What man knows about the frog and its way of life?The monotonous croaking summer evenings, unpresentable appearance (unpleasant to take over), protruding eyes and mosquitoes as their favorite food (at least, as shown in the cartoons) - these are the main association of the word "frog".But I wonder: Frog - the animal or an insect?
Frog: external characteristics
These frogs are the most numerous representatives of the class of amphibians.Different in size (body length of 30 to 250 mm), they are spread all over the world, with the possible exception of Antarctica and Australia.Belonging to the family of tailless amphibians, frogs, there are more than 3500 species that have a common external characteristics.This teeth on the upper jaw, mild knobby skin, swimming webbed hind legs.The head of a frog - with two huge bulging eyes, which are protected by three centuries (the lower, upper and transparent nictitating membrane) and an order of magnitude more mobile than fish.Before the eyes are placed through the nostrils, and equipped with valves that open into the oral cavity.
Frog - the animal or an insect?
This unique structure makes the frog's head silently stalk prey: plunging into the water, the animal puts out his eyes and nostrils, and breathe this way, considering all around, patiently waiting for your potential dinner.Hearing wah is located behind the eyes eardrum.Glass frog with its crystal clear skin is the most striking example by which to study the internal structure of the body of amphibians.Through a completely transparent skin can clearly observe all the innards.Judging from the above description, the question of "frog - an animal or an insect?", We can give a clear and confident answer: of course, the animal! Dimensions amphibians have a wide range.The smallest is the representative of Cuba: its length is 8,5-12 mm.The largest specimen of discharge amphibians - goliath frog, a resident of Cameroon.Weight of the most outstanding caught representative species was 3 kg 660 grams of the total length (with extended legs) 87 cm. Such a large specimen and live love "on a grand scale", preferring the crystal-clear water and a king, as if on a pedestal, sitting on ledgesrocks.
The frog eats
hiding frog - a cunning hunter, a victim who is driving individuals: spiders, insects, worms, slugs and fish fry.Having defined the future of food, to move into view, the frog in the water allows him to come closer and last throws out a sticky tongue to which an insect stick.Frog able to swallow large prey, placing it in the mouth with the help of the forelimbs.There are cases when the victims are swallows drank water on the fly.What eats a frog?That runs, flies, crawling past her, that is moved;immovable object at the tailless amphibians simply do not cause interest.
family of tailless amphibians found most often on the waterfront and in the warmer months.Movement of the animal so expressive and cutting that once it becomes clear where there were expressions of "floating in the frog" or "jumping like a frog."Making the leap frog sharply straightens the legs;This occurs when the push force throws amphibian forward and upward.The landing takes place on the short front legs.Frog floats as sharply, pushing water from the hind legs, which are located between the toes webbed.If you return once again to clarify the question "Frog - the animal or an insect?", The answer is clear: the animal!
Frogs: How multiply
reproduction in frogs in the spring, after waking from hibernation.The total number of eggs-delayed differently in different species, ranging from 600 to 20,000 eggs.Meals for tadpoles are unicellular algae and protozoa decaying animal and vegetable residues.Frogs reach sexual maturity at 2-4 years of age with an overall life expectancy of 5-6 years.There have been cases when in captivity tailless amphibians have existed for over 10 years.
Life frogs in the nature of a genuine interest because of its unusual.So, most of them left unattended deferred in water or near water reservoir eggs;parental care puzzled smaller proportion of amphibians.For example, male Surinamese Pipa lays eggs on the back of the female, and the male Darwin's Frog saves them in a throat sac from which hatched and grown frogs then chooses the outside.
Features skin of frogs
All frogs thin bare skin covered with mucus, promoting the process of breathing and prevents drying of the skin.Mucus in the frog skin contains substances that protect them from harmful microorganisms.In some species, this substance is poisonous, and even a kind of talisman of frogs from their eating other animals.For climbers and phyllobates living in Central and South America, the best release deadly toxins on the planet.When you are on the land contained in the slime moisture evaporates, causing amphibian loses its large number.It is for this reason that the habitat of the frogs is the most comfortable for them moist area.The life of a frog in nature entertaining;An interesting fact is that reptiles do not drink the water, fill the lack of it amounts through the skin.Among all of this smooth-skinned brethren stands out hairy frog;Males of this species during the breeding season are covered with skin rags resembling hair.A characteristic feature of hairy frog is also the ability to produce in times of danger claws, which, piercing the skin, forming pits on the fingers.
skin is poisonous frogs?
By the way, the skin of poisonous frogs in ancient times served as a major component in the manufacture of poison for arrows;one individual was enough to lubricate 500 units.About poisonous frogs can be seen in the bright, downright gaudy color.So, the poison frog poison dart frogs - the inhabitants of South America - even in an amount of 2 milligrams can kill a person.
Painting is also used to camouflage the animal;a leader in this area is considered mossy frog, which is almost completely merged with the environment, even her eyes against the background of moss barely distinguishable.It is this kind of frog is very popular among fans of exotic wanting to keep it as a pet.Beautiful painting of representatives of the tropics and valued accordingly: the cost of a single individual, who knows how great climb on rocks and tall trees, up to 75 dollars.
Amazing facts about frogs
body temperature similar to that of amphibians ambient temperature.It reported from the following fact: inhabiting Alaska tree frog in winter freezes to the point that turns into a piece of ice.In this frozen state amphibian is not breathing, blood circulation and heart function stops.With the onset of spring thaws the animal in a natural way, gradually returning to normal.Such unique amphibious, capable of carrying a low temperature on the planet, there are only a few species, most members of this class are not able to survive in such conditions.
Frogs have an increased ability to survive;Examples of this have been recorded more than once.In 1835, an Englishman witnessed on the ground with the platform collapsed and split the middle of a block of sandstone, and from its cavity frog jumped out.And there are quite credible reports of walled-in hollow blocks, there are many frogs;This only confirms the unique ability of frogs to survive in extreme conditions.
Can the flying frog?
This amphibian in the process of evolution has learned to fly in such a way to escape from enemies.Characterized flying specimens who can even change the flight path (sometimes reaching 12 meters) long fingers splayed with membranes.Frogs, with the help of a man able to set world records.Thus, in a specially arranged for them to competitions in the long jump, which took place in 1977 in South Africa, frog nicknamed Sandtzhi jumped by 10.3 meters!
like frogs communicate with each other?
communicate with each other frogs going out of the reach of the human ear range through the use of ultrasounds outside the human hearing.This can be explained noisy habitat of amphibians, in which a man accustomed to the low frequencies vary in difficulty.Such features frogs also contributes to the unusual location of the organ of hearing;eardrums are located behind the eyes, inside a special cavity.According to scientists, this arrangement allows the ear frogs overcome water noise inherent in their habitat.The most vociferous frogs afford to cover a radius of several kilometers.From screaming bullfrog, heard for the first time and is associated with the roar of a huge terrible beast, you can embark on their heels without looking back.
