The Topic: Frogs and Toads Easier - A frog is a small tailless amphibian animal. They have smooth, moist skin, long hind legs, webbed feet, and bulging eyes. As amphibians, frogs live in water during the first part of their lives and in or near water as adults. Frogs are good swimmers and can make long jumps. Frogs spend more of their time in water than their close relative, toads.   Very much like a frog, toads are also small tailless amphibians, but they have dry, rough skin. When grown, toads live mostly on land.   Harder - Frogs and toads comprise the order Anura, or Salientia, one of the three main groups of amphibians. There are about 3,500 known species of frogs and 300 kinds of toads. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. Some types spend their entire life in or near water, but others live mainly on land and come to the water only to mate. A few other species never enter the water. Some frogs and toads are climbers that dwell in trees or burrowers that live underground.   Generally, toads have a broader, flatter body and darker, drier, bumpy skin than most frogs. Toads also have shorter, less powerful back legs. Toads have a pair of parotoid glands located on the top of their heads. These glands produce a poison that can make people ill or cause eye irritation. Some frogs have poison glands that oozes onto their skin. If an enemy grabs the frog, the poison repels the predator.   Frogs and toads are cold-blooded animals; their bodies are the same temperature as their surroundings. They avoid direct sunlight and heat and are more active at night or on rainy days. Bulging eyes give them fairly good eyesight with the ability to see in almost any direction. Most frogs also have a thin, partly clear inner eyelid called the nictitating membrane. This membrane can move upward, covering and protecting their eyes without completely blocking their vision. Most frogs hear sounds via the tympanum or eardrum disk, that is located behind each eye. Their sense of touch is also well developed, especially in those species living in water. Frogs call out to each other, mainly during the mating season. Toads and frogs have a long, sticky tongue that is hinged at the front of the mouth, allowing it to rapidly flip out and capture insect prey.   Frogs and Toads at Enchanted Learning http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/frog.shtml Start learning about frogs and toads. Related Websites: 2) All About Frogs for Kids and Teachers from Kiddyhouse http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Themes/frogs/ 3) Frog Fun http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/webquests/frogs/frog_fun/frog_fun.html 4) Frogs and Toads from Kids Ark http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/frogs.htm 5) Froggy Page by S. Loosemoore http://www.frogsonice.com/froggy/ 6) Frog Pond from Rainforest Alliance http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids&teachers/kids/frog-pond/index.html 7) Frogs - Welcome to Our Pad http://www.tooter4kids.com/Frogs/Frog_Index.htm 8) Hop to It! - Irish Frog Survey http://www.ipcc.ie/hoptoitintro.html 9) Lily Pad http://www.thelilypad.org/ 10) Somewhat Amusing World of Frogs by C. Latham from Charles Stuart University http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/commerce/account/frogs/frog.htm   Frogland http://allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml This comprehensive frog site contains a lot of 'froggy' fun plus tons of information. Some of the Not-To-Be-Missed Sections: 2) Frogs and Toads http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/general/frogtoad.html 3) Leaping Pad http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/resources/leaping/index.html 4) Regional Guides http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/resources/leaping/regional.html 5) Some Strange but True Facts about Frogs And Toads!!! http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/weird.html 6) Species Caresheets http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/species/index.html 7) Toads in Our Earthy Environment by E. Kuulkers http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~erik/toad/toad_front.html   Frogs from Exploratorium http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/ This site includes neat froggy activities, stories, and cool information. Be sure to check out the frog tracker for great frog sounds. More Frogs Sites: 2) Frogs from University of Wisconsin Sea Grant http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/frogs/   Thousand Friends of Frogs by L.A. Caple at Ctr. for Global Environmental Education, Hamline University http://cgee.hamline.edu/frogs/ Hop around this website to find useful facts, information and resources about frogs and toads, and learn how to get involved with the project.   