Page 27 - Amphibian

Eye closed
Hump flattens
out midleap

Airborne
Front leg frog shows
pointing streamlined shape
Leg fully downward
stretched

Fleshy IN MID-FLIGHT
thumb As the leap progresses,
the frog’s legs unfold, and its
powerful leg muscles propel the
body forward in an explosive
burst of energy. The frog’s feet
remain on the ground for as long
as possible to give it the greatest
forward thrust. As the frog takes
LEAPING FOR SAFETY off from the ground, its body
Mascarene frogs are experts in straightens, forming a streamlined
“leaping-for-safety.” This frog, in shape, and the hump in its back,
midleap, uses its outstretched arms, seen in a sitting frog, almost
legs, and webbed feet to control its disappears. The frog’s nictitating
flight path and to make sure it lands membrane closes up from the
safely. If possible, these frogs will try bottom of the eye for protection. ON YOUR BIKE
to reach the nearest pond or swamp The frog is airborne. An alternative
and disappear deep into the water; on form of
the way they may make a series of locomotion!
long, consecutive, rapid jumps on dry
land. Their ability to leap is amazing – Left hind leg
a related species holds the world’s pushing
distance record for frog-jumping. It backward
jumped 33.5 ft (10.2 m) in three
consecutive jumps, or 17.5 ft (5.3 m)
in a single jump.
Left front and
hind legs
together
Left front leg
starting to
move forward Green toad
finishes its walk

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE
Left hind leg Some frogs and toads move at a slower pace, but
about to move they have larger home ranges and must travel over
forward greater distances than the more active “leapers.” Slow-
moving amphibians can take a sit-and-wait approach to
catching their food (pp. 18–19) – their prey may be slow-
moving or concentrated in one area, as are ants and
termites. Slow-moving amphibians can defend
themselves against predators by hiding or by producing
Right front leg noxious or poisonous secretions (pp. 16–17), like the
has completed green toad. As the toad continues its walking sequence
its part in the (above), its front and hind legs alternately extend
sequence forward, then push backward, propelling the toad ahead.

Right hind leg
outstretched as Right front leg stretches
frog is running forward in next running step

25 Continued on next page