Did you know that the amphibians were the first vertebrates to conquer both the water and the land?
They represent the transition from fish to reptile and has dominated these both words ever since. There are over 8.700 species of amphibians and at LEAST one is discovered every year!
There are three amphibian groups: Anura (frogs), Caudata (salamanders and newts) and Gymnophiona (caecillians).
Frogs are spread across almost every part of the Earth and there are a vast variety of them - pond frogs, tree frogs, toads etc. All has adapted according to their habitat, even defying the time remaining almost so well preserved from the very edge of land life.
A PRE ADULT FROG IS CALLED A METAMORPH - IT STILL HAS IT'S TAIL ATTACHED.
Frogs spawn as tadpoles and are fully aquatic animals, breathing through gills. As they grow up, the lungs begins to evolve and thus, they can breath air. Their tail is going to be absorbed by the body due to their evolution as the legs are mainly used for propulsion in water as well as on land - even though there are species that can't jump like some toads and rain frogs.
WHY ARE FROGS SO IMPORTANT?
Good question! You see, they are a key to the ecosystem as they feed upon mosquitos which can carry diseases and also, frogs are even food for lots of other bigger animals like birds, snakes and even fish. All animals are interconnected and thus, all of them are important!
ⓒ: ANA TEODORA Dinu - 2024
Some other frogs developed special defence mechanism like dart frogs. And others copied a perfect skin pigmentation like the poisonous ones but without any poison glands, just like this Dendrobates azureiventris, which clearly seems dangerous but it's just it's ace in the sleeve.