Page 35 - Amphibian

Bi­lobed vocal sac of male frog – sacs
can also be single or paired Frog calling
underwater

THE TROUBLE WITH ADVERTISING
The huge, vocal sac of the tungara Male or female
frog can inflate to about the same tungara frogs
size as its body. A common species from beat mucus
Central and South America, the tungara frog gets and water to
its name from its call – a loud “tung” build a foam
whine followed by a sharp “ara, ara.” nest to protect
However, for any male frogs (females rarely and surround
call), advertising their presence may have its the egg clutch
disadvantages, such as attracting predators
as well as mates. Tungara frogs are
sometimes eaten by certain bats
(pp. 58–59), which home in on
the frog’s call.

Female
Male

Male tungara frog

A TIGHT HOLD
This male European common frog is grasping his
female tightly under her arms, pressing his hands
against her chest – a common form of amplexus, or
mating embrace. In other species, males may hold
the female around the waist – in front of the back
legs – or even around the head.
Nuptial
pad
Male and female European
common frogs in amplexus
– in water

THUMB PADS
Many male frogs and
toads have nuptial pads
– patches of roughened skin on
the thumbs to help hold onto a
slippery female during mating.

SLEEPING PARTNER
When the female red-eyed tree
frog nears a calling male, he
climbs on her back, and she
carries him to a spawning site.