Did you know that about ten percent of American households include pet frogs? These guys aren’t the most popular animal, but they’re actually quite cute and fascinating. A Lexington, KY vet lists some things you may not have known about frogs below.

History

Frogs have been around for quite some time. In fact, evidence suggests that they have been around for over 200 million years, which means they were hopping around with dinosaurs. Frogs are also thought to have been the first animal to develop vocal cords. They’ve kept up their singing practice. Some of these guys are quite loud, and can be heard up to a mile away.

Frogs Of All Sizes

The biggest frog would be the Goliath frog. This guy can weigh as much as 7 pounds, and can get to be 15 inches long. On the other end of the scale, there are also some very tiny frogs. The Cuban tree toad, for example, is only about a half inch long!

Toad Or Frog

Speaking of toads, many people get confused about the difference between frogs and toads. It’s mostly a matter of appearance: toads have stubbier back legs, and their skin tends to be warty and dry.

Hopping Family Tree

Kermit’s family tree is actually quite large. There are over 6, 000 types of frogs on the planet, with new ones still being discovered. A curious recent addition is the Synapturanus danta, a chocolate-colored burrowing frog from the Peruvian Amazon with a long, un-froglike snoot.

Night Peepers

Many frogs, including the ones often called ‘peepers’, are nocturnal. These guys see very well at night, thanks to those bulgy eyes!
An Eye For Food
Actually, frog eyes help with digestion. When frogs swallow, they push their eyes down to help move the food along.

Coloring

Many frogs have coloring that helps them blend into their environments. However, some have gone the opposite route, and deliberately stand out. Several poisonous frogs have taken to wearing bright colors to warn off predators. There are also a few nonpoisonous copycats, such as the Fort Randolph robber frog.

Hardy

Frogs can live in a variety of climates. For instance, the wood frog can live north of the Arctic Circle, while the Australian water-holding frog is a desert dweller.

Do you have questions about frog care? Contact us, your Lexington, KY veterinary clinic. We’re hoppy to help!