FROGS ARE AMPHIBIANS

Frogs belong to a group of animals called amphibians. (am-fib-ee-anz).  Amphibian means two-lives.  Frogs begin their lives in the water as eggs and then tadpoles and when they are fully developed they live on land.  Scientists believe that there are more than 4,000 different kinds of amphibians on Earth.  Toads, newts, salamanders and caecilians (blind worms) are also members of the amphibian group.

Frogs are cold-blooded which means that their bodies are the same temperature as the air or water around them.  When they are cold they will lay in the sun to warm up and when they get too warm they will go into the water to cool their bodies off.

Scientists have found frogs fossils that date back to the Jurassic period over 140 million years ago.

Frogs are found all over the world, and in every climate, except Antarctica. They can be found near any, and every, body of fresh water but prefer ponds, lakes, and marshes, because the water doesn’t move very fast.  Frogs cannot live in the sea or any salt water.

Green Frog
photo by Leanne

taken at Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada

< PREV       NEXT >