Page 34 - Amphibian

Mating embraces

Frogs and toads live in an extraordinarily wide range

FROGGY WOULD A-WOOING GO of habitats, but whatever the nature of their home area –
Mr. Frog is trying to show what a on land, in water, in trees, or underground – they have to
fine frog he is. Male frogs also have
to prove their fitness to females – find a suitable partner and the right conditions for egg
by the loudness of their calls.
laying (pp. 36–37). Meeting, courting, and mating are
the three necessary steps before egg laying can
take place. In most species, the males have a
distinctive mating call, which attracts females
of the same species, but it may also attract
predators who are always interested in
large gatherings of their favorite food.
Courtship behavior helps to identify the
partner as a member of the same
species. Once a suitable spawning
ground has been found, then egg FROG FASTENING
laying can begin. Amplexus – the Frogs and toads
mating embrace – places the male in are popular
subjects for all
the right position for fertilizing the kinds of designs,
like this 19th-
female’s eggs. Fertilization usually century Japanese
happens as the eggs are laid. ivory netsuke,
used as a
kimono fastening.

SINGING AND FIGHTING
Many male frogs, like the strawberry Male grasping female
poison-dart frogs of Central America, under her front legs
call and defend their territory – this is
known as “lekking.” The male calls from
a vantage point (top) and will wrestle
with any intruders (above).
TOAD HUG
Eurasian common toads often begin
their amplexus, or mating embrace,
out of water; the larger female
then carries the smaller male to
the breeding pond. Egg laying
and fertilization are delayed until
they are in the water.

Male
and female
Eurasian
common toads
in amplexus –
on land

STUCK ON YOU
This South African rain frog is not yet “glued” onto
his larger female partner – when he is, his hands will be
turned palms outward. The size difference and the sticky
form of amplexus prevents the male from being dislodged
in the underground tunnels where the female lays her eggs.

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