1. Frogs have to close their eyes to swallow.
When a frog wants to swallow something, it has to close its eyes. This action is necessary because the muscles controlling the movement of the lower jaw sit behind the eye sockets. So, when the frog wants to move its lower jaw down, it first has to close its eyes.
2. A frog’s eyes are sometimes in its mouth.
When a frog swallows, its eyes roll back and down into its mouth. This eye motion happens because the bones in the frog’s skull are not fused together, which allows for more movement. Additionally, the muscles that control a frog’s unique eyes are attached to the jawbone, so when the jaw moves, the eyes move with it.
3. Frogs don’t have rib cages.
When you carefully hold a frog, you might notice that its body is rather squishy. This squishiness is because, though frogs are vertebrates (an animal with a backbone), they don’t have rib cages. Instead, their bodies are mostly soft and flexible. This flexibility allows frogs to squeeze into small spaces and helps them swim quickly through the water.
4. Most frogs can jump 20 times their body length.
Frogs are excellent jumpers because of their long, muscular legs. Their powerful leaps help frogs escape predators and catch prey. Some frog species can even jump above 10 feet (3 meters)! This remarkable ability is due to the frogs’ strong leg muscles and flexible joints.
5. Frogs breathe through their skin.
Frogs can breathe through their skin because of the thin layer of mucus that covers them. This mucus helps keep the frog’s skin moist and protects it from bacteria and other harmful organisms.
6. Some frogs change color.
Frogs that change color do so for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is camouflage. For example, a gray tree frog will change its color to match the bark of a tree if it wants to avoid being seen by predators. Some frogs also change color to regulate their body temperature.
7. Frogs live on every continent except Antarctica.
Frogs adapt to a wide variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to deserts. Frogs can live in different habitats on nearly all continents because they can breathe through their skin and lungs. This adaptability allows them to live in areas where there is very little water.
8. Many frog species are critically endangered.
The decline of frogs around the world is a cause for concern. Frogs are indicators of environmental health, and their declining numbers signify something is wrong. There are multiple reasons for frog population decline, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
9. Frogs have been on Earth since the age of dinosaurs.
Frogs are one of the most ancient groups of animals on Earth. Frogs first appeared on our planet about 250 million years ago. They were among the many animals that evolved during the Mesozoic Era, often called the Age of Dinosaurs.
10. Some frogs spend part of their lives frozen solid.
Wood frogs survive in frozen bodies for weeks at a time. These frogs live in cold climates and are active during the spring and summer months when it is warm. During the autumn, the wood frog‘s body freezes solid. The frog’s heartbeat stops, and its breathing ceases.
