Protecting the Prince
Here’s some simple advice: Always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously. And beware of advice from experts, pigs and members of Parliament. -Kermit the Frog
I missed National Frog Month (APRIL, by the by), but no worries. It doesn’t diminish my excitement (squeal!) when I see these lovelies, and I still spend a ridiculous amount of time snapping them. Like this little guy, who was posing next to his bronzed brethren in a pond fountain….
[Click on photos to enlarge]
Such a look. I giggle every time I look at him….
What beautiful eyes you have, my lovely
Frogs are amphibians, which comes from the Greek meaning “both lives.” Below are a few fun facts on these fascinating creatures, those that live in water and on land.
Frogs continue to be seen as an indicator species, providing scientists with valuable insight into how an ecosystem is functioning. Because they are both predators and prey, many animals are affected by them — giving further insight into the health of the ecosystem. There are over 6,000 species of frogs worldwide. Scientists continue to search for new ones…. Unfortunately, about 120 amphibian species, including frogs, toads and salamanders, have disappeared since 1980. Historically, one species of amphibian would disappear every 250 years. A powerful case for conserving and nurturing their (and our) environments. Our adorable little Southern green tree frogs took up residence in unused and abandoned birdhouses, and I happily accommodated them by adding more (and of course, never using pesticides) — anything to help their dwindling populations.
* ~ * Fun and Fascinating Frogs * ~ *
- Frogs have roamed the Earth for more than 200 million years — at least as long as the dinosaurs.
- They were the first land animals with vocal cords. Male frogs have vocal sacs — pouches of skin that fill with air. They resonate sounds like a megaphone, and some sounds can be heard from a mile away.
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Ida Rentoul Outhwaite: “I Am Kexy, Friend to Fairies”; The Fairy – The Little Green Road to Fairyland, 1922
Toads are frogs. The word toad is usually used for frogs that have warty and dry skin, as well as shorter hind legs.
- The world’s largest frog is the goliath frog of West Africa, which can grow to 15 inches and weigh up to 7 pounds. Think of a newborn human baby….
- The smallest frogs are from Papua New Guinea, measuring in at only 9 mm in length.
- While the life spans of frogs in the wild are unknown, frogs in captivity have been known to live up to 30 years.
- A group of frogs is called an army.
- Most frogs have teeth, although usually only on their upper jaw. The teeth are used to hold prey in place until the frog can swallow it.
- Launched by their long legs, many frogs can leap more than 20 times their body length.
- Frogs blink as they swallow their prey, thereby pushing their eyeballs down on top of the mouth to help push food down their throats.
Ida Rentoul Outhwaite: The Jazz Band, 1921
- A frog completely sheds its skin about once a week — at which point the frog usually eats it.
- The wood frog is the only frog found north of the Arctic Circle, surviving for weeks with 65% of its body frozen. It uses glucose in its blood as a type of antifreeze that concentrates in its vital organs, protecting them from damage.
- The Australian water-holding frog is a desert dweller that can wait up to seven years for rain. It burrows underground and surrounds itself in a cocoon made of its own shed skin.
- One gram of the toxin produced by the skin of the golden poison dart frog could kill 100,000 people.
- The female Surinam toad lays up to 100 eggs, which are then spread over her back. Her skin swells around the eggs, protecting them. After 12-20 weeks, fully formed young toads emerge by pushing out through the membrane covering the toad’s back.
- When Darwin’s frog tadpoles hatch, a male frog swallows them. He keeps the tiny amphibians in his vocal sac for about 60 days, while they grow — coughing them up when they grow as tiny, fully formed frogs.
- The glass frog has translucent skin, so you can see its internal organs, bones, and muscles — even its beating heart and digesting food.
- A frog in Indonesia has no lungs — it breathes entirely through its skin.
In the flesh and in bronze: both so lovely
Save the Frogs!
For more info:
We don’t want frogs to disappear! No! Courtesy of Vancouver Aquarium
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
Great advice from Kermit – I miss him. Wonderful photos of frogs. I don’t normally get to see frogs that size.
Ah, I miss the Muppets and Kermit so much!
These guys were some of the largest I’ve come to see — usually they’re a bit smaller. I think they were just fat and happy in their protected pond! 🙂 But I’m no frog expert, and usually need to do research when I stumble across them, heh.
Great photos and interesting information! I love your first photo. It made me smile, too!
Thanks so very much! That look on his face is just priceless to me… Like eternal patience. 🙂
Frogs along with bats keep the insects in check – that last pic creeps me out! I do not see too many frogs here, but we have a few lizards hanging out and sunning in the back yard 🙂 The lizards are welcome because they keep the insects down too. Happy Hump Day!
