MUSHALAEZRA 
Have you ever encountered a dead frog and wondered why it was flipped over and lying upside down? This happens for a very interesting reason. Frogs do not die on their backs. Instead, often flip onto their backs due to the relaxation of their muscles. This relaxation, in addition to their rounded body shape, makes … Read more
Toads and other amphibians are most active in the warm spring and summer months. During hot periods in the summer, it’s common to see toads burrowing and burying themselves in the sand. Toads burrow in the summer to cool off from the hot temperatures. Sand is a poor thermal conductor, so a toad buried in … Read more
Toads are very secretive creatures. They are most active in the dark and twilight hours, and when inactive, many toads have a habit of burying themselves in dirt. Toads bury themselves in the dirt for several reasons, including cooling off from the heat, hiding from predators, hibernating, and ambushing prey. Many species of toads have … Read more
Most frogs are either nocturnal or crepuscular and are most active in the dark and twilight hours. When inactive, may frogs will burrow is soft soil or mud. But have you ever wondered why frogs burrow? Frogs burrow for a variety of reasons, such as to cool off or stay warm, to hide from predators, … Read more
If you ever tried to pick a frog up, there is a very good chance it may pee on you. But have you ever wondered why frogs have this behavior? Frogs may pee on you when you pick them up as a defense mechanism to avoid being eaten. It is a sign the frog feels … Read more
Frogs are amphibians, which means they live part of their lives in water and part on land. They have different ways of breathing in each of these unique environments. All frogs breathe through their skin in a process known as cutaneous respiration. In addition to breathing through the skin, frogs also have well-developed lungs which … Read more
Like most amphibians, salamanders have moist, semi-permeable skin essential for many vital functions. But have you ever wondered if salamanders breathe through their skin? All salamanders can breathe through their skin, in a process known as cutaneous respiration. Some salamanders have lungs, which they use to breathe in addition to their skin, but some are … Read more
On warm rainy nights in the spring, it is common to see salamanders and other frogs migrating to breeding sites, or hunting for food. However, when the daytime comes, salamanders become harder to find. Most salamander species are either nocturnal or crepuscular and are most active at night or in the low-light hours right before … Read more
Croaking is one of the most common noises made by frogs. On warm, rainy nights, it’s common to hear the croaking choruses of hundreds of frogs coming from ponds or other freshwater bodies nearby. But have you ever wondered why frogs seem to start and stop croaking at the same time? Frogs start and stop … Read more
Frogs are amphibians, which means they live part of their lives in water and part on land. They have adaptations that enable them to thrive in both environments. Frogs have webbed feet for swimming and propelling themselves through the water. When swimming, a frog will kick its hind legs in unison, generating a forward thrust … Read more