Page 70 - Fish and Amphibians (Britannica Illustrated Science Library)

66 AMPHIBIANS FISH AND AMPHIBIANS 67

Jumping Athletes 2 HOW IT FEEDS AT THE TOP
The white-lipped tree frog
1 Adhesion (Litoria infrafrenata) has a
maximum length of 3.9 inches
The insect
mphibians of the order Anura are known for their ability to jump high Feeding EYES adheres to the tip (10 cm) and is adapted for
and far. This group includes frogs and toads, and their anatomy helps Amphibians from the order During the jump of the tongue, mountain climbing, jumping,
the eyes remain
A them to jump. Frogs use their jumping ability to escape from their many Anura have a varied diet. They shut. which is sticky. and moving on flat areas. The
feed on insects and small pads on the tip of each finger
predators; they can jump a distance equivalent to 10 to 44 times their body invertebrates such as and toe allow it to adhere to
length. When they feel threatened, they can choose to jump into the nearest earthworms, snails, many surfaces.
crustaceans, and spiders.
body of water, where they hide, or they can jump erratically on land to confuse Tadpoles are herbivores.
their attacker. VISIBLE
The toe has a sticky
HUMP
mucous coating.
WHITE-LIPPED
The Frog STRETCHED-OUT TREE FROG
Its large eyes help it to locate 1 BODY Insects found on Litoria infrafrenata
prey easily. The eyes have lids plants are the favorite
that protect them from particles in Jumping meal of frogs.
the air or help them see underwater. No escape Spinal column
The frog's smooth skin has glands Before the jump begins, the frog 2 The tongue folds Its small number of
that moisten it or that secrete toxic tenses the muscles of its hind legs vertebrae give it elasticity
and presses its feet against back into the mouth, in the act of jumping.
or irritating substances. The frog
the ground. As the frog carrying the
breathes through its lungs and skin. insect with it.
It has a large tympanum, or jumps, the legs extend
eardrum, visible on each side of the to propel the body
head and a wide mouth that may or forward.
may not have teeth.
FOREFEET
have four fingers and are not as
strong as the hind feet.

EDIBLE FROG 3 9 VERTEBRAE
Rana esculenta Aside from these, it has
a urostyle—a cylindrical
LEG MUSCLES is found in Europe and Leg
tense to carry out the jump. also in the United States, Fall bone that results from Adapted for
Canada, and Asia. the fusion of vertebrae. jumping and
At this moment, when the frog swimming
extends its hind legs, it not only
reduces air resistance but also
helps with the entry into the water.
HIND FEET The Toad Fall
have five Each hind leg 17.5 feet DIVE
webbed toes. Having characteristics similar to those extends like an The body curves
of frogs, toads can be distinguished by arrow.
only a few features. Generally, toads are (5.35 m) upward when it
larger, less stylized, and better adapted to enters the water.
living on land. Toads' skin is thicker than that
of frogs to prevent drying, and toads are THE JUMP THE DISTANCE JUMPED
normally covered with warts. The toad's jump covers less distance because BY AN AFRICAN FROG
of its greater weight and because its legs are
not as flexible as those of the frog.

The hind It closes its It lands
legs boost eyes for with its
the jump. protection. forelimbs.

It rises in the
ASIAN air a few inches.
TREE FROG
Pedostibes AT REST DRIVE FULL JUMP LANDING
tuberculosus