Tree frog
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
| Tree frog |
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| Scientific Classification |
| Genera |
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Subfamily: Pelodryadinae (Austro-Papuan tree frogs) Subfamily: Phyllomedusinae (Leaf frogs) Subfamily: Hemiphractinae Subfamily: Hylinae
Subfamily: Rhacophorinae (Old World tree frogs) Subfamily: Buergeriinae |
Tree frogs belong to the amphibian family Hylidae. This large family, ranging from North America to as far as Asia, has a number of different species, varying from the Poison Dart Frog to the Waxy Tree Frog.
These frogs were created by God on the sixth day of creation - "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.' And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." [1]
Contents |
Anatomy
Though there are many different types of tree frogs throughout the world, they have many qualities that bring them together to form one family. The most well-known feature of the tree frog's appearance is the round, sticky toe pads found on the ends of their feet which enable them to stick to the surfaces of trees and other plants. Another common feature of these frogs is the black stripe that extends through their eye and down to their shoulder. Colors on tree frogs vary within the species. For example, tree frogs which live mainly in the water or on land are typically more of a dark shade of green, whereas the ones that live on both land and in water are a lighter green. However, many types of tree frogs have been known to change the color of their covering from a brown to a green color within minutes. This is mainly due to the change in environment and temperature. Still, the most indicating feature of these frogs is the y or v shape that forms between their eyes.
The male tree frogs are often smaller in size than the females which are able to grow up to 10 centimeters in length. Another feature that clearly separates the male from the female is the dark skin under covering its throat. The variation in color of this area is mainly caused by the croaking it does when giving a mating call. [2]
Reproduction
Mating often takes place during the most wet and rainy months of the year. [3] Males will start off this process of reproduction by giving mating calls to the females while attempting to protect their area in the pond from other males. It has been recorded that this croaking sound can be heard from over a mile away from the frog. A touch from a female will catch the male's full attention and begin the process.
Reproduction in tree frogs happens externally, meaning that the eggs are fertilized outside of the mother's body. Eggs which are produced often come out in a jelly-like form. The eggs are generally laid between March and May in pond areas which are free of their most common predators - the salamander and bullfrog. After the eggs are laid, the male fertilizes them. Depending upon the temperature of the water in which they were laid in, three to four weeks may pass before these eggs even hatch and become tadpoles, the first stage of its life. [4]
Tadpoles
Tadpoles are the first stage of life for all types of frogs. Their diet consists mainly of algae and plants. Predators of tree frog tadpoles include water bugs and salamanders. Tadpoles have almost no similar features to that of the frog which they will become as an adult. To start out, they have no legs, but instead have a tail. They breathe by use of gills. Eventually, they will grow back legs and lose their tail. During this time, the frog will also develop lungs. The growth of front legs will follow and, as the legs keep growing, the tadpole will turn into a "froglet." The last step in the complete metamorphosis into its adult form is the transformation of its mouth. The mouth changes from it's original small size to large in order to fit the face of its new body. These young frogs can be as tiny as 1.5 centimeters in length. [5]
Ecology
Tree frogs inhabit most rainy areas with many trees. They are cold blooded animals, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature. To maintain their body heat, they must change the location of their environment and in some cases, either hibernate or estivate. Hibernation occurs during the cold winter months when the frog becomes too cold and has to become inactive and buries itself in order to receive more energy. Estivation happens during the warm summer months. At this time, the frog will, once again, become inactive to restore energy while trying to cool down to its normal body temperature. [6]
Most types of tree frogs are active during the night when they search for their main source of food - insects. The largest threats to these tree frogs are their preditors which include raccoons, birds, and even other types of frogs.
Males are the most territorial of the tree frogs, especially in mating season. This is because, as they are waiting for a mate to come, they must protect their part of the pond from other territory hungry males.
Gallery
 Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas). Genus Agalychnis |
 Orange Tree Frog |
 Orange-thighed Frog (Litoria xanthomera). Genus Litoria |
 Tree Frog - (Borneo) Sarawak, Malaysia |
 Tree Frog - Sodwana, South Africa |
 male tree frog |
Related References
- Tree Frog Wikipedia
- Tree Frog Information Nature Park
- Tree Frog MSN Encarta
- Frogs And Toads World Almanac For Kids