After exploring several of the websites, complete one or more of these activities.   Play Some Online Frog Games. You may want to start with the Froggy Zigsaw! Then, find lots more online frog activities at Interactive Froggy Fun and Games from Frogland.   Send A Frog Post Card. Follow the instructions found at Online Virtual Frog Photography Greeting Cards .   Color A Frog. You can start by printing out some of the coloring pages at (1) Color Me Frog! from Frogland, (2) Frogs from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or (3) Frogs Themed Coloring Pages. Or better yet, draw and color your own original frog pictures. Display them in your frog gallery.   Fold An Origami Frog. Follow the instructions found at (1) Jumping Frog Origami from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, (2) Make an Origami Jumping Frog by D. Farrelly, (3) How to Make an Origami Jumping Frog at Froggyville, or (4) How to Make Origami Frogs from University of Wisconsin Sea Grant.   Take An Online Frog Quiz. See how you do with the quiz found at Frogs from National Geographic. Afterwards, create your own quiz. Test it with your friends and family.   Complete A Frog WebQuest. Adapt or follow the instructions found at the following webQuest sites. 1) Frogs by M. Aranjo (Grade 1) http://www.milton.k12.vt.us/WebQuests/MAranjo/Frogs.htm 2) Frogs by M. Boehning (Grades 8-10) http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq107/ 3) Frog Finds His Family (Grade K) by S. Schwartz http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/frogs/ 4) Frog WebQuest by E. Campbell http://www.radford.edu/~sbisset/wqfrog.htm 5) Hopping into Frogs by L. Penland http://edtech.fc.peachnet.edu/~lpenland/frog_webquest_htm.htm   Dissect A Frog Online. You might want to start with Anatomy of a Frog. Follow with a visit to one or more of the following frog dissection sites: 1) Dissect - A - Frog by J. Nach http://members.tripod.com/~NachFamily/Joe/ 2) Froguts http://www.froguts.com/ 3) Interactive frog Dissection by M Kinzie from Curry School of Education, University of Virginia http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/frog/home.html and http://teach.virginia.edu/go/frog/menu.html 4) Whole Frog Project from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory http://www-itg.lbl.gov/Frog/   Raise A Few Tadpoles. Before you start, you should know how to care for tadpoles before you collect them. Find some help at (1) Raising Tadpoles from Missouri Conservationist Online. Remember in many states, you must have a valid fishing or small game license in order to collect frog eggs or tadpoles. In some locations, you may be able to purchase frog eggs or tadpoles at a pet supply. You will also find useful information and ideas at these websites: 2) How Can I Raise Tadpoles? from Queensland Museum http://www.qmuseum.qld.gov.au/features/frogs/attracting_tadpoles.asp 3) How to Raise Tadpoles http://australianfrogs.7p.com/faq/how_to_raise_tadpoles.htm 4) How to Raise Tadpoles http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/POtads.htm 5) How to Raise Tadpoles from Frogland http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/tadpoles/ 6) How to Raise a Tadpole from Pet Place http://aolsvc.petplace.aol.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=1361 7) Raising Tadpoles from Frog City http://www.politickles.com/frogcity/tadpoles.html 8) Set Up A Tadpole Tank http://australianjoeyscouts1.4t.com/frog/frgact.html 9) Toad and Frog Tadpoles http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/tadpoles.htm   Participate In Frogwatch. In recent years, scientists have noticed a disturbing trend among frog and toad populations. Throughout the world, amphibians are disappearing at an alarming rate. You can help scientists learn more about trends in amphibian populations by participating in Frogwatch. Anyone can participate; all you need is an interest in frogs and toads. Find out more at these websites: United States: (1) Frogwatch USA http://www.frogwatch.org/ and (2) http://www.nwf.org/keepthewildalive/frogwatch-app/index.htm Canada: (1) Frogwatch http://www.cnf.ca/frog/ and (2) Frogwatch http://www.naturewatch.ca/english/select_province.html Australia: (1) Alcoa Frog Watch http://heini.museum.wa.gov.au/frogwatch/pages/frames.html   Compare and Contrast Frogs and Toads. Use a Venn diagram to display your findings on how frogs and toads are alike and different. You can print out a Venn Diagram Worksheet.   