hide from its attackers or reproduce. It is not considered a threat, its appearance is vigorous and brown, they measure about 9 cm.
northern red leg frog
Coming from North America, it is a species that can be found in puddles and ponds, it has an approximate size of 8 cm and stands out for its shiny and smooth skin between shades of brown and red with black spots.
Aren't they frogs?
These types of frogs or species derived from the anuran group do not necessarily belong to the genus frog. However, its existence is surprising.
Crystal Frog
It is called crystal because of the transparency of its skin, so we can easily see its organs. They are about 3 to 4 cm long, spend most of their time in trees, and can be found in both central and southern America.
african frog
Without a doubt, this species generates fear when seeing it since its form and gesture do not look very pleasant. These frogs are a bit plump, their skin color is black with a length of 5 cm, in case a predator attacks it has the peculiarity of inflating itself so as not to be eaten.
goliath frog
It is the largest frog that exists as it reaches a size of 30 cm. Also, frogs are known for their croaking song, but she doesn't.
Like others animals that camouflage, the Goliath frog manages to go unnoticed thanks to its green color with different shades of brown.