Oh ditto, I welcome ALL lizards, spiders, frogs, snakes, bats — all of them! I protect and love every one of ’em, especially living in the South. 🙂 The most frightening bit is the loss of amphibian populations in the recent two decades, though. We have to do something, for sure….
Happy early Friday to you!
Thanks for all the advice, and an important post. I hope many notice and take action, around the world. Love the photos (nice eyes), and the frog & fairy.
Thanks so much! They’re really lovely and amazing critters, aren’t they? I just love their coloring and eyes. So luminescent! But we need them desperately – and the most frightening bit is the loss of amphibian populations in the recent two decades. We have to do something, for sure….
I grew up with large bullfrogs serenading us. The chug-a-rum is quite musical. At least I think so. And in the Sierra’s behind Squaw Valley is a small lake that must have thousands that sing in unison at night, until some four legged critter comes along with frog dinner on its mind. And then there is a silence that is almost profound, given all of the noise the frogs have been making. A few minute later one will start croaking on the lake, and then another until the whole night is once again filled with their chorus. It’s almost magical. Going to sleep is something else. 🙂 –Curt
Ah, you had bullfrogs, and I had pig frogs! They’re as loud as gators — but their noise is continuous. People are annoyed by them, but I actually need to hear them to sleep… I think it’s a Southern thing. Despite being an army brat, I was still born in Central FLA, and I grew up with them, the gators, and the storms. I think I need them, to some degree — soothes the soul! 🙂
Would love to have some bull frogs around here for night music. 🙂
WOW!!! Only, you could come up with such interesting pictures and stories.!!! Thank you ever so much for both. looked and read with full enjoyment! Mari
Thank YOU so very much for your sweet words! 🙂 I was enamored with these guys for the better part of an hour, hee — the simplest things can keep me entertained!
Wonderful photos, information and curious tidbits!! When I think of frogs as indicator species, Lovecraft/Derleth’s ‘A Lurker at the Threshold’ comes to mind as the frogs were the first to cry out their eerie chorus when the ‘Old Ones’ were at the threshold of time and space!!
I visited Steinhatchee, a quaint old Florida town on the west coast during a tropical storm a few years ago. The storm drove us to find a place to stay and we wandered along and found a place that catered to fishermen. Due to the storm people had checked out early and there was vacancy for us. I vividly remember walking out back where the entrance to our room was, into the sodden darkness and being taken aback by such an eerie chorus of frogs. There were many frogs situated in the weeds in shallow pools of water and the sound was truly haunting and mysterious. A bunch of chickens though, as when I approached close to the eerie voices, they all shut up!! Hmm!! Thought of Lovecraft immediately though and the draw was compelling. Guess frog voices in the dark will do that!!
Thanks for an interesting post which makes one appreciate these ‘taken for granted’ amphibian life forms!!
Oh how wonderful, and eerily lovely! I just love your description of Lovecraft/Derleth’s ‘A Lurker at the Threshold’ — now THAT would have been a sad, but beautiful opening. I haven’t read it! And I love hearing them at night too, and then they suddenly stop when you draw near… It truly is eerie.
I think most of us take these little lovelies for granted, until you really appreciate those statistics. “About 120 amphibian species, including frogs, toads and salamanders, have disappeared since 1980. Historically, one species of amphibian would disappear every 250 years.” Sigh.
I do all I can to accommodate my little frogs — they like to live in abandoned birdhouses. 🙂 I can remember living in Hawaii though, and seeing hundreds of them, at once. I wonder how their populations are now faring?
Hawaii did have a problem with the Coqui frogs which while diminutive have oversized voices…and of such high decibel that is was a deterrent to civilized conversation and discouraged tourists. But, even an overrun of species can be an indicator of something amiss in the environment…or simply a case of misgotten transport of animals which become invasive to the resident population. Guam was worried about the Coqui when one or two came in with some plants. They have enough going on with the invasive brown tree snake eating the birds eggs. Islands are such a delicate eco system…as you know better than anyone having grown up on an atoll!!
What a fabulous post and love your frogs pics. So thrilled to have you back!
Aw, thanks lady! 🙂 I’m trying, I’m trying! Hopping to it, heeeee!
Well…you know how I feel about amphibians… Thank you so much for highlighting them… I love the expression on that frog’s face…. Michelle
YES! I absolutely adore our frogs, and amphibians at large, too. That stat is just devastating — I’ve seen a few, but they’re all mind-blowing.
