ENGLISH. SONG:LIFE CYCLE OF A FROG.

                                         

What are frogs?

Frogs are amphibians that belong to a group called vertebrates which mean animals that have a backbone.   The word amphibian comes from a Greek word that means "two lives."  Amphibians are cold - blooded.  This means that their inside body temperatures are about  the same as the temperature outside.  Their skin absorbs water into their body so they don't have to drink water in order to survive.  Frogs have very strong legs for leaping great distances.

What do frogs look like?

A frog is a small, tailless animal with bulging eyes. 
Almost all frogs have:
-  long back legs and short front legs, 
- a flat head, and body with no neck.  

Adult frogs have no tail, though one North American species has a short tail.  Most frogs have a sticky tongue attached to the front part of the mouth.  They can rapidly flip out the tongue to capture prey. They may vary in color or size.  Most frogs are green or brown, but some have colorful markings. 

The smallest species of frog grow only 1/2 inch long. The largest measures nearly a foot.

Where do frogs live?

Frogs can be found almost anywhere except the Antartica. However, most species are found in tropical regions. More frogs are found in warmer countries. You can find frogs in water or near places that have water like ponds and streams. However, some frogs will never enter the water. They live mainly on land and go to the water only to mate. Then, there are some kinds that live in trees. These frogs have tiny sticky pads on their fingers and toes to help them cling to the tree trunk as they climb. Some frogs are burrowers. Burrower frogs live on land and have short hind legs and cannot hop. Frogs that live in cold winter places, hibernate during this time. They hibernate either in burrows or buried in mud bottom of ponds.

If you're looking for a frog, probably the best time to look is at night with a strong torch - when you shine it on the eyes of a frog you'll see a little red flash (like a fox's eyes).

What does a frog eat?

Frogs don't hunt for their food.  Their big eyes are on top of their head so they can see all the way around. Frogs eat other animals, typically bugs and worms. Frogs help humans because they eat so many insect pests. Some large species of frogs, like the African bullfrog, will try to eat just about anything, including other frogs as well as small fish, reptiles and mammals.

Who are the enemies of a frog?

Frogs have many enemies.  Foxes, bats, rats, birds, fish, raccoons, turtles, snakes, and humans are a frog's enemy.  But human beings are the worst!  We destroy their homes and breeding places by replacing natural areas with cities, homes, and farms,  We also pollute and therefore poison the water in which frogs live.

Why are frogs important?

Frogs benefit us in many ways.  They eat large number of insects.  They provide us with food.  The meaty hind legs of larger frogs are considered a delicacy in many countries.  In the United States, people eat mainly the legs of bullfrogs, green frogs and leopard frogs.  Frogs are also used in labs to help researchers to test new drugs and students in school dissect them to learn about anatomy.

How do frogs move?

Frogs that swim use their powerful hind legs and webbed feet to push them through the water.  On land, the frogs hop.  They use their very strong hind legs to leap.  Most frogs can jump ten times their body length.