|
"Frogs" Order
Anura
- Frogs are amphibians that have no
tail, two shorter front limbs and two very long hind limbs.
- This body plan
facilitates jumping very effectively and this design has obviously been
successful as it has changed little over many millions of years.
- Frogs
are often found in a peculiar, typical posture with their limbs tucked
tightly into their body. This is known as a moisture conserving posture and
by reducing exposed surface areas cuts down on water loss.
- Like other
amphibians, they are capable of breathing through their skin. To be able to
respire like this requires that the skin stay relatively moist. This
permeability also means that amphibians can `drink' through their skin, and in
fact apart from only one species, frogs are not known to actually drink water.
- The
permeable skin can even extract moisture from seemingly dry substrates such as
sand. But because of this permeable skin, frogs need a moist environment and are
very sensitive to environmental conditions.
- Most species also need standing
water to breed. Therefore, only certain species will survive in gardens, and
only those gardens that are sufficiently 'frog friendly'. However, when
conditions are right, frogs can do very well, and indeed some people think they
do rather too well, when on warm rainy nights their calls drown out every other
noise.
- Nevertheless, they are welcome inhabitants of the garden, as they will
feed on many insect pests and in turn act as prey for larger animal visitors.
Script:
Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
|
Broad-palmed
Frog 
Roth's Tree
Frog
