Zoo Educator What is the classic sign of spring? Is it the new growth of trees or the blooming of flowers? Is it the longer days and the warmer nights? Or could it be the calls of frogs and toads echoing through the air? World Frog Day is celebrated annually on March 20th and today I hope to share with you why you should care about and respect these wonderful creatures.
What are Frogs and Toads?
Frogs and Toads are amphibians in the order Anura, often referred to as the Anurans. They are characterized by their biphasic, or two part lifecycle, where they start as juvenile tadpoles in the water, and move to land as an adult. Frogs and toads breathe via cutaneous respiration, or through their skin, and therefore they have a moist skin for protection. You can find frogs and toads in wetlands, or areas with water at or near the surface some of most of the year.
Why are they important?
Anurans are an indicator species of ecosystem health. Since they are highly susceptible to pollution, low levels of pollutants could cause a population decrease, and with early detection, one can work to protect an ecosystem. They also have a range of medicinal uses, such as exploring organ thawing in wood frogs, and anesthetics in assorted toad species. Frogs and toads also help to control populations of insects, which are potential vectors for pathogens.
What species can we find in Connecticut?
There are 12 species found in Connecticut! Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has partnered with the Yale Peabody Museum and the Maritime Aquarium to monitor these species in the FrogWatch USA program.
To learn more about the species in Connecticut check out:
https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/uploads/1/2/4/2/124214186/frogs_of_ct_phenology__pneumonics.pdf
Fast Facts!
A full chorus of frog calls can be louder than a rock concert!
Frogs and toads have a fused radius and ulna, and a fused tibia and fibula to aid them in jumping.
You cannot get warts from a toad~ it is a myth!
Poison Dart Frogs are poisonous due to their diet! Without their native diet, they are no longer poisonous.
The Wood Frog will freeze and thaw each winter with limited to no effects on their health.