But that first guy, his face and expression just send me to giggles every time I see him. He’ll definitely be one of the banners on the blog, when I have some time!
Reblogged this on Spirit In Action and commented:
Thank you for posting this! I love frogs too.
Thanks so much!! 🙂 Sending all the lovely, luminescent frogs everywhere our love and hope… And thanks for the reblog!
I LOVE this post – it is the BEST! The pictures are fantastic. What are those water plants with the frog? Lovely. The frog and fairy is precious. We’ve had a lot of rain lately, and since we live in a rural neighborhood, the sound of frogs croaking at night is amazing.
Aw, thanks so very much! I spent an…inordinate…amount of time with these froggies. They make me smile! 🙂
I just adore the sound of chirping / croaking frogs at night, having always been near water. I’ve heard it drives some people up the wall, but for me it’s white noise! ALWAYS puts me to sleep!
Frogs make me smile too, and nothing makes me happier than to hear them croaking at night. We live in a rural neighborhood, and the “noise” is incredible after a heavy rain – it is the best! If we listen closely, we can identify several different kinds. Nature’s sounds always make me happy. When we were in Iceland I especially liked the one house we rented, because it was in the middle of a sea bird nesting area. Since it was daylight all night, the birds were flying around and calling. That is truly a lullaby.
An army of newborns!!!!! That I would like to see. Love frogs!
Hee, aren’t they the cutest? I LOVE them…. 🙂
Hi Christina !
Interesting post as always … And your photos are just stunning …
Here in Sweden all amphibians are protected … The only exception from this law is about the Viper … If this snake is found on a building plot …They can be moved to another place … Or in exceptional cases be killed …
// Maria 🙂
Thanks so very much, Maria! Your words are always so kind.
Fascinating — I WISH… well, we NEED… to have similar protections, as you do in Sweden. The decimated numbers are too frightening to see. We need LAWS to help them!
Love the photos, FeyGirl. Frogs rock – and I do believe they are my daughter’s spirit animal. xo
Oh how wonderful! There’s much to say on the frog as a totem — they are truly fascinating, and much-needed critters!
Thanks so very much…. 🙂
Oh joy, oh joy, oh joy!!!!!
My sweet little babies, MIA here so far this year.
We are VERY worried!
I hope it’s the case that a botanist I know, says…. That sometimes the populations move around? Possible? I sure HOPE that’s the case. But judging by these frightening numbers, sigh….
I am so spoiled and used to seeing them on my windows every morning.
But, nothing here for many months.
I feel sick!!!!
That seems especially significant, to me. Per the comment of the same gentleman I was referring to above… “Somebody ought to devote their career to studying amphibians in relation to pollution in FL. Or maybe that persons exists.” WONDERFUL idea, yes?
I miss them more than I can ever say.
loving frogs!!! Wonderful post and photos Fey!
Thanks so very much! I was thoroughly entranced (ALWAYS!) by these adorable guys. 🙂
Wonderful photos, especially the first … lying there just waiting for a kiss to turn into that charming prince. Very informative, i enjoyed reading all the quirky facts. Very sobering though, to read of the loss of so many of the amphibian species.
Thanks so much! I just love that first image, too…. He’s insanely adorable. And just sat there, for the entire time I was hyper-focused on him. 🙂
And you’re absolutely right — they need our help! We really, really need to implement some of the protection laws that other countries have already moved forward with — sigh.
Every creature that includes insects as a major part of its diet is doing the Lord’s work.
We sometimes hear frogs on our walk to the beach – I was able to identify the type (Baja Tree Frog) and found its call on my cell-phone. As we walked by that stream, I played that recorded call – and received a real life answer!
I felt a little bad about playing such a trick on that frog, however. Hope we were forgiven.
HAHAHAAH!!! Oh, you say it just perfectly…. 🙂 Thanks for that guffaw!
That’s so fantastic you were able to mimic the frog — and that you KNEW which one it was! I’m not too knowledgeable on the species, I have to say. What was the app (?) that you used? I have several Audubon apps, but I don’t know if many of the entries provide the sound element.
Frogs are such lovely creatures! Wonderful shots you got of them.
Thank you so very much! I’m always entranced by them — adorable, fascinating, and MUCH needed critters! 🙂
What a fabulous fabulous post with so many great facts I never knew about frogs and wonderful photos (as always!). Plus, as a nature photographer who happens upon these amazing creatures all the time you’ve given me a whole new way to appreciate and admire them.
Thanks so very much! 🙂 It’s amazing, what a ridiculously long time I spent with these guys. There are some wonderful groups out there, trying to spread the word about these wonderful critters…. I hope I included the biggies, in case anyone wishes to explore / research further.
