10 Unique Characteristics of Frogs - Wildlife Informer (2024)

Frogs are well-known amphibians that can be found almost anywhere on the planet, from the tropical rainforest to the Himalayan mountains. There are also over 5,000 species of frogs known, and because of this, the characteristics of frogs will differ depending on their type. Some are small, while others are enormous and bizarre.

In this article, we’ll look at the characteristics that distinguish frogs from other amphibians, regardless of species.

What Is A Characteristic?

Each and every individual, especially animals, are unique due to their individual characteristics. This can be either behavioral or physical in nature.

An animal’s behavior is what they do in response to its environment. But physical traits are inherent, unlike behavioral traits, which can be learned or grown over time. This could include the color of their eyes, skin, and the size they can reach.

10 Characteristics of frogs

1. Protruding eyes

Frogs have protruding eyes located at the top of their heads. This allows them to see in all directions, which is extremely useful for survival in the wild. This feature provides these frogs with a 180-degree view of their surroundings, allowing them to always keep an eye out for what’s approaching them, whether it’s a predator or prey.

They also focus their eyes on a subject by moving their eye lens back and forth, much like a camera lens. Frogs also have a third eyelid that completely covers their eyes, protecting them from substances and allowing them to see underwater.

2. Breathe through their skin

Frogs breathe via their skin, which is another distinctive feature they possess. These amphibians have delicate skin that functions similarly to our lungs.

Their skin has a lot of blood vessels that allow oxygen to diffuse into the skin and let carbon dioxide out. These are then carried by a group of cells that aid in transferring oxygen throughout their bodies.

This explains why these animals constantly require a lot of moisture in their skin. Their skin must always be moist and slimy because they’re much more likely to suffocate if it dries out.

3. Large mouth

The mouth of the frog is large, in proportion to the size of the body of the frog, and very much larger than the mouths of other animals. It’s also incredibly flexible and may be greatly expanded as necessary. Their mouths contain their tongues and teeth, which they use to feed on various prey.

The tongues of frogs are typically long and slender. It has the ability to grab insects and is quite quick, pulling its victim back into its mouth in under a second. Some species are known to lack teeth, while others are known to contain tiny teeth inside their mouths.

4. Strong and long legs

Frogs are amphibians that jump from one location to another rather than walking along the ground. Their hind legs are longer and stronger than their front legs. A few species of frogs, though, have short back legs and can only move a short distance while crawling, walking, or hopping.

They can jump higher and faster thanks to this physical feature, enabling them to flee danger more rapidly. They also have webbed feet that enable them to swim underwater and quickly catch food when necessary.

5. Camouflage

Frogs are incredible creatures that have the ability to blend into their surroundings, which helps them avoid being eaten or hidden from predators. They achieve this by recognizing the colors in their surroundings and searching for one that complements the color of their own skin.

Frogs can match the color of whatever they’re sitting on, which is why they come in such a wide variety of colors. The patterns on their skin hold the key.

Every species of this animal has a distinctive pattern that helps in blending into its surroundings. These patterns are influenced by both environmental and genetic factors.

6. Can possess mild toxins

Well, it turns out that frogs possess mild toxins, just like some amphibians. Each and every frog has granular glands covering its skin that secrete poisons, making them poisonous.

These toxins help protect them from predators by making them feel sick when they’re ingested. In fact, certain frog species are venomous and can cause severe discomfort to their victims. However, this doesn’t prevent most animals from eating frogs, and they’re still among the most consumed creatures in the wild.

7. Sheds skin

Frogs shed their skin as part of their natural biological process. They shed their skin’s outer layer almost every week, making room for new growth. The frog benefits greatly from this process, including the control of microbial growth in their skin, which allows them to become more resistant to skin pathogens than other animals.

These amazing amphibians also eat these dead skins rather than simply leaving them on the ground. These skins are also removed in one piece rather than in several pieces.

8. Active at night

Frogs are nocturnal because they have evolved to hunt at night, when their prey is most active. Nighttime is also when their predators are least likely to be awake and on the lookout for frogs. Aside from these, being nocturnal animals also allow them to avoid the heat of the sun, which can dry out their skin.

9. Excellent night vision

Frogs have excellent night vision, allowing them to hunt effectively in the dark. They use their protruding eyes to hunt and find food at night, but they also use them to keep an eye out for predators and find mates.

They also have the ability to see color even in the dark thanks to their unique rod photoreceptor class, which most animals don’t have.

10. Have distinct calls

Frogs are among the most vocal animals on the planet, and they don’t just make noise for the sake of it. Their calls are part of their mating rituals, which is why different species will have different sounds. This attracts mates of their own species, who can then tell if they’re hearing another frog their size and sounding similar to them.

The right call is critical for frogs, especially during mating season, because it determines whether females accept or reject them as mates.