Enter Into An Online Frog Mystery. The frogs were disappearing. She walked into my office late one day and brought trouble with her. The first thing I noticed were her legs. They were long. Come to think of it they were green, too, with funny little webbed feet. She looked at me with those big bulging eyes and I knew she needed help. I took her arm and hopped her over to a chair. Her skin was moist. She told me her offspring were missing . . . all three thousand of them. Welcome to "The Case of the Disappearing Frogs" brought to you by the Oregon Coast Aquarium.   Follow The Story Of Frederick The Bullfrog. Learn all about frogs and their habitats as you explore Something Froggy from Franklin Institute. The site contains two versions: One for Grades K-3 and the other for Grades 4-8.   Websites By Kids For Kids Frog Home Page (1996 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/2801/ Kids at a Minnesota school decided to look for a scientific reason for all the deformed frogs in local ponds.   Frogs (2001 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110059/ This site has information about frogs - tree frogs, rainforest frogs, frog myths, and even a frog fairy tale.   Frogs (Section of Virtual Zoo, 1997 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/11922/amphibians/frogs.htm This site provides introductory information on frogs.   Frogs of New England (1997 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/11034/ This project site tells you about the different species of frogs in New England, as well as basic frog anatomy, biology, and more.   Tadpoles from Avocado Elementary School http://avocado.dade.k12.fl.us/projects/tadpoles/index.html Learn about a class's study of tadpoles in their school fish pond.   More Websites AquaFacts: Frogs from Vancouver Aquarium http://www.vanaqua.org/Visitor_Information/AquaFacts/Frogs.htm This site answers frequently-asked questions about frogs. Related Website: 2) Information and Facts on Frogs http://www.lookd.com/frogs/   FrogWeb: Amphibian Declines & Deformities from Center for Biological Informatics, U.S. Geological Survey http://frogweb.gov/index.html Amphibian deformities have been documented in 44 states, and involve nearly 60 species. In addition,amphibian declines are particularly serious in California, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and Puerto Rico. Worldwide, decline "hot spots" also include Australia and Central America. Related Websites: 2) Deformed Frogs in Minnesota from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency http://www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/frogs.html 3) Freaky Frogs from PBS Online Newhour http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec96/frogs_12-23.html 4) Frogs from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency http://www.pca.state.mn.us/kids/frogsforkids.html#mnfrogs 5) MNCS Frog Project http://www.mncs.k12.mn.us/html/projects/frog/frog.html 6) North American Reporting Center for Amphibian Malformations (NARCAM) http://www.npsc.nbs.gov/narcam/ 7) Research News about Malformed Frogs in Minnesota from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency http://www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/frog-latest.html   Frogs and Toads in Color and Sound by L. Elliott from NatureSound Studio http://www.naturesound.com/frogs/frogs.html Twelve photographs are featured in this photo-album, along with RealAudio sound recordings of each species' calls. Related Websites: 2) Charles Bogert's Wonderful World of Frogs and Croaks http://www.folkways.si.edu/frogmain.htm 3) Frog Calls from Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/chordata/lissamphibia/frog_calls.html   Frogs.Org from Amphibian Conservation Alliance http://www.frogs.org/index.asp This organization works to protect frogs and other amphibians.   Hoppy Together! by B. Santore http://www.hoppytogether.com/ Do you have a pet frog? Are you thinking about purchasing a pet frog? Or maybe you're just interested in learning more about frogs? If so, you've come to the right place! Other Websites About Frog & Toad Pets: 2) Frog & Toad Forum from Kingsnake.com http://forum.kingsnake.com/frog/ 3) Frog Doctor from Frogland http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/doctor/sick.html 4) Species Caresheets from Frogland http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/species/index.html   Jurassic Frogs by F. Flam from Franklin Institute Online http://sln2.fi.edu/inquirer/frog.html Learn about a reconstructed skeleton of a frog that hopped among the dinosaurs nearly 200 million years ago.   