Facts about Frogs

Frogs have been around for the last 190 million without evolving due to their adapting capabilities. The prehistoric predecessor to frogs was the Ichthyostegay, also known as the ‘four legged fish’. Frogs were the earliest known amphibians known to be found in East Greenland. As amphibians, frogs immutably enjoyed the best of both worlds –land
and sea. 1 They are characterized by being hairless, minus tails and mostly lay their eggs in water.
1. Frogs are found in all countries having freshwater. Though they thrive best in warm, moist climates they are found in deserts and cold regions including the Arctic. The only region frogs are not found is the Antarctica.
2. The Australian water-holding frog survives seven years without rain in the desert. It survives by burrowing underground and forming a protective cocoon made from its own shedding skin.
3. Wood frogs from the Arctic use the glucose in its blood as antifreeze in protecting its organs from the cold. The rest of its body will be frozen but its organs are protected.
4. Frogs have the habit of pulling its eyes down to the roof of its mouth to aid in pushing the food down its throat.
5. Frogs are the first land animals that possessed vocal chords. The frog sounds that can be heard from miles away are due to the vocal sacs filled with air that resonates sound.
6. The eating of animals which live on land and water (amphibians) including frogs is forbidden by Judaism and Islam.3
7. Frog meat tastes similar to chicken meat accounting for its popularity. It is considered a delicacy in most countries. In the United States, the American bullfrogs are popular whereas in French and East Asian cuisines, frogs are a connoisseur’s delight.
8. The consumption of frogs worldwide has put a strain on the growth of the frog population. The continued hunting of wild frogs in India and Indonesia has had ecological implications on the environment. Frogs eat unwanted predators including insects which are a boon to the agricultural sector. The absence of these natural insects’ busters impacted the quality of the agricultural produce.5
9. Frog farming, which was a solution to prevent the diminishing growth of wild frogs, has had reverse negative effects including farmed frogs escaping and introducing new diseases amongst the wild population and turning into a invasive species.
10.Recommendations to ensure the sustained growth of frogs include monitoring the wild frog population, restriction of commercial farming to native species and setting
export quotas.