Frogs are amphibians and as such their young develop in water. Most frog species lay their eggs in ponds lakes or streams. Some species however lay their eggs on land near water or even in damp areas far from water.
The female frog usually lays a large number of eggs sometimes as many as several thousand at a time. The eggs are usually laid in a long string or in a clump. They are often attached to aquatic plants or floating debris.
Once the eggs are laid the male frog fertilizes them by releasing sperm over them. The eggs then hatch into tadpoles or in some cases young frogs.
Tadpoles are aquatic and have gills for breathing underwater. They also have tails and swim by wiggling their tails from side to side. As they grow they begin to develop legs. They lose their tails and develop lungs so that they can breathe air. At this point they leave the water and live on land as frogs.
The entire process from egg to adult frog can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the species.
How do frogs mate?
Frogs mate by positioning themselves back-to-back and joining the tips of their cloacas which are the openings of their digestive and reproductive tracts.
How does fertilization occur?
Sperm that is stored in the male’s cloaca is transferred to the female’s cloaca and then enters her body.
How long does it take for eggs to be laid?
After mating it takes female frogs approximately 24 to 48 hours to lay their eggs.
Where are the eggs laid?
Frogs lay their eggs in water either in ponds or streams.
How many eggs are laid at a time?
A typical frog will lay anywhere from 500 to 1500 eggs at a time.
What is the purpose of the jelly-like substance that surrounds the eggs?
The jelly-like substance is called the egg mass and it protects the eggs from predators and harsh weather conditions.
How long does it take for the eggs to hatch?
The eggs hatch anywhere from 3 to 30 days after they are laid depending on the species of frog.
What do the tadpoles look like when they first hatch?
When they first hatch tadpoles are tiny and have a tail and gills.
They are completely aquatic and cannot survive on land.
What do tadpoles eat?
Tadpoles are vegetarians and eat mostly algae and aquatic plants.
How long does it take for tadpoles to transform into frogs?
The transformation from tadpole to frog a process called metamorphosis takes anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks.
What triggers the transformation from tadpole to frog?
The transformation is triggered by a change in the tadpole’s diet; they begin to eat insects instead of plants.
What happens to the tadpole’s tail during metamorphosis?
The tadpole’s tail shrinks and is absorbed into the body.
The hind legs begin to grow and the gills are replaced by lungs.
What is the purpose of the metamorphosis?
The metamorphosis allows the tadpole to survive on land as an adult frog.
How long do frogs live?
Frogs typically live anywhere from 3 to 20 years depending on the species.
Do all frogs have the same life cycle?
No not all frogs have the same life cycle.
Some species of frog lay their eggs on land and the tadpoles develop directly into frogs without going through an aquatic stage.
