Frogs are amphibians, meaning they spend part of their lives in the water and part on land. In the spring, frogs head to their breeding sites, and it’s common to see frogs ‘piggybacking’ on other frogs. Frogs ride on each other backs to mate in an embrace called ‘amplexus’. In almost all frog and toad … Read more
When the winter ends and warmer spring temperatures arrive, amphibians emerge from hibernation and migrate to breeding sites to lay their eggs. Most frogs and toads will lay their eggs in the water, but many will lay their eggs on land. Amphibian eggs laid in the water can be difficult to tell apart unless you … Read more
Spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) are small, slender tree frogs found throughout much of the eastern part of North America. Like most frogs, spring peepers reproduce by laying eggs. These eggs are laid in shallow, fish-free freshwater bodies and attached to submerged vegetation near the water’s surface. Unlike most frogs which lay their eggs in masses, … Read more
Like most frogs, Gray tree frogs (Dryophytes versicolor), reproduce by laying eggs. These eggs are laid in shallow, fish-free freshwater bodies and attached to submerged vegetation near the water’s surface. Like other frog eggs, Gray tree frog eggs do not have a hard outer shell to protect the developing embryos. Rather, each egg has a … Read more
The majority of tree frog species reproduce by laying eggs. These eggs are typically laid in the water and attached to submerged vegetation near the water surface – or on plants hanging over ponds. Some tree frog species such as the common coqui (Eleutherodactylus coqui) lay their eggs on plants away from water and even … Read more
Many people know that most frogs love to hang around water and are very efficient swimmers. But have you ever wondered if frogs can survive without direct access to water? Most frogs can not survive without direct access to fresh water. Frogs generally require access to water to keep their skin moist, hydrate, lay their … Read more
Frogs and toads have many things in common. They are both amphibians in the order Anura, which means “without a tail” in Ancient Greek. They both lay their eggs in water and their tadpoles look very similar. Frog tadpoles tend to be longer and slimmer than toad tadpoles, which tend to be short and chunky. … Read more
Amphibians have unique skin compared to that of many other vertebrates. They use their skin to breathe, and also to ‘drink’ water. Many frogs feel slimy because their skin is covered in a mucous coating, which helps them keep their skin moist, enabling them to efficiently breathe through their skin. The slime also creates an environment for … Read more
Cuban tree frogs are native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. However, they were introduced to the coast of Florida, as well as parts of Puerto Rico, and several other places around the Americas and are now considered an invasive species in those places. Like most frogs, Cuban treefrogs are obligate carnivores as adults, which means … Read more
American green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea) are small, smooth-skinned frogs found in the central and southeastern United States, from eastern Virginia down to Florida and as far west as Texas. Their coloration varies from grayish-green to dark green to bright green. Many have white, yellow, or sometimes iridescent stripes along each side of the body, with … Read more