The world, from the subarctic to the sub-antarctic, is full of frogs. There are around 5,000 species known to science, and hundreds, if not more than a thousand, that have yet to be discovered. Scientists predict that most of the discoveries will occur in the earth’s rain forests, which frogs especially love because they are warm, wet, and full of the types of insects and other small creatures that frogs like to eat.
Unfortunately, due to worldwide environmental conditions, several frog species have gone extinct over the past few decades, and many others have been dwindling.
All frogs are amphibians, which means that, after they hatch from eggs, they begin life as fish-like tadpoles, living in water, and breathing with gills. As they grow, they go through a process called metamorphosis, in which they develop lungs as well as legs. The adult frog is able to move about on land, and no longer has a tail like a tadpole.
Frog species vary greatly in size. Some weigh over a pound and are large enough to eat small birds and rodents. Other species never grow larger than around 10 millimetres (.39 inches).
Frogs are a favourite prey species for all kinds of animals, from birds, such as herons, to crocodiles, raccoons, and fish. Some people eat frogs too—but usually only the meaty legs of some of the larger species. However, some species of frogs are poisonous, and warn away predators with their bright colors.