Thanks for all this information, I love frogs
You’re so welcome! There are some fantastic sites / groups out there trying to help these guys, and I hope I included enough info for more research / investigation into them, should you be interested.
Informative and delightful blog. You have my attention. Hugs, Barbara
Thanks so very much for the kind words! I’m desperately trying to return to this wee blog, and comments like yours definitely help! 🙂
I read this when you first posted it, became interested and started following links, and forgot to come back! I do love frogs, and have noticed their absence over the past few years. Honestly, I assume our significant drought had some effect on them, too. Whether they left for wetter areas, couldn’t find enough insects to eat, or just were morose and stopped talking, it’s hard to say. That’s part of what I was searching for when I went wandering — something about drought and frogs. But I’m hearing a few now, and it’s a delight.
Of course, we don’t have as many as those on the bayous and creeks. There’s nothing I love more than listening to a whole chorus of different species.
Of course, while frogs are the subject, we shouldn’t forget Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”!
Ah, wonderful!! I’m glad you researched the links — some of them are the biggie conservationist groups, trying to help these amazing little guys (specifically).
I have heard that the frog populations will move, when needed — and I hope that’s the case with many areas. But the overall numbers are too frightening to consider; we MUST implement protection laws for these and other guys, a la other countries.
Heh, yay!! THANK you for bringing up the wonderful Mark Twain story! 🙂
By all means, save the frogs. I remember as a child, I could always find frogs, but I haven’t seen any frogs in the wild since my elementary school days. Where have all the frogs gone? I wonder if blessing water and raising frequency of water will help frogs deal with toxins.
YES!!! They obviously need our help… We really, really need to implement some of the protection laws that other countries have already moved forward with — sniff.
I love your idea; I’ve never actually considered that! I know Dr. Emoto has done similar studies with large bodies of water; I thoroughly believe in that concentrated power.
Somebody ought to devote their career to studying amphibians in relation to pollution in FL. Or maybe that persons exists.
WONDERFUL idea / concept — especially in FLA’s unique world of special ecosystems… and sadly, over-development.
Hmmmm….? 🙂
Cool facts……Goliath Frog – blimey!! that’s hard to imagine. I’m with you on the first photo, he’s brilliant, he just doesn’t look impressed,love it! 🙂
Hee, thanks so much! I just love that guy… I seriously spent an inordinate amount of time with him, it was hysterical. 🙂
Hi, Fey. Sorry to be remiss on visiting. I did not know about the plight of frogs. What an interesting fact page. I can use this in my classes. Thanks, and best wishes!
Hi..I moved my RamblingWoods blog to address myramblingwoods.com so I can have some piece before the spammers find me again…
Love your facts and fantasy!! Charming pics and photos too!
Your poor comment was spammed for some reason, poo! I’m so sorry this is late… But THANK you!! 🙂
haha!! You’re welcome and no worries, it’s happened to me too!
I will be back to visit again-a wealth of knowledge-I LOVE to learn! Never knew the frog was around that long. I dug up a toad one spring. It was SOOO funny, I dug down to turn some dirt and pulled him out in my clump but did not see him at first. I flipped the dirt over next to the hole + there was my BUDDY on his back! He was a “toad” and the same color as the soil. I have to admit he did not move at first but I noticed his eyes open, I screamed for all I saw were his eyes! I then realized he was my buddy:-) I had seen the previous year. My dog was bugging him and I had to take her inside so he could get away. I gently put him back in the hole and moved my plant to another spot-poor guy!
Love your photos-attention to detail and oh what a beauty-all those patterns!
I would love a pond on my property but our lot is not large enough:-(
Hahahah! I love it! You know, the EXACT same thing happened to me, in my old herb garden. I was digging, DEEP, and came up with a small box turtle! I had NEVER seen one in these parts — very uncommon – and I was so terrified I hurt him. I dug another hole for him, left his poor shocked self to recuperate… and I hope to this day he’s OK. 🙂
Frogs / Toads really are amazing creatures — and their impact on ecosystems all over the world is fascinating, and a bit frightening given their status today.
THANKS so much for your kind words!! I’m learning from your blog, too — I just love it.
Now this post right here is going to be my 2nd grader’s reading for this evening! We LOVE frogs btw. Thank you for the valuable work that you’re doing. I can feel your heart poured out into every page of this blog. Love, Sharon
Isn’t this fantastic? I love all the weird and wacky and TRUE facts about this critical species. I hope your 2nd-grader approves, heeee! 🙂
p.s.: I have a post going live later this week on frogs — it’s their day in the sun!