Page 61 - Amphibian

A SECOND SKIN
Like other amphibians,
the African dwarf clawed Wrinkled
toad – a relative of the Surinam skin
toad and the African clawed toad starting to
(pp. 22–23) – sheds its skin lift off and
every five to seven days. This shed
action may get rid of parasites
attached to the toad’s skin.

MANY ENEMIES
As shown in this print by naturalist artist John
James Audubon (1785–1851), many water birds,
like these black-crowned night herons,
eat vast numbers of frogs. Other
Webbed feet amphibian predators include DOOM
make the clawed spiders and large insects, as In this fable by
frog a powerful well as snakes, Aesop (620–560 b.c), a
swimmer mammals, and mischievous frog ties a
large frogs. mouse to his foot. When the
frog dives into a pool, the
mouse drowns. A passing
hawk eats both of them –
the frog becomes a
victim of his
own prank.

INDOOR FROG
Many frog species share
human homes, especially
bathrooms, like this
tree frog from
Southeast Asia.

BEST OF FRIENDS
In western Europe, natterjack
and midwife toads (left and center
in burrow) often share the same
home. They may share the same
burrow for their whole lives. Many
other animals, like newts (right in
burrow), also take advantage of the
safe retreat of a ready-made
burrow, with its food
supply of earthworms,
spiders, and beetles. The
burrows may be up to 26 ft (8 m)
long, with a shallow entrance 6–10 in
(15–25 cm) below ground.

TOAD AND FRIENDS
Frogs are popular
figures on stamps.
Here are Mr. Toad and
his friends, Mole, Rat,
and Badger, from the
classic children’s tale,
Wind in the Willows, by
Scottish-born Kenneth
Grahame (1859–1932).