The bone structures are similar in that each extremity contains two sections.

However, instead of two legs and two arms, as in humans, frogs have four legs. Likewise, human and frog bone structure is quite similar. Although frogs don’t resemble humans in their outward appearance, humans and frogs have many similar organs.įor instance, people and frogs alike, have a heart, lungs, a stomach, a pancreas, a liver, a gallbladder, and intestines. Now that we have an adult frog to examine, let’s look at some interesting facts about frog biology as they relate to humans. The tail fully disappears and the result is an adult frog. The tadpole gills required to live underwater, make way for lungs, which allow the froglet to live on land. At this point, a very small version of a frog is taking shape.įinally, as part of one of the most fascinating stages of metamorphosis, the tadpole turns into what is considered a froglet. Also, the tadpole’s large intestine shrinks to accommodate the new meat-eating diet.Īs the limbs grow, the tail disappears, and a frog-like face forms, the skull transforms from cartilage into bone. Insects make up the frog’s meat-eating diet that replaces the tadpole’s original vegetarian diet.

These are the muscles we see adult frogs use to skillfully catch insects. During metamorphosis, the teeth disappear, allowing tongue muscles to develop. Initially, tadpoles have tiny teeth they use to eat plants and algae which are plentiful in the rainy season. This occurs in a similar way as that which takes place in mammal embryos, but much later in the growth process. After that time, a process called metamorphosis begins.ĭuring metamorphosis, nearly all the tadpole’s organs change so they can transform from an underwater creature to one that can live on land (terrestrial).

The food chain naturally dictates that a large number of the eggs and tadpoles will be eaten by other creatures, or will die off due to other natural means.ĭepending on the type of frog, the tadpoles will remain in their aquatic form for six to twelve weeks. It is important to note at this point that not all larvae will become tadpoles, and not all tadpoles will become frogs. They survive on a diet of algae and other plant life and resemble a fish more than a frog. In a short period of time, generally about a week, the larvae will become a tadpole. The process of forming the skeleton and backbone is what makes the amphibian so interesting. The amphibian by definition is a cold-blooded, vertebrate animal that falls within a group that is comprised of frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.Īmphibians start out with a preliminary structure that does not much resemble their adult skeleton. On the other hand, the invertebrates most commonly known by people are spiders and insects. Vertebrates are creatures that have backbones, while invertebrates are those without a backbone.Īmong the vertebrates that people are most familiar with are mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Generally, all animals fall into one of two classes vertebrates or invertebrates. So let’s take a look at the facts behind this answer. If you studied at all, you knew the answer was, “ yes, amphibians do have backbones”. You just needed to pass the test at the end of the week. And did you really care back then? Probably not. Do amphibians have backbones? The last time you needed to know this was most likely for your high school Biology class.

Does a snake have a backbone