Frogs

Among the amphibians, one of the best known animals in this animal kingdom is the frog. Jumping, brightly colored and wet, it is located almost everywhere on the planet.

Some have them as pets, although they are a difficult species to keep in captivity due to the needs they require. Know the frog Features, where they live, what they eat and how they reproduce.

Frog Characteristics

The frog is an amphibian of the genus Anurans. Depending on the species, they can reach one size or another, although it is normal that they do not measure more than 8-30 centimeters. They weigh between 20 and 80 grams and are almost always calm and docile, although some specimens can be aggressive.

In general, the skin is usually smooth and moist thanks to the secretions that keep it wet (there are some with rough skin). They have longer hind limbs than the front ones that they use to make big jumps. As for the front legs, the design on their legs makes a frog a very good swimmer.

Big bulging eyes, characterized by have a cleft tongue with which it reaches the food since it has a sticky coating that prevents the other animal from escaping.

The usual color of a frog is green, but there are also greys, browns, yellows, reds... They are both diurnal and nocturnal animals, but they do not like to be touched or disturbed, hence they spend the day hidden except when it rains, because they like water.

The life expectancy of a frog in its natural habitat is about 10 years.. However, in captivity it is much older, between 15 and 30 years.

where do frogs live

The frog is an amphibian that has spread throughout the planet, in such a way that, except in the polar zone of the Earth, in Australia, Madagascar and southern Africa, it is found on the rest of the continents. This is due to its ideal habitat is made up of moisture; therefore, areas such as swamps, jungles, water areas, tropical forests, etc. They are the ideal places for this animal.

Because at the beginning of their life they need to be in the water, although as adults it is no longer so precise, it is an essential element to reproduce. Inside the water, they are very agile and fast swimming, as well as intrepid jumpers.

types of frogs

Within the Ranidae family, there is the frog genus, where there are a total of 49 species. However, these 49 are considered the "true frogs", unlike the rest of the other families that include the word "frog" and are not exactly the same as these.

The best known are the Asian and Iberian frogs, the Japanese frog, the vermilion frog, the country frog, the Chinese brown frog, the yellow-legged frog...

frog care

Having a frog as a pet is not common. Nor easy either. They are very delicate amphibians that do not adapt well to being in captivity., especially if they are not provided with the necessary care. For this reason, in order for it to live and develop properly, you have to pay attention to certain details.

terrarium for frogs

The frog terrarium It must be characterized by being a closed area, of at least 40x40x60cm (it will depend on the species of frog or if it is only one or several). This room must be taller than it is wide and long, and if it is the final one (ie, if the frog is young and still has to grow, it is better to leave it in its final place).

The reason the terrarium needs to be closed is not just so the frog doesn't jump out, but because This is how the temperature is preserved, which must be between 26-27 degrees during the day, 20 at night; and the humidity. These are two very important aspects so that your health is not put at risk.

You must have a first layer of substrate to form the soil, since the frog will almost always be on that surface. One of the best may be gravel stones, which are also easy to clean. You can also opt for sand, potting soil, cedar shavings... Make sure it is about three centimeters thick and spray water often to maintain moisture.

In addition to the above, it is necessary to fill it with vegetation, artificial plants being the best choice since they do not need extra care. The function of the plants will be to serve as a refuge or to help the frog to climb to other places.

Finally, you need to add a container of water located in an area where you can enter and exit freely and that is deep (not valid with a water dish).

As for controlling the lighting and temperature of the terrarium, it is best to opt for full-spectrum fluorescent tubes, keeping them on for 12 hours. The temperature can be controlled through a heating mat below or through heating stones or other types of systems.

frog feeding

A frog is a carnivorous animal It feeds mainly on insects: flies, mosquitoes, ants, slugs, earthworms, etc. Only in the tadpole state is it herbivorous, but for a few weeks.

The frog is also capable of practicing cannibalism, either with another frog or even with the eggs, larvae and tadpoles of other specimens.

In captivity, the frog requires daily fresh food based on its diet in the wild. That is why it is difficult to keep this animal as a pet. In addition, a supply of vitamin preparations is necessary that make up for the lack of nutrients that it would have in a life in its natural habitat.

reproduction of frogs

The frog is one of the amphibians that requires an aquatic environment for reproduction. If there is not, it is capable of not reproducing. When the habitat is favourable, and there is water, the males enter it to claim their territory while emitting vocalizations to call the female.

If one of them accepts it, it will enter the water and the male will climb on top to carry out the "amplexus", that is, the female will release the eggs, all of them tied together with a string and a gelatinous mass, and the male will fertilize them.

A frog is capable of laying between 3.000 and 20.000 eggs. in mating, and can reproduce several times a year.

The eggs will remain in the water for about 10 days, during which time they will hatch and the larvae will hatch, weighing 6 mg and without a mouth or tail, so they feed on the remains of the egg and the jelly that is there. As the days go by, they develop until they become tadpoles, weighing 1 gram and with gills and tails. At that time they can already eat, especially microorganisms or algae.

When they gain more weight, tadpoles begin to develop lungs and limbs. The eardrums, eyelids and tongue also appear. It is at that moment when they leave the water and breathe through their lungs. They still have a tail, but they lose it after a few weeks when the metamorphosis reaches its last phase, where they can already be considered frogs.