What's the Difference Between a Frog and a Toad? from Ask Earl at Yahooligans! http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20001031.html Start learning the difference here. Related Questions for Earl: 2) Can a Toad Give You Warts? http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20001123.html 3) How Many Species of Frogs are in the U.S.? http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20020618.html    Regional Sites for Frogs and Toads Africa: Frogs of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya by R.C. Drewes Australia: (1) Amphibian Gateway from Amphibian Research Centre, (2) World of Frogs from Melbourne Zoo, (3) Eleven Tasmanian Frogs, (4) Frog Files, (5) Frogs at Bushy Park Wetlands in Melbourne Australia, (6) Frogs of Tasmania, (7) Queensland's Common Frogs Canada: (1) Nova Scotia Frogs from Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, (2) Key to BC Frogs and Toads from BC Frogwatch Japan: Frogs and Toads of Japan   United States Great Lakes Region: Frogs (U.S. Great Lakes watershed area) from University of Wisconsin Southwestern US Region: Westward Frogs (American West)   Alaska: Frogs and Toads from AK Department of Fish and Game California: (1) California Frogs and Toads, (2) Frogs and Toads of Coastal Southern California Connecticut: Connecticut Frogs from CT Museum of Natural History at UConn Georgia: (1) Frogs and Toads of Georgia by W.W. Knapp, (2) Frogs and Toads of the Savanna River Site from Univ. of Georgia Florida: (1) Frogs and Toads of Florida, (2) Frogs and Toads of Florida from Cooperative Extension Service, University of FL, (3) Frogs and Toads Illinois: Frogs and Toads of the Chicago Region by E. Beltz Indiana: Frogs and Toads of Indiana from IN Dept. of Natural Resources Kentucky: Frogs and Toads of Kentucky from Western KY University Michigan: Michigan Frogs & Toads Minnesota: (1) Mn Frogs and Toads from Ctr for Global Environmental Education, Hamline University, (2) Frogs and Toads from MN Dept. of Natural Resources Missouri: Missouri's Toads and Frogs from MO Conservation Commission Ohio: Introduction to the Natural History of the Frogs and Toads of Ohio by T.O. Matson Tennessee: (1) Frogs and Toads of Tennessee from TN Department of Environment and Conservation, (2) Frogs and Toads of Tennessee Texas: Frogs and Toads of Texas Virginia: Frogs and Toads of Virginia West Virginia: Frogs & Toads of West Virginia from Marshall University Wisconsin: Know Your Frogs from WI Department of Natural Resources   Frog and Toad Species Species Caresheets from Frogland http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/species/index.html Poison Frogs: (1) Poison Frogs from Digital Dendrobates Tree Frog: (1) Complete Treefrog Homepage, (2) Tropical Tree Frogs by G.R. Urquhart Water Frogs: (1) Water Frog Info Pool Wood Frogs: (1) Wood Frogs from Nature North   African Clawed Frog: (1) African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) by A. Beck Blue Poison Frog: (1) Blue Poison Frog from Henson Robinson Zoo, (2) Blue Poison Arrow Frog from Nashville Zoo Bullfrog: (1) Bullfrog from Canadian Museum of Nature, (2) North American Bullfrog from The Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, (3) North American Bullfrog California Red-legged Frog: (1) California Red-legged Frog from Center for Biological Diversity, (2) Fabled California Red-legged Frog Listed as Threatened Cane Toad: (1) Cane Toad (Bufo marinus), (2) Cane Toads - Bufo marinus from Australian Museum Online, (3) Cane Toads from Tropical Savannas CRC Chorus Frog: (1) Chorus Frog from Canadian Museum of Nature Firebellied Toad: (1) Firebellied Toad-World, (2) Fire Bellied Toad (Bombina Species) FAQ by M. Staniszewski Great Basin Spadefoot: (1) Great Basin Spadefoot from British Columbia Frogwatch Program Green Frog: (1) Green Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program Leopard Frog: (1) Leopard Frog from Canadian Museum of Nature Leopard Frog, Northern: (1) Status of Northern Leopard Frog from Sustainable Resource Development, Government of Alberta, (2) Northern Leopard Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program Leopard Frog, Southern: (1) Southern Leopard Frog from Iowa Herpetology, (2) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia) Mantella: (1) Mantella FAQ by M.S. Staniszewski, (2) Mantellas Oregon Spotted Frog: (1) Oregon Spotted Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program Oriental