According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) there are currently 6455 species of frogs known to science. This is an incredible figure considering that just a few decades ago only about 3000 species were known. The jump in numbers is largely due to the discovery of a large number of new species in the tropics where the majority of frogs live.
The IUCN Red List is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of a given species. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. The IUCN Red List is a barometer of the health of the world’s biodiversity. It is the world’s most authoritative and comprehensive inventory of the status of Earth’s species.
The IUCN Red List currently contains more than 96500 species of which almost 29000 are threatened with extinction. This is an appalling figure but it is important to remember that the IUCN Red List is not just a list of species that are already extinct. It is a dynamic list that changes as species are discovered assessed and re-assessed. As new information becomes available species are moved up or down the list.
The IUCN Red List is widely recognized as the most authoritative and comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. The IUCN Red List is a barometer of the health of the world’s biodiversity.
How many species of frogs are there in the world?
There are an estimated 6300 species of frogs alive in the world today.
How many of those species are considered to be ‘true frogs’?
About 90% of frog species are considered to be ‘true frogs’.
Where do most frog species live?
The majority of frog species reside in tropical regions.
How many different families of frogs are there?
There are 26 different families of frogs.
How many legs do frogs have?
All frogs have four legs.
How long do most frogs live?
The average lifespan of a frog is between 3 and 12 years.
What do frogs eat?
Frogs are carnivores and typically eat insects worms and other small animals.
How do frogs catch their prey?
Frogs use their long sticky tongues to catch their prey.
Do all frogs have tongues?
No not all frogs have tongues.
Some species of frog have lost the ability to produce tongues over the course of their evolution.
How do frogs typically breathe?
Most frogs breathe through their nostrils and absorb oxygen through their skin.
Can all frogs absorb oxygen through their skin?
No not all frogs can absorb oxygen through their skin.
This ability is most common in frogs that live in water.
Do all frogs live in water?
No not all frogs live in water.
Some species of frog are completely terrestrial and live their entire lives on land.
How do frogs lay their eggs?
Most frogs lay their eggs in water.
How many eggs do frogs typically lay?
The number of eggs a frog can lay at one time varies by species but can range from a few dozen to a few thousand.
How do tadpoles turn into frogs?
Tadpoles undergo a process of metamorphosis in which they transform from a larval stage into an adult stage.
This process typically takes between 4 and 16 weeks.
