Page 57 - Amphibian

GONE
The South African spotted 6Only
shovel-nosed frog the head is
showing.
The frog
has gained a
major advantage
by its activity – it is
well concealed and
comfortable. It
can reduce its
water loss and
even take up
water through its
skin via contact with
damp soil and leaves.
By staying still, it will not
lose weight by burning
energy chasing food. All it has
to do now is wait for its prey
to walk by.
HEAD FIRST ABOUT TO GO
The spotted shovel-nosed frog from South 5The legs and back half of
Africa is a head first burrower with a the body are now hidden.
difference – it actually uses its head, or The wriggling
rather its snout, for burrowing. The body movements
is bent forward, head down, and the back continue; the
legs held straight, pushing the frog’s snout body is rotated,
forward into the soil. Digging is done by pushing it
raising and lowering the snout, scraping down into
soil away with its powerful hands. Other the leaf litter.
head first burrowers, like midwife toads
(pp. 36–37) and mole frogs (pp. 44–45),
use only their hands and feet.

Only the
frog’s head
is visible

55