Fire-bellied Toad: (1) Oriental Fire-bellied Toad from Utah's Hogle Zoo Pacific Tree Frog: (1) Pacific Tree Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program Poison Arrow Frog: (1) Poison Arrow Frog Poison Dart Frog: (1) Poison Dart Frog from National Aquarium in Baltimore, (2) Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio) from Virtual Rainforest, (4) Poison-Dart Frog Webring Red-eyed Tree Frog: (1) Red-eyed Tree Frog from The Belize Zoo, (2) Red-Eyed Tree Frog from Nashville Zoo, (3) Red-eyed Tree Frog from Honolulu Zoo Red-legged Frog: (1) Red-legged Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program , (2) Red- Legged Frog (rana aurora)  South African Burrowing Bullfrog: (1) South African Burrowing Bullfrog from Oakland Zoo Tailed Frog: (1) Tailed Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program Western Toad: (1) Western Toad from British Columbia Frogwatch Program White's Tree Frog: (1) White's Tree Frog Wood Frog: (1) Wood Frog from British Columbia Frogwatch Program, (2) Wood Frog from Nature North Zine   Websites For Teachers Frog and Toad are Friends (Grades K-3) from Schools of California Online Resources for Educators (SCORE) http://netro.ajou.ac.kr/~lastfrog/frog/froggy/origami/origami.html This cyberguide provides Internet resources for learning interesting facts about frogs and toads, looking at friendship, and drawing and writing about a special friend.   Frog and Toad (Grade 2) by J. Epps from AskERIC http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Interdisciplinary/INT0024.html Using stories in the book Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel, these activities allow for creative thinking and writing, reading and analysis of characters, affective education, mathematics beyond computation, inventing, geography, biological science and development of research skills. Other Frog Lessons: 2) Frogs: A Thematic Unit Plan (Grade 2) by L. Turturice from AskERIC http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Interdisciplinary/INT0025.html   Frog and Toad Theme by K. Johnson from 2 Care 4 Kids http://www.angelfire.com/mn/kellyshouse/curriculum/themes/frogandtoad.html Find lots of activity ideas at this website.   Frogs and Toads (Grades 4-5) from E-Tutor http://www.e-tutor.com/demo/lessons/2/index.htm#top Welcome to the green world of frogs and toads. This is a 9-part lesson plan.   Frogs and Toads Are Different - But Still Friends (Grade 2) by P. Argotsinger from Teachers Net http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/1027.html Students will be able to identify the unique characteristics of frogs and toads. They will compare and contrast the two amphibians using facts and using the stories written by Arnold Lobel.   Frogs: Fact and Folklore (Grades 6-8) from Discovery School http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/frogs/index.html This lesson helps students understand the importance of frogs in their local ecosystem and why frogs are uniquely suited to their habitat.   Frogs - Tadpoles Theme from A to Z TeacherStuff http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/frogs.shtml Here is a large collection of links to lesson plans and resources for building a theme or unit on frogs. Related Websites: 2) Frog Lesson Plans from The Teachers Guide http://www.theteachersguide.com/froglessonplans.htm 3) Frog Theme http://australianjoeyscouts1.4t.com/frog/frgthm.html 4) Frog theme from Everything PreSchool http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/frog/   Raising Frogs in the Classroom by D.J. Watermolen, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/teacher/frogact.htm Hatching frog eggs and raising larval amphibians to metamorphosis can be a fascinating and educational experience for children and adults alike, and can add immensely to the enjoyment of these creatures.   T is for Tadpole; F is for Frog (Grades 1-3) by V. Hubbard, K. Anderson, & S. Parkin http://etc.sccoe.k12.ca.us/I99/frog.html In this unit, students raise tadpoles in a classroom aquarium, observe the metamorphosis and development of frogs, and research the basic needs of tadpoles developing into frogs.   frog pond life croak wetland hop Anura camouflage dissect frog leg poison tadpole river Frogtown moist skin herpetologist webbed feet water cold blooded short legs eggs frog anatomy green breathe through skin froglet insect animal smooth skin rough skin land long legs slime hibernate snake carnivore spawn jumping amphibian metamorphose Kermit embryo trees & forest toad        Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 11/02.